Former TX Secretary of State Jack Rains "is emerging as
the front runner" to chair the 13-member sports authority
being assembled by Houston Mayor Bob Lanier and Harris
County Judge Robert Eckels, according to John Williams of
the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Sources told Williams that others,
however, are still being considered for the position,
including former Univ. of TX Regent Robert Cruikshank.
Eckels and Lanier, who each will name six board members and
together will appoint the chair, "hope" to make the
announcements Friday, though the two could postpone it until
early next week. The board will oversee plans for the
Astros' $250M ballpark and possibly other sports facilities
(HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/21).
OUT OF THE LOOP? In Dallas, Ken Stephens examines the
Dallas Int'l Sports Commission (DISC), which lost out on the
'98 Goodwill Games to New York City and shut down in April
'96. The DISC's "biggest success came in helping to
convince" former Stars Owner Norm Green to move his NHL team
from MN in '93. The commission "also helped the Dallas
Figure Skating Club prepare a bid that brought Skate America
... to Dallas for one year. But there were too few other
success stories" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/21).
