rajncajn Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 (edited) http://blog.nola.com/saintsbeat/2009/04/de...state_woul.html http://blog.nola.com/news_impact/2009/04/superdome-plan.jpg New Orleans Saints and Louisiana work out a deal for team to stay at Superdome through 2025Posted by Nakia Hogan and Kate Moran, The Times-Picayune April 29, 2009 10:33PM Categories: Saints Ted Jackson, The Times-PicayuneSaints owner Tom Benson and team executive Rita Benson LeBlanc talk to reporters about the new deal with the state. After more than a year of negotiating, the Saints say they have reached a tentative agreement with the state that will keep the NFL franchise in New Orleans through 2025, remove the need for a new stadium by upgrading the Superdome and resurrect an abandoned section of the Central Business District with a refurbished office tower and a new sports entertainment district. The sides are expected to announce and sign a memorandum of understanding today during a news conference at the Superdome. As part of the deal, which officials said could save the state $281 million when compared with the current agreement that pays the Saints $23 million in subsidies, the state would make $85 million in improvements to the Dome, and Saints owner Tom Benson and his family would buy the vacant Dominion Tower and New Orleans Centre and lease office space back to the state. The deal also would create a new sports district, increase the potential for stadium revenue and shift more of the financial burden on the Saints by eliminating fixed payments and reducing subsidies based on the team's financial performance. "Our community is coming back slowly, and I think this is going to be the shot in the arm that's going to keep it going in that direction, " Benson said Wednesday. "I really believe that this is going to be something that is going to be very sound for our community." Benson credited Gov. Bobby Jindal and his administration for putting the many pieces of the deal together. "You had a lot of the same people in there, and our governor is a very intelligent young man, " he said. "He's not easy to negotiate with, but he's very intelligent. And when you do that, it makes it a lot easier to get things done. He sees both sides of the fence. They've reached some, and we've reached a lot." The deal still needs approval from the Legislature, which will have to approve $85 million for Superdome improvements. State officials and lawmakers say the money will likely come from the state's surplus. Members of the Superdome Commission briefed Jindal's senior staff and the chairmen of legislative committees Wednesday morning and unveiled the plan to the New Orleans and Jefferson Parish delegation over lunch. "There was a lot of excitement about the savings to the state, " Superdome Chairman Ron Forman said. "There were still concerns because this is a tough fiscal year. But we also believe that if we are going to have professional sports in New Orleans, this is so much better than what we had before. And when we show the savings to the legislators, we think we will get whatever we need." Edited April 30, 2009 by rajncajn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 So they are not going after the tax payer but allowing the Saints to buy business buildings and improve districts while more than likely creating new jobs (or at least relocating them?). Hey Chargers...take a look see!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 After more than a year of negotiating, the Saints say they have reached a tentative agreement with the state that will keep the NFL franchise in New Orleans through 2025, remove the need for a new stadium by upgrading the Superdome and resurrect an abandoned section of the Central Business District with a refurbished office tower and a new sports entertainment district. I like it when government and business can partner and get things done. This should be a win-win for the team and the city. I also like it when teams stay and renovate their stadiums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonkeyOne Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Sounds like win-win for everyone involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbimm Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Drats. Here I was thinking I could take them with me to South Carolina when I leave this summer. Oh well, NFL ticket here I come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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