Saints may move to San Antonio permanently

FloridaMan88 · 09-04-2005, 12:15 PM

Talk about kicking a city while their down, jeez.

From The New Orleans Times-Picayune:

Saints may move to San Antonio

Senator urges Benson to delay his decision

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.

**Bwana** · 09-04-2005, 12:17 PM

Ouch, I thought they may pack it up and head to LA, but not San Antonio.

09-04-2005, 12:27 PM

The Saints should be the last thing on the minds of New Orleans and Louisiana politicians.

Coach · 09-04-2005, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boardin Bronco

The Saints should be the last thing on the minds of New Orleans and Louisiana politicians.

No shit. Too bad Benson doesn't think of that way, unfortunately. He's still wanting to move the Saints out of NO, regardless of what is happening.

Katipan · 09-04-2005, 12:47 PM

Even if they clean the city up in time for next year's season, who the hell is going to have the money to fork over for games and merchandise?

Empty seats and no fan support next year is little better than trying to find a place to start over now.

ChiefsCountry · 09-04-2005, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

Ouch, I thought they may pack it up and head to LA, but not San Antonio.

I think the NFL wants the right owner for LA, they don't want Benson to own the LA team.

09-04-2005, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mer

Even if they clean the city up in time for next year's season, who the hell is going to have the money to fork over for games and merchandise?

Empty seats and no fan support next year is little better than trying to find a place to start over now.

Tom Benson gets plenty of revenue from the television contact. The other NFL owners need to step up and help the Saints through this tough time by providing them with extra revenue to compete. The NFL is such a cash cow they can make it happen if they really want to. No city should ever lose a professional sports team due to a natural disaster.

New Orleans has been good to the NFL for almost 40 years. They have hosted 9 Super Bowls. This is the wrong time for the NFL to turn their back on a city that's made a lot of money for them.

Unfortunately, GREED runs this country and Benson is going to pull off a move more cold-blooded than Irsay's/Modell's.

**Bwana** · 09-04-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boardin Bronco

Tom Benson gets plenty of revenue from the television contact. The other NFL owners need to step up and help the Saints through this tough time by providing them with extra revenue to compete. The NFL is such a cash cow they can make it happen if they really want to. No city should ever lose a professional sports team due to a natural disaster.

New Orleans has been good to the NFL for almost 40 years. They have hosted 9 Super Bowls. This is the wrong time for the NFL to turn their back on a city that's made a lot of money for them.

Unfortunately, GREED runs this country and Benson is going to pull off a move more cold-blooded than Irsay's/Modell's.

I agree, but owning an NFL team is a business and Benson is going to make the move that puts the most Bling Bling in his pocket, mark my words.

Duck Dog · 09-04-2005, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mer

Even if they clean the city up in time for next year's season, who the hell is going to have the money to fork over for games and merchandise?

Empty seats and no fan support next year is little better than trying to find a place to start over now.

The people making bundles to re-build the city.

FloridaMan88 · 09-04-2005, 01:23 PM

I think they should play their home games in Baton Rouge (when the city is able to accomodate them, whenever that may be this season) and that city should get consideration as a permanent home, if they decide keeping the Saints in New Orleans is no longer feasible.

Re-name them the Louisiana Saints maybe.

Valiant · 09-04-2005, 01:36 PM

Until Arrowhead gets another Superbowl I could give a **** if N.O. hosts them all the time....

Yes it is a cop-out to move his team this way, but how long will it take for the people of N.O. to get back to the financial level to attend football games??? I am guessing 3-4years, there is no way a owner would deal with that even if the NFL bailed him out every year...

On another note, that stadium is toast.. Do you really think the citizens of N.O. will vote/pay for a new stadium because you know no owner is going to build one anymore...

chiefqueen · 09-04-2005, 01:37 PM

The FOX 4 weather guy said on TV last night he heard a rumor Saints' season tix holders were not getting refunds on their 2005 tickets.

Thig Lyfe · 09-04-2005, 01:43 PM

While I don't see that much of a problem with trying to move the team,

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefqueen

The FOX 4 weather guy said on TV last night he heard a rumor Saints' season tix holders were not getting refunds on their 2005 tickets.

^ THAT is just horrible.

Valiant · 09-04-2005, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefqueen

The FOX 4 weather guy said on TV last night he heard a rumor Saints' season tix holders were not getting refunds on their 2005 tickets.

Hmmm class action lawsuit here we come.. That would be some straight up bullshit if he does move the team and does not give refunds.... He might become more hated then the hurricane..

Herzig · 09-04-2005, 01:46 PM

San Antonio may be a good spot for them. I had no idea how big San Antonio was until I visited there this summer. It's the 8th largest city in the US...

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0763098.html

09-04-2005, 12:15 PM
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $2842906	Saints may move to San Antonio permanently Talk about kicking a city while their down, jeez. From The New Orleans Times-Picayune: Saints may move to San Antonio Senator urges Benson to delay his decision 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.
Posts: 38,759

09-04-2005, 12:17 PM	#2
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139233647	Ouch, I thought they may pack it up and head to LA, but not San Antonio. __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
Posts: 69,788

09-04-2005, 12:27 PM	#3
Boardin Bronco Guest Casino cash: $	The Saints should be the last thing on the minds of New Orleans and Louisiana politicians.
Posts: n/a

09-04-2005, 12:47 PM	#5
Katipan MER Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $2500351	Even if they clean the city up in time for next year's season, who the hell is going to have the money to fork over for games and merchandise? Empty seats and no fan support next year is little better than trying to find a place to start over now.
Posts: 22,814

09-04-2005, 01:23 PM	#10
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $2842906	I think they should play their home games in Baton Rouge (when the city is able to accomodate them, whenever that may be this season) and that city should get consideration as a permanent home, if they decide keeping the Saints in New Orleans is no longer feasible. Re-name them the Louisiana Saints maybe.
Posts: 38,759

09-04-2005, 01:36 PM	#11
Valiant Valiant 'The Thread Killer' Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $6222380	Until Arrowhead gets another Superbowl I could give a **** if N.O. hosts them all the time.... Yes it is a cop-out to move his team this way, but how long will it take for the people of N.O. to get back to the financial level to attend football games??? I am guessing 3-4years, there is no way a owner would deal with that even if the NFL bailed him out every year... On another note, that stadium is toast.. Do you really think the citizens of N.O. will vote/pay for a new stadium because you know no owner is going to build one anymore...
Posts: 18,370

09-04-2005, 01:37 PM	#12
chiefqueen On my throne Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $8152060	The FOX 4 weather guy said on TV last night he heard a rumor Saints' season tix holders were not getting refunds on their 2005 tickets.
Posts: 4,179

09-04-2005, 01:46 PM	#15
Herzig Wooooooo Pig Soooooiiiie!!! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northwest Arkansas Casino cash: $9984900	San Antonio may be a good spot for them. I had no idea how big San Antonio was until I visited there this summer. It's the 8th largest city in the US... http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0763098.html __________________
Posts: 2,554