How many Cowboys fans here would root for them over the boys if they move here indefinitely?
What the does LA not having a team have to do with BENSON wanting to move the team here.
If he wants the team herem nothing the NFL does, nothing Jerry Jones does, will stop it.
LA had two teams, they both failed. , they can't even get their together for a team now.
And if LA was such a big thing to the NFL, why haven't they given them an expansion team? They gave Houston one way before them.
You mean Sheryl Sculley, right?
I lived in SoCal for five years; baseline and Kori can vouch for the fact that the NFL is a surprisingly hard sell there given the difficulty of building a new stadium. They were close with a Carson site a few years back but things fell apart.
Don't kid yourself.
The Dome will not be ready, and I sure as won't help pay for it.
Unless Benson wants to pay for the upgrades, I would discourage "upgrading" the already under-used and aging Dome.
The City barely kept the Spurs here a few years ago with the building of the SBC Center, which, by any other standards was very cheaply built (money wise, < $200 million)
San Antonio abandoned a huge money-maker in the PGA Village.
Bottom Line, this city cannot afford/support another Major Sports franchise.
This city will always be a one-sport, small media, small market city.
Be happy with the Spurs and leave it at that.
Wow, where to begin. Were you trying to pass gas so hard that you blacked out then fell on your keyboard, which gave us your brillant post?
First off, if the city put raising sales taxes or hotel/motel taxes or whatever means to pay for upgrades to a vote, I'm 100% sure the majority of this city would vote yes.
The Dome is not "under-used." Many conventions book the dome, not to mention high school football, NCAA sporting events (like the Final Four), the Alamo Bowl, etc.
Did you know the PGA Tour resort is being built? Same spot as the PGA Village. except this will be built by the PGA Tour (much more name value). It will house a 1,000 room hotel, practice facilities, two golf courses designed by Greg "the Shark" Norman.
Of course the city barely kept the Spurs, because they were playing in a Dome that was not fit to NBA standards. That's why the SBC Center was built. All sports cities go though this from time to time. The major ones, the big ones , and the mid-size ones.
Bottomline is, the city can and would support another pro sports team. This isn't 1990. which your mindset seems to be stuck in.
Team eyes S.A., but NFL said to have doubts
Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News
New Orleans Saints officials are formulating a plan that calls for the team's home games this season to be played at the Alamodome, sources within the organization and city government said Monday.
A source close to Saints owner Tom Benson also confirmed Benson has a strong interest in relocating his team to San Antonio, a move that would give the Alamo City its second major professional sports team.
Despite assertions by team general manager Mickey Loomis that the Saints' commitment to New Orleans is "stronger than ever," sources say Benson will inform NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue in New York that the Alamodome is the most attractive option in the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
The NFL, however, has its doubts about San Antonio's ability to draw fans and corporate sponsors, sources said.
The Saints "are committed to playing their games in the dome," a city official said. "The only question is, how many games can they play there."
The Alamodome is the site of the NCAA Volleyball Championships Dec. 15-17, an event that could prevent the Saints from playing Carolina in the dome Dec. 18.
Benson, who could meet with Tagliabue as soon as today, declined a request for an interview during the team's practice Monday at a San Antonio School District facility.
If Benson has his way, the Alamodome will be the site of the team's second home game, on Oct. 2 against Buffalo. It's a stance favored by Saints coach Jim Haslett.
"The best situation for us is to play games right here because we are working here," Haslett said. "But still having our ties to Louisiana, you would like to go to Baton Rouge and play a game or two."
Although the Saints would prefer to play games as close as possible to their fan base, sources say Benson and others in the organization never considered LSU's Tiger Stadium as a viable option because Baton Rouge is home to thousands of evacuees and is a staging area for rescue efforts.
Officials at LSU, in fact, announced Monday the Tigers' football game against Arizona State on Saturday would be played in Tempe, Ariz., rather than Baton Rouge.
"We don't want to interfere with the recovery effort in any way," LSU athletic director Skip Bertman said.
The NFL already has moved the Saints' home opener against the New York Giants, originally scheduled for Sept. 18 at the Louisiana Superdome, to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
The league announced Monday the Saints-Giants game will be part of a nationally televised doubleheader starting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19.
Sources close to Benson say he was angered by the NFL's decision to play the Sept. 18 game in New Jersey.
Benson, sources say, also is upset that the league is considering having the Saints play all of their home games on the road.
The NFL, sources say, would rather have the Saints play 16 road games because it believes attendance would be low at the Alamodome.
To counter that claim, city officials are seeking corporate sponsors that would guarantee the team plays before capacity crowds.
Several Saints said they would not mind playing their home games at the Alamodome.
"Right now, I'm fine with that, because most of the fans are here in Texas," receiver Joe Horn said. "I wouldn't want to (move permanently to San Antonio), of course not. I like Louisiana. But Mr. Benson has to do what Mr. Benson has to do."
There have been rumors for years that Benson, who has strong business and personal ties to San Antonio, eventually would try to move the Saints.
In May, attorney Stanley Rosenberg, a member of the team's board of directors, told the Express-News that Benson was interested in moving the team to the Alamo City after the 2005 season.
Henry Cisneros, a former San Antonio mayor who has known Benson for more than 20 years, said Benson faces a tough decision since it is unlikely the Saints will play in the Superdome anytime soon.
"The hurricane complicates things in that what would have been purely a business decision becomes a decision of the heart," Cisneros said.
"No one, I'm sure, wants to be perceived as leaving a city in its hardest moment. How that will bear on his decision, I don't know."
By tomorrow night, it'll be official that the Saints will have to play all their games on the road.
Bank it.
I will bank on it. Just like Finley not holding up that number 4 Spurs jersey.
Also, if you were TPark, I'd bank on it just like the Spurs not winning the le.
And if you were BuddyHolly, I'd bank on it just like Charles Oakley signing with the Spurs.
LJ, would you like to make a bet?
If I win, you go from Return of the G to TheWriter's .
And if you win, I go from Buddy' to Timvp's .
For one month.
You up fo' it?
Wait a minute.
You don't think that if the Saints moved here, they upgraded the Dome, that in a few years they wouldn't push to build a new Football Stadium?
They screwed the city with the Alamodome the first time, it won't happen again.
You say I'm stuck in 1990, no, I'm actually looking ahead to 2010.
Oops, I passed gas again.
No, they won't ask for a new stadium if the Dome is upgraded.
Do you know how old the Superdome is? That thing needed a makeover worse tha Nick Nolte. The Alamodome is barely 12 years old.
With the right types of upgrades, like Lambeau Field in Green Bay or Soldier Field in Chicago they're able to maintain using 30 year old stadiums with upgrades, the Alamodome could serve the Saints for a long time.
The Alamodome would have been a great idea had the city landed a team, it didn't, so now it was a mistake. Please. Without the Dome, no Final Four, no Alamo Bowl, etc. Those things bring in a lot of money to the city.
Thats and incouraging quote right there. Tells me Benson is passing the word on what the company line should be. I really hope we get at least one game. I want to f*ing taligate.
San Antonio is primed to steal the Saints from New Orleans. As if this city hasn't had enough trouble, now San Antonio is trying to fleece them out of the Saints.
Talk about kicking someone when they are down!
San Antonio should have to wait in line for an expansion team just like every other 2nd rate city (i.e., Nashville, Jacksonville).
Benson and the city of San Antonio should be ashamed of themselves. But what else would you expect from a 2nd rate wannabe city like San Antonio? If they can't get a team the legitimately then just go out and steal one.
Pathetic and shameful.
Yeah to go with all those Stanley Cups and MLB Championship trophies.
Er.......Um......forget it.
TheWriter:
#1. Do not try to make any guesses on what the New Orleans economy is. You have no idea what it will be, and you are not an economist by any means.
#2. Do not try and make guesses on what Benson is trying to do. San Antonio may be the best option for this year, but that doesn't mean it presents the best option in the long run. No way in .
#3. LA has a huge TV market and a much larger fan and corporate base than San Antonio. Houston beating it out isn't the same as San Antonio beating it out. No way in .
#4 Don't act as though you are an expert on stadium situations. The Superdome was old, but it was also a of a lot bigger than the Alamodome.
So, if you want to indulge and keep smoking the crack pipe that is NFL coming to San Antonio, feel free.
The Alamodome is a pup tent compared to the Superdome. If the Saints stay here permanently they will need a new stadium. SA should build them one, it will be money well spent.
Then they can use the Alamodome for final four, conventions, soccer games ()...
EDIT: I should say that SA should build the Saints a new stadium once a permanent agreement is put in place. And the COPS and Metro Alliance people should shut the up and go along with something valuable to the city for a change.
I think the Saints should play the rest of the year here. I don't think the Saints nor the NFL should make a decision this year about where the Saints will play for good. Its too big of a decision to make right now. Not after what all has happened. People's lives have been destroyed. The city is destroyed and no one really knows what's going to happen in New Orleans. You hear his on one channel and hear something totally different on another channel. The truth is that only time will tell. I am all for San Antonio getting a NFL team. However, I don't know if the Saints are that team. It would be too easy, but a real steal for San Antonio. However, I think the NFL should just decide as to what happens this year with the Saints and wait until the off-season as to what happens with them the years there after.
Hmm...I wonder how the NFL came up with that perception.Team eyes S.A., but NFL said to have doubts
The NFL, however, has its doubts about San Antonio's ability to draw fans and corporate sponsors, sources said.
The Saints "are committed to playing their games in the dome," a city official said. "The only question is, how many games can they play there."
The NFL, sources say, would rather have the Saints play 16 road games because it believes attendance would be low at the Alamodome.
This is probably the most work city officials have ever done trying to get the NFLs attention. I still laugh at Howard Peak celebrating the naming of the Houston Texans....wow! That's Impressive!To counter that claim, city officials are seeking corporate sponsors that would guarantee the team plays before capacity crowds.
Bargaining chip???There have been rumors for years that Benson, who has strong business and personal ties to San Antonio, eventually would try to move the Saints.
In May, attorney Stanley Rosenberg, a member of the team's board of directors, told the Express-News that Benson was interested in moving the team to the Alamo City after the 2005 season.
Look, I'm in favor of having an NFL team in San Antonio, in the Alamodome but all this city has ever done is talk about it. Attendence in exhibition games here have been at best....disappointing, the city had refused to put any serious effort in gaining their attention since Cisneros left. All I've heard is theories of how this and that can make it happen. What I haven't heard is evidence we can present to the powers that be that the NFL can work here.
We do lack the corporate sponsors even with Toyota coming into town, support for football here in the past is almost embarassing, plus the city lacks the funds to bring pro football into town. It cost the city of St. Louis over $500 million to move the Rams (which the NFL approved - after Rams ownership threatened with a lawsuit.) That was in 1995, what is the price going to be now, ten years later? It will be up to the city to come up with that money, the State of Texas is not going to pitch in unless they want every Texas sports team in the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB at their doorstep asking for a handout.
I want the NFL here as much as the next guy but with the economics of this situation and the city's efforts to get one, it's a pipe dream at best.
No. If the people of this city vote in favor of a tax increase for a stadium while weeping to death on the taxes for school finance, then I will be pissed off.The Alamodome is a pup tent compared to the Superdome. If the Saints stay here permanently they will need a new stadium. SA should build them one, it will be money well spent.
Then they can use the Alamodome for final four, conventions, soccer games (
EDIT: I should say that SA should build the Saints a new stadium once a permanent agreement is put in place. And the COPS and Metro Alliance people should shut the up and go along with something valuable to the city for a change.
I love sports, and I know what a team and stadium can do for a city, but I'm telling you I'll fight a stadium funded by San Antonio taxpayers.
That is Exhibit A of why an NFL franchise will never move here. It would mean much more money coming in than what we spent, but that will never happen.I love sports, and I know what a team and stadium can do for a city, but I'm telling you I'll fight a stadium funded by San Antonio taxpayers.
The same people voted on a lottery to finance education, but they won't allow a sports franchise to bring in tax dollars.
I think you have a better chance of driving to Mars and back before that ever happens.
Bexar County voters barely approved the SBC Center deal despite the Spurs having won their first championship. I think CA Stubbs still has enough gas left in the tank to beat down any new stadium financing vote.
The general consensus is that SA is a democratic-leaning city. The democrats are calling themselves "Progressives". San Antonio is anything BUT progressive.
SA needs to be saved from its own myopic views.
The alamo dome is not a pup tent.. It's got the square footage.. It's got new Jumbo's .. good clean seats. Plenty of toilets. It's also hosted Final 4's and NBA playoffs. Maybe some money to modernize it more but it will work.
DON'T TALK ABOUT OUR ALAMODOME loozer...
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