From a N.O. resident and Saints fan

[Shiner Bock Girl]

I personally would view the disaster as an opportunity to start things over (not just NFL-wise, but we'll limit the discussion to that) with a largely clean slate. Getting out from under a $180 million bribe to an NFL owner you don't like is a good enough start.

I would do what Nagin started with trying to get a Browns-type deal out of the NFL, but privately at first, getting a few guaranteed Super Bowls ( , ask for a decade of them) in the process while waiting for the next move or round of expansions. By that time, you would have a really good idea whether NOLA could truly support an NFL team without a yearly $20 million bribe to any owner that might come around.

I agree about starting over fresh. They should be allowed the Cleveland plan and that way they could start over and take their time repairing the dome right. And then they could start with a new Saints team, new owner and maybe even a new dome if they want. I think they are just concerned losing everything and you can't blame them for that...If they do lose their team and are not approved the Cleveland plan, that wouldn't seem right...But then Nagin better face reality if he does get his team back, Benson is NOT going to go away....So he better weigh his options really hard...I would think starting fresh would be better for them and maybe even get an owner they like...LOL...

[Shiner Bock Girl]

I can't say that I don't feel for them, but it seems like ALL of them are currently out of touch with reality. If attendence at BR is really low, some of them might commit suicide.

There's a fine line between being a fan and being fanatical.

No i think they will sell this game out...I want the Saints to play in a good environment...What ever happens is going to happen regardless if all the games sell or not...Its up to what Benson wants to do and what the committee decides...So i hope they get a good home crowd so the Saints can kick Ricky Williams ass...YEAHHH!!!!!!!!!....I never have liked that guy...

[dknights411]

No i think they will sell this game out...I want the Saints to play in a good environment...What ever happens is going to happen regardless if all the games sell or not...Its up to what Benson wants to do and what the committee decides...So i hope they get a good home crowd so the Saints can kick Ricky Williams ass...YEAHHH!!!!!!!!!....I never have liked that guy...

Ok, but remember that Baton Rouge has FOUR games. The attendence for the other games will count just as much as the Miami game. It won't matter that Miami sells out if the other games draw very poorly. Which is something the people over at Saintsreport don't seem to understand.

[TOP-CHERRY]

Guys, I have a proposal that should please everyone...

San Antonio receives:

Saints

New Orleans receives:

Buddy Holly/TheWriter

San Antonio has a functioning stadium and is a more attractive location for a NFL franchise than South Louisiana. Buddy Holly has a mammoth hardon for city planning and has years of experience as a dogged promoter of municipal development on the internets. He could jump start the redevelopment of New Orleans as it emerges from the Katrina catastrophe with the power of his modem.

I like this proposal.

[Shiner Bock Girl]

Ok, but remember that Baton Rouge has FOUR games. The attendence for the other games will count just as much as the Miami game. It won't matter that Miami sells out if the other games draw very poorly. Which is something the people over at Saintsreport don't seem to understand.

True

[John T]

Ok, but remember that Baton Rouge has FOUR games. The attendence for the other games will count just as much as the Miami game. It won't matter that Miami sells out if the other games draw very poorly. Which is something the people over at Saintsreport don't seem to understand.

But then the same could be said about us right? Are there any NEW numbers about the number of seats left for the Christmas Eve game? Last I heard there are 40,000. That's a lot, and without any advertising (at least that I've heard/seen) to sell those tickets, it's going to be hard. Especially if they wait too long, and nobody wants to spend the money because it's too close to Christmas. Maybe I don't get out enough, but the only advertising I've seen is two Budweiser billboards that simply have the Saints' logo on them.


Carie

[Shiner Bock Girl]

But then the same could be said about us right? Are there any NEW numbers about the number of seats left for the Christmas Eve game? Last I heard there are 40,000. That's a lot, and without any advertising (at least that I've heard/seen) to sell those tickets, it's going to be hard. Especially if they wait too long, and nobody wants to spend the money because it's too close to Christmas. Maybe I don't get out enough, but the only advertising I've seen is two Budweiser billboards that simply have the Saints' logo on them.


Carie

SA usually doesn't really start buying tickets till almost the last minute..I know i do...Also being it is x-mas eve, ppl need to find out about family things and what plans they might have then..Its still too soon...I agree though, i don't see much advertising on this game...

[John T]

Has there been advertising for the other games?


Carie

[McKenzie]

Oh really....S.A. got hit by a Cat 4 hurricane? Didn't realize. That wasn't looting. That was courting. Big difference.

Are you comparing apples and oranges?

This subject has curled my last hair. I'm going to say this and whatever happens, happens. In no particular order:

#1. San Antonio did not create a hurricane to level New Orleans so that we could loot the team.

#2. San Antonioians, including Hardberger, have no say in what happens to the Saints and where they will end up. They can spit sound bites at the news until it gets real cold very far south of here and it won't matter....

#3. Louisiana has a formal, legal, binding contract with the Saints to provide a playing field, and that field isn't Tiger Stadium.

#4. San Antonio seems to enjoy the Saints playing/living/hanging out here. We are selling plenty of seats and spending bucks!!!! to be at the games. It's cool with us if they stay. *personal jibe there*

#5. Three-fourths of the NFL owners must agree to move an NFL team.

#6. San Antonio did not create a hurricane to level New Orleans so that we could loot the team. (I know I said that already, but the final comment will reflect the redundancy)

#7. There will be many different factors in place sometime in the future to determine the final resting spot of the Saints, and it won't be up to Hardberger or any other person from San Antonio to make that call. (See NFL guidelines for re-location)

#8. This nonsense is getting old.

#9. Why is this an issue? Just because we are hopeful, and some more than others for reasons you cannot possibly fathom, for the Saints remaining here ARE NOT up to this city.

#10. In order to "loot" one must willingly enter a place for the sole purpose of stealing contents. As I last recall, the Saints fled here upon notification of the breech of the levee that obilerated the 9th Ward. We didn't pluck them from their rooftops. They were already headed here.

Any nasty comments regarding the unlikely re-location of the Saints being San Antonio needs to: 1) Consult the NFL rules regarding such and 2) Bark at the owner who may, in fact or may not, wish to move. Remember folks. At this point, the Saints have no home in Louisiana. By an agreement between football and state, LA must maintain a playing site that does not include Tiger Stadium. Either re-build the SuperDome or instantly break ground on a new facility that resembles Reliant in Houston.

Jeez...this is such a no brainer! Forget the evening news and let these guys play out their season.

[Shiner Bock Girl]

This subject has curled my last hair. I'm going to say this and whatever happens, happens. In no particular order:

#1. San Antonio did not create a hurricane to level New Orleans so that we could loot the team.

#2. San Antonioians, including Hardberger, have no say in what happens to the Saints and where they will end up. They can spit sound bites at the news until it gets real cold very far south of here and it won't matter....

#3. Louisiana has a formal, legal, binding contract with the Saints to provide a playing field, and that field isn't Tiger Stadium.

#4. San Antonio seems to enjoy the Saints playing/living/hanging out here. We are selling plenty of seats and spending bucks!!!! to be at the games. It's cool with us if they stay. *personal jibe there*

#5. Three-fourths of the NFL owners must agree to move an NFL team.

#6. San Antonio did not create a hurricane to level New Orleans so that we could loot the team. (I know I said that already, but the final comment will reflect the redundancy)

#7. There will be many different factors in place sometime in the future to determine the final resting spot of the Saints, and it won't be up to Hardberger or any other person from San Antonio to make that call. (See NFL guidelines for re-location)

#8. This nonsense is getting old.

#9. Why is this an issue? Just because we are hopeful, and some more than others for reasons you cannot possibly fathom, for the Saints remaining here ARE NOT up to this city.

#10. In order to "loot" one must willingly enter a place for the sole purpose of stealing contents. As I last recall, the Saints fled here upon notification of the breech of the levee that obilerated the 9th Ward. We didn't pluck them from their rooftops. They were already headed here.

Any nasty comments regarding the unlikely re-location of the Saints being San Antonio needs to: 1) Consult the NFL rules regarding such and 2) Bark at the owner who may, in fact or may not, wish to move. Remember folks. At this point, the Saints have no home in Louisiana. By an agreement between football and state, LA must maintain a playing site that does not include Tiger Stadium. Either re-build the SuperDome or instantly break ground on a new facility that resembles Reliant in Houston.

Jeez...this is such a no brainer! Forget the evening news and let these guys play out their season.

Now this girl knows her stuff.

[McKenzie]

Well, seeing as how the state had to pony up $186 million in direct payments to make the team profitable with a full population, tax base and business presence -- it would be fair to say that someone will have to pay alot more to keep them in NOLA.

In light of all the money that needs to be spent on rebuilding -- how much should be paid to keep the Saints in NOLA and who should pay it?

If you really attempt to answer those questions, things become much more clear.

The state of Louisana has to pay for it. They'll get a break with some insurance money from the damage to the Dome. How much remains to be seen. Blanco needs to fully allocate that $125 million that had guys working on the Dome's roof a few days ago. She can't threaten to void anything at this point, as was reported yesterday. This matter is fully a complicated one. It really isn't a slam dunk-looter wants-owner wishes to move-easy choice.

[rr2418]

This subject has curled my last hair. I'm going to say this and whatever happens, happens. In no particular order:

#1. San Antonio did not create a hurricane to level New Orleans so that we could loot the team.

#2. San Antonioians, including Hardberger, have no say in what happens to the Saints and where they will end up. They can spit sound bites at the news until it gets real cold very far south of here and it won't matter....

#3. Louisiana has a formal, legal, binding contract with the Saints to provide a playing field, and that field isn't Tiger Stadium.

#4. San Antonio seems to enjoy the Saints playing/living/hanging out here. We are selling plenty of seats and spending bucks!!!! to be at the games. It's cool with us if they stay. *personal jibe there*

#5. Three-fourths of the NFL owners must agree to move an NFL team.

#6. San Antonio did not create a hurricane to level New Orleans so that we could loot the team. (I know I said that already, but the final comment will reflect the redundancy)

#7. There will be many different factors in place sometime in the future to determine the final resting spot of the Saints, and it won't be up to Hardberger or any other person from San Antonio to make that call. (See NFL guidelines for re-location)

#8. This nonsense is getting old.

#9. Why is this an issue? Just because we are hopeful, and some more than others for reasons you cannot possibly fathom, for the Saints remaining here ARE NOT up to this city.

#10. In order to "loot" one must willingly enter a place for the sole purpose of stealing contents. As I last recall, the Saints fled here upon notification of the breech of the levee that obilerated the 9th Ward. We didn't pluck them from their rooftops. They were already headed here.

Any nasty comments regarding the unlikely re-location of the Saints being San Antonio needs to: 1) Consult the NFL rules regarding such and 2) Bark at the owner who may, in fact or may not, wish to move. Remember folks. At this point, the Saints have no home in Louisiana. By an agreement between football and state, LA must maintain a playing site that does not include Tiger Stadium. Either re-build the SuperDome or instantly break ground on a new facility that resembles Reliant in Houston.

Jeez...this is such a no brainer! Forget the evening news and let these guys play out their season.

Yes, it's true that it's up to the NFL to decide what happens with this situation. I think what the NO fans are angry about (at least I would be), is the displaying of "SAints" or " San Antonio Saints" t-shirts. Heck, I even saw one that read " San Antonio Santos", given the name SA's own flavor. Right now the NO people have lost everything or almost everything, and any thing will irritate them as little as it may seem. So displaying shirts and banners, not to mention our BIG MOUTH of a mayor, telling the whole world that Benson wants to move the Saints over here, is not.........well very nice. I personally don't want the Saints to come over here. I agree with NO and others that the timing is not right. If they should come? Well, they come!! I'll still and always will be a Dallas Cowboy fan, and will never root against them. But if SA does indeed get a team, I'll root for them, except when playing against the Cowboys. Hopefully the NO will keep their team, or at least keep the logo, name, and colors, in case of expansion.

[Shiner Bock Girl]

Yes, it's true that it's up to the NFL to decide what happens with this situation. I think what the NO fans are angry about (at least I would be), is the displaying of "SAints" or " San Antonio Saints" t-shirts. Heck, I even saw one that read " San Antonio Santos", given the name SA's own flavor. Right now the NO people have lost everything or almost everything, and any thing will irritate them as little as it may seem. So displaying shirts and banners, not to mention our BIG MOUTH of a mayor, telling the whole world that Benson wants to move the Saints over here, is not.........well very nice. I personally don't want the Saints to come over here. I agree with NO and others that the timing is not right. If they should come? Well, they come!! I'll still and always will be a Dallas Cowboy fan, and will never root against them. But if SA does indeed get a team, I'll root for them, except when playing against the Cowboys. Hopefully the NO will keep their team, or at least keep the logo, name, and colors, in case of expansion.

I agree with you up to a certain point..But, I hope the Saints do stay here and i would no longer be a Texans fan...I would rather support my city.....SA didn't cause their misfortune and we can't fix them either....

[samikeyp]

Well said.

[McKenzie]

If we get to keep them, I hope we get to keep the colors and logo. My house is over flowing with gear and fleur-de-lis, and stuff. I have tons of NOLA stuff. Starting over would just plain suck for me. Looking around at everything I'd have to replace with a new scheme is daunting.

[Bloodline666]

Clarify something for me...did this flood make the Spurs dome unusable? Did the Spurs have to relocate because of this flood? Where did the Spurs play while the dome was being repaired? Where there other cir stances surrounding the Spurs that prompted N.O. to court the Spurs franchise?

Honestly I don't know becuase I don't follow the NBA and don't particularly care for professional basketball. I vaugly remember this whole fiasco but do not recall the details.

No offense to fellow Spurs fans, as I'm stating the facts here.

I vividly remember that flood, as it happened on my 15th birthday.

To answer your question, the Spurs still played in the Alamodome. I don't remember if the dome was unusable, though. But if it was, wanna know what saved the Spurs from having to play their home games elsewhere?

It was an NBA Lockout. David Stern locked out the league until the Players Association could come up with a Collective Bargaining Agreement (not sure if that's accurate, though). Anyway, the 1998-1999 season did not start until like, January or February...something like that. As a result, the regular season was shortened from the standard 82 games per team to 50 games per team. Not only that, but the All-Star Game was not held at all in 1999. If the Alamodome was unusable to any extent, then the NBA Lockout was actually a blessing in disguise for San Antonio, as it bought time to repair whatever damage was done to the Alamodome. (the flood happened in the middle of October, and the NBA has pre-season games during October, while the regular season usually starts towards the beginning of November).

Oh, and it was the Spurs that ended up winning the NBA Championship at the end of that lock-out shortened season...right before the three-peat of that team I detest more than any other team in sports.

[hicksi]

If we get to keep them, I hope we get to keep the colors and logo. My house is over flowing with gear and fleur-de-lis, and stuff. I have tons of NOLA stuff. Starting over would just plain suck for me. Looking around at everything I'd have to replace with a new scheme is daunting.

I would really hope, for New Orleans sake, that ALL fleur-de-lis logos are REMOVED from the team.

[MadDog725]

The good people of San antonio are welcome to continue this debate in a forum that was specially set up by a site administrator in a "unique" Saints fan web site. You are free to post as a guest user with no registration required... However, if you chose to register, you will have access to the rest of the site and a chance to meet many "interesting" fans from all over the NFC South. We have Buc fans, Falcon fans and Saints fans from England, Austrailia, Denmark as well as nation-wide in the USA...

Come on over and give it a try... No ambush, guaranteed...

All we ask is that the discussions be kept civil or the admin will block IP's..

Try it.... You'll like it!!!

http://www.radiofreebng.com/php/inde...a8fab232cb77bf

Where ya at Hicksi?... See you beat me here..

[tgrgrd00]

No offense to fellow Spurs fans, as I'm stating the facts here.

I vividly remember that flood, as it happened on my 15th birthday.

To answer your question, the Spurs still played in the Alamodome. I don't remember if the dome was unusable, though. But if it was, wanna know what saved the Spurs from having to play their home games elsewhere?

It was an NBA Lockout. David Stern locked out the league until the Players Association could come up with a Collective Bargaining Agreement (not sure if that's accurate, though). Anyway, the 1998-1999 season did not start until like, January or February...something like that. As a result, the regular season was shortened from the standard 82 games per team to 50 games per team. Not only that, but the All-Star Game was not held at all in 1999. If the Alamodome was unusable to any extent, then the NBA Lockout was actually a blessing in disguise for San Antonio, as it bought time to repair whatever damage was done to the Alamodome. (the flood happened in the middle of October, and the NBA has pre-season games during October, while the regular season usually starts towards the beginning of November).

Oh, and it was the Spurs that ended up winning the NBA Championship at the end of that lock-out shortened season...right before the three-peat of that team I detest more than any other team in sports.

Thanks for the clarification. I learned something.

Perhaps some people would feel differently had the Spurs had to relocate because of the flood and never come back.

[exstatic]

Where's your outrage that Entergy is being courted by Mississippi to stay on? Those are JOBS walking out the door. That is who the City of NO needs to concentrate on bringing back, not a subsidized football team.

[tgrgrd00]

Where's your outrage that Entergy is being courted by Mississippi to stay on? Those are JOBS walking out the door. That is who the City of NO needs to concentrate on bringing back, not a subsidized football team.

I am not happy about that either.

Do you want me to discuss Mississippi and Entergy on an NFL board on Spurstalk.com???

Seems a little off topic but I will whine about it on here if you want.

[Extra Stout]

Well, it looks like Benson is going to make a real effort to stick around in New Orleans.

I hope that goes well.

[Shiner Bock Girl]

Well, it looks like Benson is going to make a real effort to stick around in New Orleans.

I hope that goes well.

Well its going to be a business decision whether its SA, LA, or NOLA....The mans not going to lose money..I wish the team well where ever they go...I feel the real test will be on Nov 29th...I believe that is the date he can go for the Disaster clause and void his contract with NOLA? Or he has to pay $81 million to get out of it, and i think we all know hes not going to do that...LOL....So wouldn't he have to make a decision by then rather then the end of the season???

[Carie]

I feel the real test will be on Nov 29th...I believe that is the date he can go for the Disaster clause and void his contract with NOLA? Or he has to pay $81 million to get out of it, and i think we all know hes not going to do that...LOL....So wouldn't he have to make a decision by then rather then the end of the season???

I think that's the date he has to file whatever legal paperwork to get out of the contract. But that doesn't mean that he'll start talking to S.A. or L.A. about next season or beyond at that point. Will give him and NO a few more months to see how things are progressing.

[Shiner Bock Girl]

I think that's the date he has to file whatever legal paperwork to get out of the contract. But that doesn't mean that he'll start talking to S.A. or L.A. about next season or beyond at that point. Will give him and NO a few more months to see how things are progressing.

That makes sense...