WILL MCNAIR FACE TEXAS-SIZE FINANCIAL PROBLEM MINUS ARENA?

          Harris County-Houston Sports Authority (HSA) Chair
     Billy Burge "has warned" Houston NFL team Owner Bob McNair
     that there "won't be enough money for a football stadium" if
     a proposal for a new downtown arena doesn't pass, according
     to sources of John Williams of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE.  
     Ticket and parking tax revenues "generated by an arena would
     give" the HSA about $30M "to help pay for the arena [while]
     freeing other money to pay" for the football stadium.  But
     should the arena vote fail, HSA "won't be able to cover an
     anticipated" 10% overrun for a projected $310M stadium. 
     Sources added that the HSA "likely will agree to pay the
     higher stadium costs" if McNair "agrees to endorse" the
     arena plan.  McNair's support is "seen as pivotal in a tight
     [political] race," as "pro-arena forces" believe McNair's
     endorsement "will help neutralize opposition" by IHL Aeros
     Owner Chuck Watson (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/27).