Saints to play in Superdome in 06
Saints have deal to return to Louisiana in '06
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
An agreement in principle struck between owner Tom Benson and NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue will return the New Orleans Saints to Louisiana for practice in 2006, and likely for the entire regular-season schedule.
The agreement, first reported by the San Antonio Express-News, was confirmed by two league owners, one of whom serves on the advisory committee that is counseling Benson on the direction of his franchise.
"Today we are very pleased to advise our entire organization -- coaches, players and staff -- that we will be returning to Metairie in January," Benson said Friday in a memo circulated to the team. "We are working in Louisiana to play as many games as possible in the Superdome, which may be ready in September."
Under the accord, which is expected to be finalized soon, the Saints will return to their permanent practice facility in Metairie, La., just outside of New Orleans. The state-owned training complex was commandeered by FEMA in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and used as a staging area. Saints officials had previously contended that the facility was in disrepair, but the damage was not nearly as severe as originally indicated.
"[The talks] haven't always been amicable, and [Benson] still has some doubts about all of this, but it looks like they're going back [to Louisiana]," one owner advising the Saints said.
It is believed that, with the Saints in Metairie, the team will split its 2006 schedule between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The Superdome in New Orleans has been projected to be ready for play in November, but officials hope repairs can be accelerated in coming months.
"It's too early to say whether the games will be played at the dome or in Louisiana," Tagliabue said Friday after meeting with Saints players and coaches for about five hours.
Tagliabue addressed concerns among players at Friday's meeting that they'd be returning for 2006, but with no guarantees past that.
"Our goal is to make it a multiyear effort," Tagliabue said. "There are a lot of things yet to be accomplished to make it more than a one-year arrangement. There are a lot of chicken-and-egg decisions. It's a complicated situation."
Asked whether the New Orleans market could support an NFL team long term, he said, "We think it can, but it's not a slam-dunk."
League officials have said they hope to announce the Saints' schedule next month. But team officials were recently apprised an announcement might not come until March. The players have been outspoken about wanting to play their games in the community in which they are practicing.
Benson's memo said the team has already reviewed with the NFL the Saints' preliminary 2006 schedule and that it includes "significantly reduced away-game travel."
Attendance for the four games played this season at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge was disappointing, averaging only slightly more than 40,000.
Three weeks ago, NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw advised the players not to renew their leases in San Antonio because the league was working hard to ensure their return to the Metairie facility for next season. That same day, however, in a separate session with players, Benson raised doubts about the return and reiterated that he might attempt to keep the team in San Antonio.
Benson has strong personal and professional ties to San Antonio, the suspicion remains that he would prefer to permanently relocate the franchise there. Benson fears that the rebuilding of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, a process expected to take years, will threaten the team's financial viability The Saints owner has told associates that he will lose $45 million for the 2005 season.
The league in general, and certainly Tagliabue in particular, have made it clear they prefer that the franchise remain in New Orleans, even if that means playing a portion of the 2006 schedule away from the Superdome. There have been reports that Benson, who would need approval from other owners to move his team, might considering suing the NFL for the right to relocate.
It appears that under the pending agreement the Saints will not return to San Antonio for any home games in 2006. The business community there has rallied around the team and has embraced the notion of having the Saints move to San Antonio permanently. Three games at the Alamodome averaged 62,666 fans, and Mayor Phil Hardberger has been a driving force in trying to lure the displaced franchise to his city.
While the efforts of San Antonio civic leaders may make no difference for 2006, it is believed that the agreement between Benson and Tagliabue is for next season only, and will be revisited after that. Given the blunted economic climate of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, it is conceivable that Benson will eventually attempt to relocate his team to San Antonio.
Asked whether Benson was reluctant to return to Louisiana amid suspicions he really wanted to move the team from New Orleans, Tagliabue said:
"Like everybody else, Mr. Benson has been dealing with things he felt he never would have to deal with. He's been looking at all alternatives, both pros and cons, short-term and long-term."
But Tagliabue also said it was Benson who came to him just before Christmas and urged returning the team to the training facility.
"With FEMA about to clear the facility and the National Guard would do the same, he felt [returning] would be a positive thing and a first step," Tagliabue said.
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who criticized Benson in October when San Antonio officials said they were working with the owner to keep the Saints in Texas permanently, offered a measured response to the announcement the team would return to Louisiana.
"After 30-plus years of supporting the Saints, it is somewhat encouraging that the Saints will play the next season in our city and state," Nagin said. "We are happy that New Orleanians who have lost so much will have an NFL team next season to call their own. ... We look forward to the day when the Saints organization will fully commit to this community and be a vital part of our recovery for many years to come."
Saints players have been critical of the league's overall handling of the situation. Players feel the NFL has not supported them and are upset that Tagliabue has not met with them until now, on their final day of practice for this season. The league office pointed out that Tagliabue twice previously requested to meet with players but that his efforts were rebuffed.
Saints to Return to Louisiana in 2006
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Saints receiver Joe Horn is looking forward to playing in Louisiana next season. That's one of the few clear things about the team's return.
"There were guys that didn't want to go back - the majority probably didn't want to go back," Horn said Friday, "but I can't wait to get back because its home."
While it now seems certain the Saints will return to Louisiana in 2006, exactly when and where they will play gets a little fuzzier.
Owner Tom Benson said Friday that the team might be able to return to the hurricane-ravaged Superdome as early as September, while NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue was far more cautious in setting a timetable.
"There are a lot of things yet to be accomplished to make it more than a one-year arrangement," Tagliabue said after meeting with Saints players and coaches for about five hours. "There are a lot of chicken-and-egg decisions. It's a complicated situation."
Asked whether New Orleans could support an NFL team long-term, he said, "We think it can, but it's not a slam dunk."
However, Benson said the state agency managing the Superdome told him the stadium can be ready for games by Sept. 15. But because earlier estimates put the target opening in November, Benson acknowledged he needed another 30 days to feel comfortable the September date can be met, adding:
"We might be back here on our bended knee asking to play a few more games."
On a more definite note, Benson said the Saints will return to their practice complex in Metairie, La., next month. Players have been told they will have access to the facility by Jan. 16.
Tagliabue urged a return to New Orleans to help in the ongoing rebuilding effort following Hurricane Katrina. But he wouldn't rule out more games in San Antonio in 2006, a city he said would "be on anyone's short list" if the league expands.
"It's too early to say whether the games will be played at the dome or in Louisiana," Tagliabue said.
At least one Saints player has serious doubts about any fall opening, no matter the month.
"I don't think the Superdome will be ready next year at all," guard Kendyl Jacox said. "They were saying November. I don't think it'll be ready by then, either."
Bill Curl, a Superdome spokesman, called the September date "not totally conclusive, but within the realm of possibility."
"It probably won't be absolutely complete, but we could be able to safely and comfortably accommodate a capacity crowd," he said. "There could be some unfinished painting and some work going on in back-of-the-house areas or finishing the trim in the suites, but you could still be there. ... That's what we're hoping for.
"Whenever it is ready - and, hopefully, in September - it certainly will be a national event and a lot of eyes will be focused on the dome and saying, 'Wow, they did it.' That's why this urgency to get it ready is so important."
Benson said the Saints' return would pump a projected $550 million in economic benefits back into the state.
"In the spirit of the rebuilding of New Orleans, we are fully committed to making the Saints better than ever," he said during a press conference in Metairie before flying to San Antonio.
The Saints moved their training camp to San Antonio after Katrina devastated New Orleans on Aug. 29, just before the start of the season. Then they played one "home" game in New Jersey, three in San Antonio and four in Baton Rouge, La. The Saints averaged about 40,000 fans at LSU's Tiger Stadium and more than 60,000 at the Alamodome, while stumbling to a 3-12 record. They will finish the season Sunday at Tampa Bay.
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who criticized Benson in October when San Antonio officials said they were working with the owner to keep the Saints in Texas, offered a measured response to the news that the team would return.
"After 30-plus years of supporting the Saints, it is somewhat encouraging that the Saints will play the next season in our city and state," Nagin said. "We are happy that New Orleanians, who have lost so much, will have an NFL team next season to call their own. ... We look forward to the day when the Saints organization will fully commit to this community and be a vital part of our recovery for many years to come."
