BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NFL owners meeting Tuesday in San Diego gave near-unanimous approval to financial portions of the Bengals' stadium lease with Hamilton County, but club President Mike Brown's thoughts were closer to home.

Mr. Brown is cutting short his Memorial Day weekend at his family's home in nearby La Jolla, Calif., returning to Cincinnati Thursday instead of Sunday in a bid to secure a final deal with the county as the June 1 deadline looms.

With the Reds marching toward a memorandum of understanding with Hamilton County, county officials need a signed lease with the Bengals in the next 11 days to avoid a repeal of the 1-cent sales tax increase that pays for two new stadiums.

"Sometimes a deadline helps as motivation," Mr. Brown said. "I just want to get back home and be around to help this thing get done if I'm needed.

"In my heart of hearts, I don't see anything that could arise to not get it done. I'm confident, but it's not done yet. Both sides have to get down to brass tacks and be serious."

Mr. Brown is quite serious about the proposed canopy above the stadium. The bulk of the negotiations now consists of reducing the $288 million estimate to near $240 million, and critics argue the roof is too expensive.

"It's the best thing for our fans," Mr. Brown said. "We don't play in June and July. We play in November, December and hopefully January, when people need shelter. It's the best thing for the long-term project and we feel it's very important."

Oakland abstained from Tuesday's vote, a common practice by Raiders' boss Al Davis. TICKET TAX INCREASE GAINS STEAM

Previous stories

NFL seal of approval waiting on tax answer May 17, 1997

Stadium team tries to trim $48M May 6, 1997

Bengals ask lease by May 20 April 30, 1997

Stadium redesign well received April 25, 1997

Bengals leery of Wedge April 9, 1997

Stadium price tag growing April 3,1997

Stadium gaining ground? April 2,1997

Bengals won't sign till tax dies March 25,1997

Mike Brown's 'Letter to the Editor' March 25, 1997

Bengals balk at tax plan March 24,1997

Bengals want county blitz on seat licenses March 21,1997

City balks at size of stadium March 15,1997

Seat sales on target for team to stay Feb. 19,1997

'The Jungle' moving to Central Ave. Feb. 14, 1997

Stadium site to be announced this week Published Feb. 9, 1997

Seat license sales pass $20M goal Published Feb. 7, 1997

Consultants favor Riverfront West Published Dec. 20, 1996

Seat licenses $300 to $1,500 Published Dec. 18, 1996

Rules, procedure for buying seat licenses Published Dec. 18, 1996

Designs draw oohs and ahhs Published Dec. 17, 1996

Architect's drawings revealed Published Dec. 8, 1996

Site selection is a decision of a lifetime Published Dec. 2, 1996