The Oilers "took the opening move in a legal chess game" by
filing a federal lawsuit trying to stop Harris County, the city
of Houston and Astrodome USA from challenging the team's
anticipated move to Nashville, according to this morning's
HOUSTON CHRONICLE. After the suit was filed, District Judge Lynn
Hughes issued a temporary restraining order preventing the
county, city or dome from taking legal or administrative action
against the team. Shortly before the injunction, Harris County
Commissioners voted to hire private attorneys to represent the
county if Oilers owner Bud Adams tries to move before his lease
expires in '97. Oilers attorney Phillip Sudan said the suit "is
aimed at anything that would keep the Oilers in Houston." The
Oilers' suit alleges that the city, county and Dome are
"conspiring to use legal and other tactics to keep the team in
Houston past the term of the lease" and "scaring off interested
parties" (John Williams, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/23). In Nashville,
David Climer notes the Oilers are the fourth opportunity the city
has had to land a pro team. Climer writes that if the Oilers
come to the Music City "it will mean previous futile attempts at
landing other premier sports franchises have been worth it"
(Nashville TENNESSEAN, 8/23).
