Wow, a lot more conjecture. Expected. You know why San Antonio was passed over previously? Cause it was nowhere near as big as it is now. Neither was Austin. Both have grown tremendously over the last decade. So I guess that answers why they didn't expand there. Also, the Spurs were 9th in the league in attendance in the regular season. Out of 30 teams. Does that sound like a fan base not supporting it's team? Everything you are saying is groundless, and I pray that people in the state of Louisiana who actually have the ability to do something about the Saints leaving are not thinking the same thing. It was the same thing with Oklahoma City. They weren't even on the NBA's map until they showed out in droves for the Hornets, just like when the Saints played in San Antonio. It took a tragic event to put the cities in their respective league's eyes, but they are there. Like I said, I have facts. You have conjecture based on overblowing some interviews you saw during the Finals. I wonder which is more relevant?

:handguns: rebutt away :lightsabre:

Nice to see ya again whodi.

*sigh* Who is "us Saints fans?" I'm a Saints fan. Born and raised in New Orleans. I left when I was 23 to join the army. You're no more a Saints fan than me. But I will combat unfounded bias and blatant mischaracterization. You know why the Spurs were 9th in attendance? Seating. Other arenas just hold more seats than the AT&T Center. There's a fact you ignored. Also, the Mayor of a city doesn't reflect all of it's people, unless you reflect Nagin. Benson tried to move our team "like a thief in the night" and he went to the mayors of San An, Austin, and Laredo to do so. Maybe you should point the finger where it belongs. Benson ONLY went back to New Orleans cause he was forced to. Hardburglar was like a salivating opportunist once BENSON voiced his want to move, but the people of San Antonio did not feel that way. At least the ones I deal with. No one wanted a team that way, so your saying "San Antonio" tried to steal the Saints is incorrect. A crooked owner and hard up mayor tried, and failed.

Second, what does it matter what gear was being worn in the stands? The Saints aren't from San Antonio. I was in the stands with OTHER SAINTS FANS in MY Saints gear, but how many Saints fans you think live in San Antonio? Oh, not many. That point doesn't even make sense. You wanted people to run out and buy jerseys for a team they would see 3 games, and give up teams they have probably had for life? Really? Come on now. The difference would be if they actually were the San Antonio Saints, which Thank God they aren't.

Third, San Antonio differs from L.A. in that L.A. has tried and failed, and there are NUMEROUS other interests in L.A. outside of football, not the least of which is USC. A football team would instantly be the biggest thing in this whole area, bigger than the Spurs even, cause the NFL AS A LEAGUE is head and shoulders above the NBA and any other sports league. That's another fact.

Here's another fact for you: Guess what the Patriots attendance was last year. 16th in the league. The Colts were dead last, the superbowl winner. See for yourself:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/attendance

Even in superbowl years, the Pats never cracked the top 10 in attendance. Seems you are overrating that very insignificant fact, which is necessary I understand to push your point.

So please, check your "facts" and come again. Or don't. But at least try to be on the right track.

I tried to understand some of this, but it got difficult. I'll piece together what I can:

Where did I say anything good about Hardburglar? Seems kinda redundant to tell me he is no better than Benson. He associated with scum and thus is scum. I never disagreed.

Second, where did I say San An was gonna build a brand new stadium for a football team? The talk was of San An, Austin, and Laredo combining on a venture, and the Lt. Gov of the state even mentioned allocating some funds to assist. Benson had gotten pretty deep on planning. Also, you may wanna update your knowledge on the stadium in San Antonio. The Spurs have played in 3 venues in the last 20 years or so. First the Hemisfair, then they moved to the Alamodome when it was built, and they got the AT&T Center just 5 years ago. Probably not smart to build a new basketball arena just 5 years after building one huh? So, what does that say about the city to you now?

And why would me living in San An cause me to "forget my heritage?" That's utterly ridiculous. Most all of my family lived in New Orleans up until Katrina, and most of them still do. How could I ever possibly "forget my heritage?" There is no where else I would claim as home other than New Orleans, but I have come to and do love San Antonio. It helped I had been a Spurs fan since they drafted David Robinson on my birthday 20 years ago though, and that my uncle was stationed here when he was in the Air Force, as well as my sister when she was in the Army.

The last point about the attendance must have been above my level. I wasn't able to put together anything to argue out of that, so i'll let it stand as is. I think my point about attendance levels for "championship teams" stands well enough on it's own, and has no bearing on supposed loyalty. It's something that's being made up now to push a point that has already been washed away. I'd really think about moving on from there, if there is anything else you want to add.

Last year I went to Reliant to see the Texans twice. Where ever a new dome is built, it needs to be like Reliant. That place is simply gorgeous. And someone better get busy with the building because the NFL is liable to push the Saints to LA, which would be unimaginable. I hate California.

I'll be going to Reliant this year for the first time for Saints/Texans. I have seen it numerous times since my sister lived in Houston about a mile or so from it, but have never attended a game there. I am looking forward to it.

The facts you have are a little more bias than you want to admit. The fact that you proved my point a few posts ago when you said that San Antonians didn't have money to waste on a Championship finals that they knew the Spurs were going to win. During the finals that was all they talked about, the lack of excitement and interest the fans had in their home town team. Fact, there's always been Saints fans in Dallas, a hell of a lot more than in San Antonio. Fact, I knew at some point in this conversation you were going to bring up the Saints games in San Antonio, what you fail to mention was a lot of those fans that were in attendence were dislocated New Orleanians. Majority of those fans were true Saints fans from New Orleans, and that my friend is a FACT. I told you before, San Antonio is nothing more than leverage in contract talks for Mr. Benson and the State of Louisiana, as well as L.A. You honestly think Benson would pick San Antonio over Los Angeles when Texas have two franchises there already and L.A. have none, let's be real about this, it'll never happen. Look Whodi, I not disrespecting San Antonio in any way but the true facts remain, San Antonio will never, ever, have a NFL franchise located there, if it were possible it would have happen. And as far as Oklahoma City goes, what else is there? Nothing, no competition, the only thing in the State of Oklahoma are the Sooners and the Cowboys.

You'll love it and I will be there as well! It's 2 1/2 hours away from me, but with my job, Houston is as good as I can get when it comes to pros in person.