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Uh, that news has already been 'broken'.
Hate to break it to everyone, but SA is getting played.
Benson will talk the talk, and someone will come up with a hefty chunk of change to make sure the Saints end up in Los Angeles.
Everything he's doing now is just to make sure he gets the biggest golden parachute he can when LA comes calling.
Uh, that news has already been 'broken'.
Saints staying in SA? Not gonna happen.
If Benson is using SA he is using it to play the Louisiana state government. With the Superdome now out of the picture he can get the new stadium he's been clamoring for. Between Super Bowls, Sugar Bowls and other college games, the Superdome was an important cog in the New Orleans' tourist industry. There is a reason now for a new stadium and there should be ample public funds available. The new stadium can be sold as being a part of the 'infrastructure' rebuild in NO and that it will help to create jobs during its construction, etc...
If Benson was looking to sell out to someone who wanted to move the team to Los Angeles he would've done so long ago. The league certainly wouldn't mind the Saints relocating to Los Angeles.
He has Louisiana by the short hairs. He does have a viable (though temporary) facility in a marginally better market to relocate to. He also wouldn't be locked into any kind of long-term lease.
I would not be surprised that before long Benson and the Louisiana commission on whatever get together and agree on a new stadium deal.
I certainly agree, we are getting played. San Antonio is a bargaining chip and to be honest, I don't mind. You can forget about Los Angeles, but Louisiana will definitely come calling at the end of the day.
Rick Perry is playing for political votes, there is NO WAY the state legislature will allow state funds to finance any sports facility in San Antonio. Not only will it set a bad precedent but you will have Houston, Dallas, any city who has had sport facilities built without state money will have their representives vote against any measure.
I will credit Hardberger for his work on this matter, which is much better than many of the previous administrations, but he knows he will have to go back on some statements according to the article if he wants the NFL in San Antonio.
Don't expect that state assistance, Mr. Mayor.Hardberger reiterated that he's against using city funds to build a new stadium for the Saints but said he would welcome state assistance.
Q: Benson will need a new stadium in San Antonio — or, at the very least, major renovations at the Alamodome. What are the prospects for that?
A: Hardberger has said the city won't pay for a new stadium and won't pay Superdome-like subsidies to the Saints to make up for the Alamodome's modest size. But other income sources — and taxing authorities — could be brought into the mix. Local county governments could be included, as well as the state — if a regional plan for support of the team pans out. Some already envision a new stadium along the Interstate 35 corridor that would make the Saints the community property of San Antonio, Austin and all of South Texas.
State money? Are you kidding me?
So not only is San Antonio playing the vulture, but they want to pass the buck on costs and make me pay for it?
Bull .
Problem is, again, that you have to convince taxpayers in San Antonio to pay for a stadium in...San Marcos. Ditto for Austinites.
Right now, with the Saints playing in the Alamodome and the public envisioning it as their future home, sure, most SA residents like the idea. But the reality is that SA is going to have to come up with a new stadium within the next decade, if not within a shorter time span to compete with what Louisiana will be putting together.
Before Katrina, Benson was already using SA as a threat to the Louisiana state government in order to get what he wanted (ie new stadium). How exactly has that changed?
At best, SA is a backup plan for Benson should he have a problem getting what he wants out of Louisiana. I think the reality is that SA is simply a bargaining chip. When you look at everything the Saints have done since Katrina hit from the perspective that he is using SA to get a new stadium in Louisiana, everything fits. Everything has been done to send a message to Louisiana politcians to get their together and come up with a replacement plan for the Superdome, pronto.
I thought the bowl games always sold out, did they not? I know that in the past there were several times that I tried to get tickets but they were gone. Is it possible that they have a slightly different seating configuration for a pro game?
The Express-News had an article a couple of weeks ago indicating that the report from the team inspecting the Superdome infrastruction is due at the end of October. At that point we should know for sure if they're going to have to tear it down or they can rebuild.
Carie
Looks like a thread where Marcus wants everyone here to believe that he actually knows what he is talking about. We must all remember that Marcus knows it all.
The truth is nobody knows what is going on or what will happen. I seriously doubt Tom Benson wants to go back to New Orleans after what he has witnessed going on here in two games. Why go back to a city that's pretty much a disaster? A city where your team really isn't a priority because of their constant losing.
San Antonio seems like a good fit right now because San Antonio residents are going nuts about having the NFL here, but it could be because the NFL has never been here. However, I don't see the Saints relocating here on a permanent basis. I see them ending up in L.A only because the NFL commissioner wants them there. It would be great for the Saints to end up here though.
Looks like Marcus pissed off someone because Marcus has an opinion on the matter.
If I have posted something that is inaccurate, point it out. Otherwise, stop whining, start posting or scroll.
State money? Did the mayor just miss out on the fact the state couldn't get schools financed? Did he miss the special session?
If there is an innitiative to use public money on any stadium here, I will fight it tooth and ing nail. Hey mayor, we pay state taxes as well as local taxes. It's still our money.
Thanks, Manny. I was going to add something similar.
And while I somtimes find Marcus Bryant to be an arrogant ass who enjoys reading his own words, as it were, I completely agree with him on this one.
And as for how it relates to the Spurs - well, try this on for size - they'll lose revenue. Lotta families who can't afford tickets to both, interference with press and with interest. People consistently talk about S. Texas as football territory, and the reason the Spurs are so popular comes down to two things: winning record and lack of anything else outside of football. The Spurs will take a real hit in terms of attendance and profit if football makes it to SA, and the idea of moving them will look more attractive again.
I personally think that the Saints will locate here at least temporarily. 2-3 years minimum, then go from there. They will be S.A.'s to keep, but we will drop the ball and they will go back to either of the LA's, LA or L.A.
The mayor needs to be upfront with the public. Within the decade a new stadium would have to be built if the Saints relocate to SA. He should go to the public and say...'If you think that the city should pony up a majority of the funds because it would be really cool for SA to have its own NFL team, then we'll have a vote on a stadium plan within a year or two.'
Again, SA is getting played. Benson is using the city to get what he wants from Louisiana. The governor and Austin mayor were there for show. Benson is sending a message to Baton Rouge that something needs to get done ASAP.
You can't possibly be this stupid. San Antonio has taken in 25,000 refugees and not one complaint about money.Thieving ers...if you want to steal poor people's football teams, build your own ing stadium...Explain to me why the state should have to pay for San Antonio's football team, exactly?
What, you guys are going to pay the state back?
NFL cities should be able, AND willing, to pay for their own freaking football teams.
Deadbeats...thieves.
If you want a ing football team, pay for it yourselves, like every other city does.
Another football team in this state, particularly south texas, would be a great investment by this state.
I'm just pointing out the obvious. You keep posting and keep saying the same thing on this subject. Let other's post without getting all offended. You have about close to half of all the postings on this one thread, but have said the same stuff. Its obvious you like reading your own postings for some strange reason. You made a good point.
Now take some time to read others and move on. Its not that hard Marcus.
I understand your point-of-view. However, consider that to increase tax revenue the state may need to invest in tax producing ventures. Before making any conclusions at least look at a cost benefit analysis to the state.
This concept is used in business all the time, invest in people and materials and watch your profits grow. Sometimes you got to spend a little to make a little.
Would you like some brie with that?
I have my opinions about the subject at hand. Deal with it, baby.
Why not spend a little trying to lure firms with actual jobs to the state? How about spending a little more on roads in the Dallas, Houston, SA and Austin metro areas?
The economic development argument for stadiums is a bit weak, to say the least.
Show me a cost benefit analysis done at any time which shows that government investment in professional sports results in a net tax revenue.
I'm not against use of taxes for stadiums, but this argument never washes.
I do think if SA steals the Saints the city will be considered to be way up there on the all-time s bag list.
Seems like you have an OPINION. Not opinions. Get over yourself dude.
The plural is in effect because there are a variety of issues within this discussion.
Get over yourself. I will post what I like. Read or scroll.
I'm not sure enough people are going to be in NOLA to make it a viable option in the short term. I think Benson's interest is sincere, but a deal won't be worked out and they'll end up being the South Central Saints until something gets built in Carson or Dominguez Hills.
I'm not terribly informed on this issue, so please excuse me if I sound very ignorant. Why is it that we're 'stealing' them? I thought that Benson has been trying to move for a few years now. So, if he's going to move anyway, then why wouldn't we try to better position ourselves?
Carie
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