ASTROS' MCLANE INKS WITH ARAMARK, INSTITUTES MINORITY PLAN

          Astros Owner Drayton McLane Jr. announced a 15-year
     concessionaire contract with ARAMARK "that includes a
     guarantee that at least 30% of the project will go to
     minority businessman," according to John Williams of the
     HOUSTON CHRONICLE.  The deal came after a promise McLane
     made in the fall of '96 to African-American and Hispanic
     leaders in return for their support of the construction of
     The Ballpark at Union Station.  The contract also has
     ARAMARK providing "at least $12M worth of additions" for
     concession equipment to the ballpark.  Over the next few
     months, ARAMARK will look for "local minority businessmen to
     acquire individual stakes in the concessions" (HOUSTON
     CHRONICLE, 12/17).  The deal begins with the opening of the
     ballpark in 2000.  ARAMARK hired the Houston-based law firm
     Wickliff & Hall to advise on the joint venture (Astros).