HOUSTON BUSINESS EXECS REPORTEDLY SHOW INTEREST IN VIKINGS

          Houston business exec Robert McNair and IHL Aeros Owner
     Chuck Watson, partners trying to return the NFL to Houston,
     "have spoken with the Vikings about purchasing the team,"
     according to Paula Parrish of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. 
     Citing a Houston Chronicle report, Parrish wrote the two
     plan to resume talking to the Vikings after the playoffs,
     and have told people around the league that they are
     interested in any team that is for sale (STAR TRIBUNE, 1/3).
          SALE TALK: In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman reported that
     Vikings President Roger Headrick "is working to get a group
     to buy the team that will keep him in his present position. 
     Rumor is that he has a group in Birmingham, Ala.,
     interested" (STAR TRIBUNE, 1/4).  In St. Paul, Charley
     Walters wrote that "word is" Headrick "has NFL backing in
     trying to acquire financing."  While former Vikings GM Mike
     Lynn has interest, Headrick "contends Lynn, who floundered
     when the NFL put him in charge of its world league several
     years ago, has 'zero' chance" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 1/4).