The NFL is not seriously interested in giving Houston
another team, according to John McClain of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE,
who believes the city's "chain is being yanked" so it will
release Owner Bud Adams from his Astrodome lease, allowing him to
play in Nashville this coming season. McClain writes, once
Davidson County, TN, voters approve funding for the Oilers move,
the NFL "will do almost anything" to help the team leave,
including manipulating John Moores, who wants to bring a new team
to Houston, into convincing city officials to allow Adams to bolt
for Nashville this year. Oilers VP Mike McClure believes the
Oilers could move as late as July and play in Memphis' Liberty
Bowl in the interim (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/26).
NAME GAME: Meanwhile in Nashville, the NFL has sent out
feelers on a new name for the Oilers should they move. According
to Jeff Legwold of the TENNESSEAN, if the May 7 referendum
passes, the league will submit a list of 10-15 names for a name-
the-team contest. NFL sources have also said the team has
submitted "between four and six" new color combinations for
uniforms, one of which incorporates the red, white and blue of
TN's state flag (TENNESSEAN, 4/26).
