Houston-based Reliant Energy is "expected" to pay
nearly $300M over 30 years to "splash its name" on the
city's new $367M football stadium for the Texans and the
Astrodome complex, according to Eric Berger of the HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, who writes the deal would be "by far" the "most
lucrative naming rights deal ever, both in total dollars and
number of years." The deal is yet to be signed, but
negotiators said that talks are "feverish," and a formal
announcement is "likely" next week. Berger cites sources
close to the talks as saying that Reliant would pay close to
$9M per year to name the facility and an additional $750,000
for the rights to name the Astrodome, the AstroArena, and a
new exposition center. Reliant's deal would include a
stadium suite and "extensive" advertising "throughout" the
new facility. An anonymous source from the Texans told
Berger that the $10M per year figure was "accurate" and that
Reliant had "beat out" Houston-based Dynegy. Dynegy Chair
and IHL Aeros Owner Chuck Watson is a minority shareholder
in the Texans (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/19).
CITY BACKS SUPER BOWL BID: Also in Houston, Rachel
Graves reports that the Houston City Council took "one of
the last steps" needed for Houston to make a "pitch" to host
the Super Bowl in 2004. The City Council agreed to provide
$400,000 in services during the event including security,
traffic control and signs (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/19).