ROCKETS FACE BIG PEPSI CHALLENGE SINCE ARENA POURS COCA-COLA

          The Rockets and PepsiCo "trumpeted" a new sponsorship
     deal last week, "but if fans want to drink the official
     Rockets drink, they won't be able to do it at" The Summit,
     because Chuck Watson's Arena Operating Co. sells only Coca-
     Cola products, according to Chris Carroll in the HOUSTON
     BUSINESS CHRONICLE.  The realization "doesn't concern"
     PepsiCo and company spokesperson Keith Hughes says, "This is
     a deal where we're really looking to step outside the arena. 
     It goes beyond the 16,000 to 19,000 at the arena to the
     millions outside the arena."  Pepsi will be the exclusive
     beverage served at the Rockets training center at Westside
     Tennis Club.  Carroll adds the sponsorship deals PepsiCo
     struck last year "generally stayed inside the arena," citing
     deals with the Great Western Forum, St. Petersburg's
     Tropicana Field, the Seattle Kingdome and Phoenix's Banc One
     Ballpark (HOUSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/17).