STATE OF THE STADIUM: THE BUD BOWL

     Oilers Owner Bud Adams had discussed the idea of a new
publicly-financed, state-of-the-art domed facility for his team
in downtown Houston or in the surrounding area.  But lack of
public support killed the proposal in late September.  Today, we
look at the Astrodome and their lease with the Oilers -- No. 29
in our series of 30 profiles.


  
 
    
 
      
STADIUM:
    
    
 
      
Astrodome, 
        Houston, TX
    
  
  
 
    
AGE:
    
Completed in 1965
  
  
 
    
COST:
    
Original 
      cost of $31.6M. Approximately $100M additional has been spent on the Astrodome 
      and accompanying Astrohall and Astro areana improvements.
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
    
MANAGEMENT:
    
Astrodome 
      is operated by Astrodome USA, a sister company of the Astros, which manages 
      the facility under a lease with Harris County, TX.
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
    
CAPACITY:
    
59,905 -- 3rd lowest 
      in the NFL.
  
  
 
    
LUXURY 
      SEATS:
    
65 "Columbia" 
      Suites, 52 Sky boxes. Columbia Suites and Sky Boxes are controlled for football 
      by the Oilers who operate and retain all revenues.
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
    
PARKING:
    
Parking 
      for 25,000 cars -- $4-5 a car. Oilersretain 6,500 spaces and receive all 
      revenue. Astrodome USA retains 18,500 spaces and all revenue.
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
    
CONCESSIONS:
    
Handled 
      by ARA. Team receives 46.5% of Astrodome USA's net revenues for all football 
      games.
  
  
 
  
 
    
ADVERTISING:
    
Astrodome 
      USA retains all revenues from fixed advertising. Oilers receive 50% of Diamond 
      Vision Video revenue.
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
    
GAME-DAY:
    
Astrodome 
      pays for utilities, parking and traffic personnel. Oilers pay all other 
      game-day expenses.
  
  
 
  
 
    
MAINTENANCE:
    
County pays all capital 
      maintenance/improvements.
  
  
 
    
RENT:
    
Maximum 
      rent at current prices and capacity is $1,650,000.00 
  
  
 
  
 
    
LEASE:
    
Expires in '97.
  
  
 
    
PUBLIC $:
    
Team receives no governmental 
      subsidies.
  

(Source: Mike McClure, Oilers Exec VP).