FOOTBALL TALKS TAKE A BACK SEAT TO ASTROS IN HOUSTON

     When asked about a new NFL franchise in Houston, Harris
County Judge Robert Eckels said, "Right now, we don't know what
direction to take until the baseball issue is decided.  It's
really on the back burner," according to John Williams of the
HOUSTON CHRONICLE.  Eckels has assumed responsibility for "coming
up" with a new facility to attract another NFL team once the
Oilers depart, but despite a "rash of negotiations" that
concluded in June, "little has been done to attract another
team."  Eckels is heading negotiations with Astros Owner Drayton
McLane about a new ballpark for the Astros, and according to
Eckels, until the county knows where the Astros will be playing,
football will not be addressed.  Williams notes the longer Eckels
talk with McLane, the "less likely" it is he can put together a
football financing package for a November 5 referendum, when he
also hopes to have a baseball stadium referendum ready.