Benson, San Antonio officials impressed with fans' support

[TheWriter]

Benson, San Antonio officials impressed with fans' support

Web Posted: 10/03/2005 12:00 AM CDT

Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson — in between congratulatory hugs, handshakes and kisses from family, friends and even fans — credited the Alamodome crowd of 58,688 for sparking his team to a 19-7 victory over Buffalo on Sunday.

"I want to thank the people of San Antonio," Benson said. "I think they charged up our defense, and that was the game.

"It was a great home crowd for us. Just marvelous, unbelievable support."

Rita Benson LeBlanc, Benson's granddaughter and a member of the team's board of directors, agreed.

"It was one of the loudest NFL crowds I've heard," LeBlanc said. "I'm more than pleased."

The lack of a sellout for San Antonio's first NFL regular-season game — the dome seats 65,000 — didn't prevent Benson and city officials from calling the event a success and predicting either sellouts or near capacity crowds for the displaced team's two other games at the Alamodome.

"With everything we've been through, the attendance is about what I expected," said Benson, who received a kiss from his wife, Gayle, after the defense stopped Willis McGahee for a 2-yard loss on fourth-and-one in the fourth quarter.

"I also think what happened today will help us with the other games," Benson said. "The Atlanta game will be sold out, and I think the excitement here today will help us (sell tickets) to the Detroit game."

The Oct. 16 game with the Falcons is a near sellout, with unsold tickets totaling 5,000. About 40,000 tickets remain for the Dec. 24 game with the Lions.

Saints officials attributed the lack of a sellout for their Alamodome opener to forces beyond their control.

"We had two weeks (to sell tickets) and two hurricanes (Katrina and Rita)," LeBlanc said. "You do with it what you can."

Said City Councilman Chip Haass: "It's awful tough to ramp up in two weeks what normally takes a year to do."

Benson said it's too early to gauge how ticket sales are going for the four games the Saints will play in Baton Rouge, La. He also declined comment on his plans for the team, which are uncertain after Katrina severely damaged the Louisiana Superdome.

"Let's just win these games and keep packing the stadium," Benson said.

But others weren't as reserved. After the game, one fan leaned into Benson's suite and shouted, "Relocate to San Antonio, Tommy."

At least one city leader, noting the Saints' logo on the walls outside the Alamodome, offered a similar sentiment.

"It certainly looks like the Saints' home stadium, and we hope it remains the Saints' home stadium," City Councilman Roland Gutierrez said.

While the city fell short of reaching its goal of a sellout, Mayor Phil Hardberger and other officials agreed with Benson that the crowd support was outstanding.

"No one told these fans to cheer for the Saints," Hardberger said. "They chose to do it, and I'm proud."

Hardberger, who watched the game in Benson's suite, said his goal is to make sure NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue attends one or both of the remaining games in San Antonio. Tagliabue skipped the Saints-Bills game to attend the San Francisco 49ers-Arizona Cardinals contest in Mexico City.

"If (Tagliabue) was here today, he could not help but be impressed," Hardberger said. "I don't know if he would change his mind (about calling San Antonio a small market), but I think he would be impressed."

Another guest in the Benson suite was former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros.

"This was an unqualified success," Cisneros said. "I don't think you can ask for much better than this — beautiful day, exciting game, enthusiastic crowd, near-sold out house."

County Judge Nelson Wolff, who also watched the game in a Saints suite, agreed.

"When the Saints fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter, someone from Louisiana told me they would have been booed if the game was in the Superdome," Wolff said. "But everyone was cheering for them here."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/s...s.881e6a5.html

[phyzik]

nice article.

Honestly, I would rather not have the Saints here. I dont want San Antonio seen as "looters" and honestly it does feel that way to me, Pretty words from city officials doesn't change the fact that our city is taking advantage of the situation in New Orleans. The city just "feels" like its whoring itself out for this team. I would rather have NFL officials here, including Tagliabue, to see that we can support an NFL team and maybe get an expansion deal sometime in the future.

The big question all of these people are forgeting is how well will the tickets sell when the NFL coincides with the NBA games in San Antonio?

I still think SA would be a Spurs-first town for quite some time, just like when the Spurs first came to town.

[TheWriter]

I still think SA would be a Spurs-first town for quite some time, just like when the Spurs first came to town.

Huh?

There was nothing else when the Spurs first came to town.

[phyzik]

Huh?

There was nothing else when the Spurs first came to town.

Yes, but not many people in SA where jumping on the wagon, it took quite some time before the Spurs (formerly Dallas Chaparrals) got some respect in SA, I guess I should have clarified what I was trying to get across. My point is, it would take a while for the city to warm up to a new team. Even now the Spurs franchise has trouble selling out tickets. How tough would it be with two franchises?

[Vashner]

nice article.

Honestly, I would rather not have the Saints here. I dont want San Antonio seen as "looters" and honestly it does feel that way to me, .

Spare us the drama....

The players want to be here right now so....

[TheWriter]

Yes, but not many people in SA where jumping on the wagon, it took quite some time before the Spurs (formerly Dallas Chaparrals) got some respect in SA. My point is, it would take a while for the city to warm up to a new team.

In 1973 we had half the current population we have now. We only had the military and tourism as major economic industries.

In 1973, there was no pro sports team to gauge how well San Antonio could support it. And mind you, the ABA was second fiddle to the NBA.

It wasn't so much the residents who thought we couldn't do this or the ABA commish or anyone outside the city. It was the city leaders and the business people more so who thought the ABA (pro basketball in general) wouldn't survive in football country (SA). But it did.

San Antonio has always been a city that loved football. From pee-wee to high school to the NFL.

I don't think there's ever been a doubt from anyone living in San Antonio that it couldn't or wouldn't support a team, aside from the rare few, except for the higher ups inside the NFL. They're the ones who don't see SA supporting a team.

[Mr. Body]

I don't think there's ever been a doubt from anyone living in San Antonio that it couldn't or wouldn't support a team, aside from the rare few, except for the higher ups inside the NFL. They're the ones who don't see SA supporting a team.

The problem is, as I'm sure is obvious, San Antonio lacks a sizeable regional audience. That's a huge consideration and the reason why Los Angeles and other markets lacking an NFL team are far ahead in line. As much as San Antonio might love football and as rabid as its fanbase might be, Houston and Dallas already have their franchises, one of which is massively entrenched, and so there's little room for another.

Take a look at the Carolina Panthers. The NFL's modus operandi is to go for regional markets - that's why they didn't specify a city or state for the team. They were going for as many fans as possible. I see it as highly unlikely there will ever be a franchise in SA. One is slated for Los Angeles. Toronto looks like they might want one. And then, after tonight, the league would look long and hard at trying to stick one in Mexico City.

[Vashner]

I dispute that as well. With all the small cities around us and the main town. We are big enough..

They can give us an expansion team.. period. they will make money..

The only reason is Jerry Jones and other team owners don't want another Spurs success with pigskins...

Now please stop being negative.. NFL YES.. SADDAM NO!!! (little humor geeze)

[baseline bum]

I'm disappointed the Dome didn't sell out. Actually, I'm shocked. I'll never complain about the NFL passing over SA after hearing the Dome was 10% empty for the first real NFL game ever played in the city.

[LuvBones]

How big is the Alamodome(capacity) compared to other domes?

[Mr. Body]

I dispute that as well. With all the small cities around us and the main town. We are big enough..

They can give us an expansion team.. period. they will make money..

I agree with others. Not selling out this first game was a bad sign.

Anyway, it's bad business to put on in SA over better markets. Even Vegas would be an option.

[TheWriter]

I'm disappointed the Dome didn't sell out. Actually, I'm shocked. I'll never complain about the NFL passing over SA after hearing the Dome was 10% empty for the first real NFL game ever played in the city.

If you knew all the facts, you would be shocked.

Don't you find it strange that the "majority" empty seats were three corner areas, yet the entire second level and most of the third level was packed.

Isn't that just a tad bit "strange?"

[ZStomp]

It was an awesome atmosphere man!

i can't wait for the next game!

I want a team NOW!!

[PM5K]

The Bills haven't played in ANY SELLOUTS, I wonder why that is?

Could it be The City Of San Antonio, or the ING HORRIBLE BUFFALO BILLS?

Gee, I wonder....

This isn't even OUR team but not only are we supposed to support them on two weeks notice, but we are supposed to watch one of the worst ing teams in the NFL, and sell it the out?

[Vashner]

People are used to 5-10 dollar for those seats not 30+ fees...

Spurs spoiled them in the dome..

But really for football they are SO much better than the dome with basketball.. at least the sideline seats.

Falcons game is going to be nuts...

[TheWriter]

This city deserves a team!
























Credit to Slomo, Photohome.com, and Buddy Holly

[Brodels]

If they couldn't sell out the first game in San Antonio, how can you expect the NFL to want to move to SA?

The fact that they didn't sell out the game doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the city's ability to support a team.

[TheWriter]

If they couldn't sell out the first game in San Antonio, how can you expect the NFL to want to move to SA?

The fact that they didn't sell out the game doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the city's ability to support a team.

Says who?

In two weeks they were able to sell 59,000 tickets for the first game. Tell me, what other city could have or would have done that? Esp, with all the bugs and errors on the part of the Saints in terms of ticket distribution. Advertising a "3 game package" and discontinuing it before tickets went on sell. How about Rita?

How about the city so far selling over 150,000 tickets in just 2 and a half weeks.

Give me a break.

And again, if Benson or any other owner wants to relocate his team to SA, they can, Tags can't stop them.

[PM5K]

The Bills haven't played in ANY SELLOUTS, I wonder why that is?

Could it be The City Of San Antonio, or the ING HORRIBLE BUFFALO BILLS?

Gee, I wonder....

This isn't even OUR team but not only are we supposed to support them on two weeks notice, but we are supposed to watch one of the worst ing teams in the NFL, and sell it the out?

Might as well quote myself since some people didn't bother to read it...

[boutons]

The Bills angle is important, but "beggars can't be choosers".

The SA franchise beggars have only 3 serendipitous chances to show their NFL commitment this season, so they really can't be choosy about the NO Saints opponents.

[PM5K]

The Bills angle is important, but "beggars can't be choosers".

The SA franchise beggars have only 3 serendipitous chances to show their NFL commitment this season, so they really can't be choosy about the NO Saints opponents.

The Bills wouldn't have been a sellout in New Orleans either, or any other market for that matter really....

[boutons]

"Bills wouldn't have been a sellout"

OK, but under "normal" cir stances. SA is supposed trying to exploit an abormal situation. Selling out the Bills, vs the Bills selling out nowhere else, would have been a dramatic indication of SA's commitment.

[rwb]

I couldn't care less overall because I'm not much of a football fan, but I would support a home team. The Saints are orphans in need of a temporary foster home. I'd like SA to eventually have a team of it's own.

[Phenomanul]

San Antonio Saints has a pretty nice ring to it.... On a personal note though, I'd be hard pressed to drop the Cowboys for the Saints.

[TOP-CHERRY]

San Antonio Saints has a pretty nice ring to it.... On a personal note though, I'd be hard pressed to drop the Cowboys for the Saints.

Who says you can't love both?