Houston NFL expansion franchise Owner Bob McNair
yesterday endorsed the downtown arena proposal, saying that
"its passage would help revitalize the area," according to
John Williams of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. The endorsement
follows "assurances" from Harris County-Houston Sports
Authority (HSA) Chair Billy Burge that "there will be enough
money to build the arena and football stadium." As part of
that assurance, Burge "indicated" that a $2 tax "would be
placed on each ticket to the arena" that would generate
"about" $30M for the HSA, which "anticipates cost overruns
for the football stadium." Arena proponents "sought
McNair's endorsement" and hoped it would "neutralize
referendum opposition" from IHL Aeros Owner Chuck Watson,
who is "expected" to have a 15% stake in McNair's new NFL
franchise. Earlier, Houston Mayor Lee Brown said "that
unless the arena proposal passes, McNair might not get
additional public funds for the football stadium. Such talk
angered Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, who implied that
McNair's endorsement was the result of extortion." Brown:
"He (Eckels) knows it's insulting for him to say Mr. McNair
is being extorted" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/28).
SUPPORT IN THE MIDDLE: Rockets C Hakeem Olajuwon writes
an op-ed in today's HOUSTON CHRONICLE under the header,
"High Time For Us To Build A New Arena In Houston" (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 10/28). The HOUSTON CHRONICLE comes out in
support of the arena plan: "The arena will be an asset to
Houston, particularly to the vital inner city, and we
believe voters, in their wisdom, fairness and self-interest,
will recognize that reality" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/28).
