TEXAS TANGLE CONTINUES OVER OILERS LEASE ARRANGEMENTS

          While Houston Mayor Bob Lanier contends that the Oilers
     should pay Harris County at least $8M to get out of the last
     year of their ten-year Astrodome lease, the team says it
     should only pay about $2.7M, according to John Williams of
     the HOUSTON CHRONICLE.  Lanier came up with the $8M by
     taking one-tenth of $80M, the amount spent updating the
     Astrodome in '88.  The Oilers argue that since other
     Astrodome tenants, the Astros and the Houston Livestock Show
     and Rodeo, have also benefited from the improvements, they
     should only owe one-tenth of one-third of $80M.  Sources
     said Oilers Owner Bud Adams is "bristling" because he
     believes his current offer is more than what other teams
     that moved have had to pay to get out of their contracts." 
     Under the total package the Oilers are considering,
     including offering their practice site and an additional
     buyout to Astrodome USA, the team would pay $7.7M to get out
     of its final lease year (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/30).