ROCKETS READY TO HEAR, "HOUSTON, WE ARE GO FOR LAUNCH"?

          Negotiators said the Harris County-Houston Sports
     Authority will present the outline of a new arena plan to
     the Rockets early next week, according to Eric Berger of the
     HOUSTON CHRONICLE, who wrote that "despite a lack of public
     fanfare," the Authority and the team "have been building
     momentum toward reaching a deal."  Berger wrote that "some
     potential pieces of the agreement are beginning to emerge,"
     including the location of the proposed arena and the
     possibility that the private money raised from sources
     "other than" team Owner Leslie Alexander "could be used in
     the new deal."  The Authority has $80-100M in public funds
     available for a new arena (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/25).