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I have mixed feelings about this.
Saints to move?
By Robert Travis Scott
Capital bureau
New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson is leaning strongly toward moving the Saints permanently to San Antonio following the devastation to the city and the Superdome by Hurricane Katrina, a state senator who has spoken with a top team official said Saturday.
Sen. Mike Michot, R-Lafayette, said he spoke with Saints’ chief of administration Arnold Fielkow by phone Friday morning about Benson’s potential plans.
Team officials could not be reached Saturday. The team had previously announced it was looking for a new home for the current season, and San Antonio was one of the options.
Michot said he was told that Benson has not made a final decision, but the owner is serious about moving once and for all to San Antonio. “We may lose them permanently,” Michot said.
A possible move by the team is a “huge concern” among a few state officials who have become aware of it, but every significant political figure in the state is preoccupied with reacting to the storm aftermath.
State officials want to convince Benson to delay a decision so that the state can focus on the rescue and rehabilitation effort and later find a way to keep the Saints at home in New Orleans.
“This is like pouring salt into the wound,” Michot said.
Michot said decency dictates that Benson should postpone any decision on a permanent move until state officials have had a chance to talk with him.
“Give us time,” Michot said.
Another state official confirmed a similar conversation with Fielkow.
Michot is the vice-chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, a key committee for legislation related to state agreement with the Saints.
He said that in the long run the Saints might be better off staying in New Orleans because a revived city with national support could provide a better stadium.
LINK
Last edited by TheWriter; 09-04-2005 at 08:43 PM.
I have mixed feelings about this.
No way they step into that PR nightmare, no way.
I think the city has much bigger problems than providing a "better" stadium for the Saints (read, a load of $$$$).He said that in the long run the Saints might be better off staying in New Orleans because a revived city with national support could provide a better stadium.
I honestly don't think Benson cares about PR. The guy is a business man, not some publicist.
If the NFL wants good PR, all they'd have to do is spin it as a need to relocate the team to SA. And that once New Orleans has everything in place in the future, they'll give them a new team.
IF you don't think teams do what the NFL wants them to do, you're kidding yourself.I honestly don't think Benson cares about PR. The guy is a business man, not some publicist
It's not like the Saints are only going to be here for 7 games. It's going to take a couple of years to rebuild that city to any reasonable level.
You need to pull your head out and wake up to the realities of the situation. If the Dome isn't ready next year for the Saints, they will be playing ball in Baton Rouge (closer to their fan base), as part of the healing process.
I know you have a hard on for the NFL, but if you want to a see a team in SA it won't be the Saints. It'll be us wowing the NFL when we have the Saints, then ponying up probably $100 million (at least) in renovations to the Alamodome, then we'll get an expansion team.
After all the rebuilding that is about to take place, there is no way that the NFL will make that city suffer through an "expansion team" growing its wings, no way.
If Benson wants to move the team here, he will. Face reality. The MAN owns the team. He makes the decisions. That's why he's the owner.
If Benson said he's moving the team and wants the Dome updated, you best believe construction would start in March.
Whatever you say Buddy Holly.
You do realize that all moves of teams have to be approved by a majority vote of owners in the league, right?
1) We have his crap ass auto dealerships
2) Alamo Stadium needs a minimum of 7,500 fans to open all seats
3) We already have the "Silver Stars" to suck the life from us (figuratively guys, not literally...) with no return
4) Joe Horn would have to change Cell Phone Companies
5) There is not enough booze in SA (like there is...uh, was...in NO) to make us like a team of that caliber.
Just to state a few reasons WHY NOT...
Exactly, owners, not the NFL. O-W-N-E-R-S
You do realize that all moves of teams have to be approved by a majority vote of owners in the league, right?
I doubt it happens.
If it does, Im first in line for season tickets.
Ditto.
No they don't.
You do realize that all moves of teams have to be approved by a majority vote of owners in the league, right?
Sincerely,
Al Davis, Robert Irsay, Art Modell
That being said, I think this article is BS. If he were seriously thinking along these lines, he'd have committed this year's schedule to SA already. So far, we haven't even gotten one game.
1) HAHA!
2) Now the moves HAVE to be approved
3) We will get NO (that is ZERO, not New Orleans) games. They know they will lose $$ if they do that.
Los Angeles is in line for a franchise first.
http://www.wdsu.com/sports/4934334/detail.html
Saints To Play In San Antonio: No Refunds
POSTED: September 4, 2005
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The New Orleans Saints will play all home games and San Antonio and will not refund ticket holders, according to a high-ranking official with the team who contacted a WDSU sports reporter. An official announcement is expected in the next day or two.
Technically, yes, but since NO owner wants to have his move disapproved, they rubber stamp the moves, so it's a fangless rule. There has NEVER been a move stopped. In the twenty years or so of the franchise free agency era, the following teams have moved:2) Now the moves HAVE to be approved
Colts to Indy
Cards to Arizona
Raiders to LA, and back to Oakland
Rams to StL
Oilers to Tennesee
Browns to Baltimore as Ravens
That would be kick ass if they did stay in San Antonio permanently but I won't believe it until I see it.
Benson's going to get his ass sued if he doesn't refund the $$$$
And there lies the burden on SA...Do you want to be a part of that? Not me!
What a fine outpouring of sympathy from San Antonians towards the traumatized folk of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana.
San Antonian: You poor people. God Bless you all. How horrible and responsible the government is because 90% of you thought it would be easier to get heli-rescued than uh...walk. Here, let us help you and let us welcome you to our fair city.
But um...we're keeping your football team.
It just gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling all over. Brotherly love is awesome.
Think positive...
Do you know how great this would be for San Antonio, all happening in one year?
It's not his fault the superdome can't be used why should he pay for an act of God, I'm sure he's consulted his lawyers.
Sure...Tell me about it after your tax bill over the next 20 yrs...Home/Car/City/VIA, etc...etc...
This stuff will not be for free ya know! Even a free lunch is not free...someone has to pay for it!
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