NASHVILLE ALTERS OILERS LEASE WITH AN EYE TOWARD CONGRESS

     The Nashville Sports Authority, facing the threat of pending
federal legislation, yesterday altered its stadium lease with the
Oilers to guard against construction delays, according to John
Williams of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE.  The authority voted
unanimously to reschedule penalty payments it must make if a new
stadium is not ready by August '98.  The NSA also agreed to
"accelerate the payment" of $28M in relocation fees to the Oilers
"in anticipation that poor attendance at the Astrodome this year
will cause a financial burden for the team."  Nashville Metro
Finance Dir Joe Huddleston said officials are "concerned they may
have to postpone construction" due to a bill by U.S. Rep. Martin
Hoke that addresses franchise relocation.  If Hoke's bill is
still on the Congressional docket into the fall, construction
contracts could not be awarded and the project would be delayed.
But the new lease "stipulates penalties ranging" from $280,000 to
$1.25M per missed game will be "postponed accordingly" (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 5/15).