LACK OF HOTELS, DOME COULD STIFLE CHARLOTTE'S SUPER BOWL BID

     NFL Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson is taking the first
steps toward bringing a Super Bowl to Charlotte some time after
2000, but factors out of his control could doom the bid before it
gets off the ground.  According to the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER,
Richardson has begun discussions with the NFL, but Charlotte
would need "a major building boom" to meet requirements," due to
a lack of hotel space and other "enticements."  Additionally, the
NFL requires any Super Bowl city with a mean January temperature
below 50 degrees to have a domed stadium.  Charlotte's average
winter temperature is just over 40 degrees, and the new Carolinas
Stadium is open-air.  Richardson:  "The hurdle we're going to
have to get over is an expensive proposition.  The community will
have to step it up.  I don't know how much, but the payback is
off the charts" (Chandler, Green & Clarke, CHARLOTTE OBSERVER,
1/22).