CHUCK WATSON SAYS HOUSTON ARENA PLAN HARDLY ELEMENTARY

          IHL Aeros Owner Chuck Watson "contributed" $100,000 to
     the campaign looking to defeat next month's referendum for a
     basketball-hockey arena in downtown Houston, according to
     John Williams of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE.  Watson believes the
     proposed deal is a "bad idea for taxpayers because the
     public pays too much."  Watson: "I am confident that no
     matter how much money the proponents spend to package and
     camouflage this ugly duck, the proposal should fail on its
     merits."  He added that the current arena "will leave only"
     Rockets Owner Les Alexander "with any chance of getting" an
     NHL team because he gets to "keep most revenues."  Watson,
     who manages the Compaq Center, and Alexander have both
     considered bringing an NHL team to the city.  In other news,
     Watson added that he will have a 10-15% stake in Houston's
     new NFL expansion franchise (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/17).