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Wednesday, February 26, 1997

County commissioners approve Houston Oilers' buyout offer

By MICHAEL A. LUTZ AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON (AP) - Harris County commissioners approved a $5.25 million buyout offer from the Houston Oilers Tuesday.

However, the football team still needs permission from its lease-holder and the city before it can leave for Tennessee a year early.

The four commissioners and Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, the county's top executive, said little before unanimously confirming the deal that would pay the county $3.75 million and turn over the deed to the Oilers' $1.5 million practice facility.

But because of a 1995 federal court settlement, the Oilers also must negotiate an early release with Astrodome USA, holder of the stadium's master lease, and the city.

"We're more than happy to talk with the Oilers if they want to call us and attempt to work something out," Astrodome USA president Mike Puryear said. "There are two issues that we need to resolve, and I think they are aware of what issues."

One issue is a pending lawsuit over the cancellation of a preseason game last year amid controversy over the Astrodome's playing surface; the other is the remaining year on the Oilers' lease.

"I don't think we need to call them," Puryear said. "We think the ball's in their court."

Oilers spokesman David Pearson said the Oilers would maintain their policy of no comment.

The Oilers drew small crowds in the Astrodome last season as a lame-duck team planning to move to Nashville as soon as its lease expired after the 1997 season.

The team offered $50,000 to the city last week after Mayor Bob Lanier said he wanted to settle for $500,000. The two sides hardly have talked since.

"I'd just as soon they talk with (Astrodome USA)," Lanier said. "They are a bigger player than we are. The county is the biggest player and (Astrodome USA) is second."

A deal between the Oilers and Astrodome USA suggested last month was thrown out after Lanier demanded the team pay the city and county as well.

The Oilers would have given $1.2 million to Astrodome USA, owned by Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane Jr., and withdrawn a $2.5 million claim for revenue lost when the National Football League canceled a 1995 preseason game because of problems with the Astroturf.

Oilers owner Bud Adams agreed in the federal court settlement to play all home games in the Astrodome until the team's lease expired. In return, the city, county and Astrodome USA agreed not to interfere with the Oilers' negotiations with the city of Nashville, which is building a new stadium for the team.

Last weekend, Oilers officials toured the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, where they hope to play the 1997 and 1998 seasons before moving into their new stadium.

The Oilers, 8-8 last season, drew crowds of more than 50,000 for attractive matchups with Pittsburgh and San Francisco but fans disappeared when the team fell into a mid-season slump.

An all-time low crowd of 15,131 attended the Oilers' final home game of the season on Dec. 15, a 21-13 loss to Cincinnati. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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