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Wednesday, May 21, 1997

At least two more weeks before team released to go to Nashville

HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Oilers have promised the team would play all its home games in Tennessee this fall.

But now Tennesseans must wait at least two weeks to see Harris County commissioners make good on the pledge. Although commissioners were meeting Tuesday, a vote on the Oilers' $5 million offer made in return for a release on their last year in the Astrodome was not on the agenda.

Harris County owns the Astrodome.

Because of Memorial Day week, June 3 is the earliest likely date the offer will be considered.

"We're in no rush," Harris County Judge Robert Eckels said. "We don't have a problem with it. We're just trying to get all of the paperwork together."

Part of that paperwork includes a final decision on how the city will be paid.

Houston Mayor Bob Lanier will wait until after commissioners vote before he strikes the city's final deal with the team.

As part of a court settlement, the Oilers had to get permission from the county, the city and Drayton McLane's Astrodome USA, the arena's operator, to be released from a promise to play the 1997 season in Houston.

But a prior deal between the Oilers and the parties was changed earlier this month, during a court-ordered mediation session between the Oilers and Astrodome USA.

The new deal pushed by McLane has the county taking $250,000 less from the Oilers, with the money going to the city, either directly or indirectly.

Astrodome USA would get $350,000 cash, and the company and Oilers will drop a claim to $2.5 million in revenues lost when the NFL canceled a 1995 preseason game because of problems with the Astroturf.

Lanier does not want the city's payment to come from the county.

"It has to come from the Oilers," City Attorney Gene Locke said.

The city and the Oilers are still negotiating the final agreement. Lanier likely will make the final decision because City Council does not have to approve such contracts.

Last week, the Shelby County Sports Authority voted unanimously to accept a lease agreement for the Oilers to play their 1997 and 1998 home games in the Liberty Bowl.

The team has an option for 1999 if a new stadium is not ready in Nashville for that season.

The team's first game in Tennessee would be an Aug. 31 regular season opener with the Oakland Raiders.

Eckels said Monday he has the votes to get the new deal passed in two weeks. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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