Steelers fans looking for hard-to-find parking spaces near Heinz Field on game days may have another option available by next season -- the nearby North Shore casino garage.

Holdings Acquisition Co., the casino owner, and the team are closing in on an agreement that would set aside 750 to 1,000 spaces in the slots parlor's 3,872-space garage for Steelers and University of Pittsburgh football games and other major events at Heinz Field.

Mark Hart, director of business for the Steelers, said fans most likely would have to pay market rates for the spaces, which could be available as early as August, when the casino opens. He didn't know whether fans who gamble at the casino before or after a game would receive parking discounts or exemptions.

"We've been working very hard [with the Steelers] to come to an agreement, and I believe we have reached an agreement," said Dan Fee, a spokesman for Holdings Acquisition Co. He declined to offer details.

Mr. Hart said there are still some specifics to be worked out, such as where in the garage, which will have nine levels of parking, spaces would be set aside for Heinz Field events. The exact number of spaces made available will depend on the size of the event, he said.

Once finalized, the agreement must be approved by Allegheny County Common Pleas President Judge Joseph M. James, who was appointed by the state Supreme Court last year to resolve traffic-related litigation involving the casino, the Steelers and the Pirates.

Mr. Hart said the casino, being built just west of the Carnegie Science Center, and the team had the makings of a deal in place months ago but everything ended up on the back burner when Detroit businessman Don Barden ran into trouble securing permanent financing for the slots parlor.

The agreement on parking stems from court-mediated settlements reached between the teams and the casino over traffic-related issues. Several traffic improvements near Heinz Field and the casino are expected to result from those settlements.