A new poll in Davidson County, TN, shows solid support for a
May 7 referendum to bring the Oilers to Nashville. The poll,
conducted for the Houston Chronicle and Nashville Tennessean,
shows 56% of likely voters support the $292M stadium relocation
deal for the Oilers that includes $80M in bonds to help finance
the facility, 34% oppose the referendum, and 10% are undecided.
Around 65% say an NFL team "will significantly benefit
Nashville's economy," and 57% believe the team will "create jobs
and produce enough tax revenue to offset the cost of attracting
the team." The poll, conducted by Mason-Dixon Political/Media
Research, has a margin of error of +/- 4%. The referendum has
"solid support" of whites (54%), blacks (63%), men (58%) and
women (54%). The two groups that are split are those over 45 and
those earning less than $37,000 annually. Other numbers: 34% of
respondents plan to purchase Oilers tickets; and 71% feel an NFL
team will greatly enhance Nashville's image (John Williams,
HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/30).
LEAGUE ELECTION DAY: NFL sources indicate owners, scheduled
to meet in Atlanta today, will vote to allow the Oilers to move
(HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/30). USA TODAY's Gorden Forbes notes that
in a memo to all 30 NFL teams, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue
says the Oilers have satisfied all relocation criteria (USA
TODAY, 4/30).
