They filled two of their biggest present needs while gambling with their future and increasing their payroll.

The company has quadrupled its revenues in the past six years and increased its payroll from 21 employees to 197 during the same time.

The moves increased the Mets' payroll but did not improve the team's performance on the field.

That allowed the Trail Blazers to increase their payroll and trade for him.

The company plans to hire another 25,000 employees over the next year, increasing its payroll by nearly 50 percent.

This détente paid off well for the Yankees as they increased their payroll.

Such benefit costs now increase the legitimate operation's payroll by 25 to 30 percent over that of the sweatshop.

Unofficially, his departure was caused by the city's refusal to increase the orchestra's payroll.

But that would mean increasing their payroll by about 20 percent, to more than $120 million; otherwise, they will have to find ways to cut costs.

It might prove difficult, however, since team management has decided not to increase the team's payroll for next season from $33 million.