"GOOD START" TO HOUSTON ARENA TALKS WITH ROCKETS

          The Rockets and the Harris County-Houston Sports
     Authority said yesterday that "they are ready to form a
     partnership" to keep the team in Houston, according to Eric
     Berger of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE.  Rockets COO George
     Postolos said that the team "agreed to submit a list of
     'fundamentals' for a new downtown arena deal" to the Sports
     Authority by next week.  Postolos said after the meeting,
     "Today was ... a good start."  Berger adds that the Rockets
     have been "concerned" the Authority was "more concerned"
     with building a multipurpose arena for basketball, hockey
     and concerts rather "than for whom its tenants might be." 
     Berger adds that yesterday's announcement "essentially adds
     two months to the time pro-arena forces have to prepare for
     what is likely to be another" November referendum.  But
     Postolos added that the team "will continue to talk" to
     other cities about relocating (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 2/16).