NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue "may not" go to Houston
to review the city's bid for an expansion team "unless local
officials finalize a stadium financing plan," according to
John Williams of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Williams cites an
unnamed source as saying, "If there isn't anything to show
him, there is no reason for him to be here." Harris County,
the local Sports Authority, the Houston Livestock and Rodeo
and Houston business exec Bob McNair "have been working" on
a plan for a retractable-roof stadium next to the Astrodome.
But Authority Vice Chair Billy Burge said that a letter
"cannot likely be signed by Monday," when Tagliabue is
scheduled to visit. Burge said that local officials will be
able to give Tagliabue "an update indicating 'big picture'
agreements." The "biggest holdup" in finalizing a deal "is
determining how the rodeo and McNair would split advertising
and naming rights revenues. Rodeo President Jim Bloodworth:
"I expect it could be as long as a month before we get a
final letter of agreement" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/25).
LONDON MONARCHS FALLING DOWN: NFL Europe "is folding"
the England Monarchs after the team finished with the worst
attendance in the league. NFL Europe also announced that it
is placing a team in Berlin. The team averaged 5,944 for
five games, a third of the league average (Mult., 6/25).
