rocknrobn26 Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Saints to Stay in Louisiana Through 2010By MELINDA DESLATTE, Associated Press Writer 28 minutes ago BATON ROUGE, La. - The New Orleans Saints have come to an agreement with state officials that will keep the team in Louisiana through the 2010 season. Both sides agreed to toss out contract exit clauses that would have let the NFL team leave the state within the next four years. "For the foreseeable future, Louisiana's team will keep marching to victory right here," Gov. Kathleen Blanco said at the Governor's Mansion on Monday, announcing the latest developments in ongoing negotiations to keep the Saints in New Orleans. The contract had allowed the Saints to opt out of its current deal with the state by repaying about $70 million the state has provided in inducements to the team. But the Saints will drop that termination clause, and the state will eliminate its ability to opt out of the contract. Both sides agreed to continue negotiating on a long-term agreement that could keep the Saints in New Orleans beyond the current contract. Saints owner Tom Benson is "committed over the next four years to get a long-term deal done here and to stay here forever," said team spokesman Greg Bensel. The current $186.5 million contract with the Saints was negotiated in 2001 by former Gov. Mike Foster's administration and involves making annual payments to the team on top of other subsidies through 2010. Those state payments will continue. Blanco said she didn't agree to give the Saints any more money _ but ongoing upgrades to the Saints' home stadium, the New Orleans Superdome, will continue. Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage to the Superdome in 2005. The state repaired the domed stadium and invested another $185 million into improvements and upgrades long sought by Benson. Benson was in Phoenix on Monday for the NFL owners' meeting and was not at the Governor's Mansion for the announcement of the contract changes. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 I doubt it quiets the rumors for very long. This time next year they will be talking about it all over again. They really need to get a long term deal done I just don't think Blanco is interested enough in putting a real effort into it. She puts up a good front, but it's always seemed obvious to me that she couldn't care less about the Saints & sees them more as a burden than anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 i remember when i was around 8 and thought by 2010 we would have cars like the jetsons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkc217 Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 I doubt it quiets the rumors for very long. This time next year they will be talking about it all over again. They really need to get a long term deal done I just don't think Blanco is interested enough in putting a real effort into it. She puts up a good front, but it's always seemed obvious to me that she couldn't care less about the Saints & sees them more as a burden than anything. Plus she (Blanco) isn't running for governor again. This is better left to another, definitely not her. 2010 is only 3 years away. It’s just breathing room for an extra year really, for all parties involved to reassess post Katrina New Orleans. But, hey, with season tickets selling out in such a small market, I’d say the advantage goes to the Saints. With all the renovations to the Superdome, I'm wondering if Benson will still push for a new stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Swerski Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 With all the renovations to the Superdome, I'm wondering if Benson will still push for a new stadium. My understanding was that most of what they did was repair and that the renovation was relatively minor. He'll push for a new stadium at some point, as the dome is an outdated facility. But my guess is that he'll wait another five years or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyr0802 Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 I was hoping this was something definitive on Turner being traded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cunning Runt Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 i remember when i was around 8 and thought by 2010 we would have cars like the jetsons I do.... You mean you don't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdrudge Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 My understanding was that most of what they did was repair and that the renovation was relatively minor. He'll push for a new stadium at some point, as the dome is an outdated facility. But my guess is that he'll wait another five years or so. Before Katrina, was there enough fan interest to sell out every game and make sticking around financially worthwhile for the team? Now, I think I read the other day that the season tickets have already sold out and that there was a waiting list 20,000 long. I don't know if that is true, but it sounds like there is significantly more interest in the team that might help grease the wheels for a new stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Before Katrina, was there enough fan interest to sell out every game and make sticking around financially worthwhile for the team? Now, I think I read the other day that the season tickets have already sold out and that there was a waiting list 20,000 long. I don't know if that is true, but it sounds like there is significantly more interest in the team that might help grease the wheels for a new stadium. The success of the team has way more to do with the sellouts than Katrina. The Saints have always had a very loyal and avid fan base, but they're not going to pay to see a giant turd on the field. Getting a new coach, a viable QB & drafting Bush is what brought them back to the Dome not Katrina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Why would anyone want to leave New Orleans(besides for tons of cash that is)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockerbraves Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 i remember when i was around 8 and thought by 2010 we would have cars like the jetsons You mean like these? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFbuulDiM_U Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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