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-   -   Benson can leave with no penalty? (https://blackandgold.com/saints/10290-benson-can-leave-no-penalty.html)

saintswhodi 10-07-2005 09:09 AM

Benson can leave with no penalty?
 
Quote:

Contract grants Saints latitude
Web Posted: 10/07/2005 12:00 AM CDT

Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer

A contractual deadline has placed the New Orleans Saints and the state of Louisiana on a short-term collision course over whether the team will stay in New Orleans or move — possibly to San Antonio.




City officials here are monitoring sensitive, preliminary talks between attorneys for Saints owner Tom Benson and the controlling authority for the Louisiana Superdome, which was heavily damaged in Hurricane Katrina.

With New Orleans struggling to recover in Katrina's aftermath, both sides would prefer to wait to discuss the Saints' future. However, a disaster clause in the Saints' lease agreement with the state is likely to force the team's hand within the next eight weeks.

Both sides agree the damage Katrina did to the Superdome has opened a 90-day window in which the Saints could declare "force majeure" and void all contractual obligations with the state over use of the stadium.

Force majeure, or "greater force," is a legal term that frees parties from liability when an "act of God" prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their contractual obligation.

Such a declaration likely would signal Benson's intention to move his team permanently. Sources close to Benson say San Antonio, where the Saints are currently headquartered, is Benson's first preference as a relocation option. NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue wants to place a team in Los Angeles, but he is opposed to a Saints move.

Attorney Larry Roedel, who represents the Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District that operates the dome, concedes that the Superdome has been seriously damaged and that the force majeure clause probably has been triggered.

"Although there may be some debate on that subject, the 90 days probably began when Hurricane Katrina struck (Aug. 29), and we realized the dome had significant damage," Roedel said Thursday.

Attorney Phil Wittmann, who represents the Saints and Benson in Louisiana, agreed.

"The events of Aug. 29 would certainly fit the bill (for force majeure)," Wittmann said. "The clock may well be ticking."

Still, Louisiana attorneys say the state has legal standing to insist that the lease agreement, which runs through the 2010 season, remain in place. Roedel says the state may have trumped force majeure by providing the Saints with an alternate facility — Tiger Stadium on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.

"One of the reasons why we wanted to secure LSU's Tiger Stadium was to give the Saints a viable alternative to play as many home games as possible in Louisiana and lessen the chances that contractually they would opt to go somewhere else," Roedel said.

Tagliabue, intent to keep the Saints in New Orleans and apparently aware of the clause's ramifications, orchestrated an agreement last month to move four Saints home games to Tiger Stadium.

At Benson's insistence, three others were rebooked for the Alamodome. The Saints made their Alamodome debut Oct. 2 with a 19-7 victory over the Buffalo Bills before 58,866. The team returns to the Alamodome on Oct. 16 to face the Atlanta Falcons.

The first of the Saints' four games in Baton Rouge is Oct. 30 against the Miami Dolphins.

Still, the biggest date on the Saints' calendar this season could be Nov. 28 — the 90-day mark from when Katrina hit the Gulf South.

According to the lease agreement between the Saints and Louisiana, the team can opt out of the contract at the end of this season by paying the state an $81 million exit penalty.

But the contract also includes a clause headed "No Liability" that states: "In the event that any home game contemplated by this agreement cannot be played due to force majeure, the obligations of the parties hereto shall be suspended and there shall be no liability or claim for rent or damages whatsoever by any party against any other party hereto with respect to such home game."

Another clause under the heading "Total Destruction" reads: "If the Superdome is damaged or destroyed to such an extent as to render it wholly unfit for the purposes herein intended, the club shall have the option to terminate this agreement within 90 days after such damage or destruction by service of a written notice upon manager of its intention to do so. Upon such termination, the rights and obligations of the club hereunder shall cease as fully and completely as if the final date for the termination of this agreement has been reached."

Wittmann said the Saints have not decided whether they would claim force majeure and exercise the "Total Destruction" clause.

"I'm not going to rule it out or rule it in," Wittmann said. "It's not something we have focused on at this point. Our energy really has been devoted on getting Baton Rouge ready (for Saints games)."

Although Roedel said he has "no inkling" as to whether the Saints would claim force majeure, he conceded the issue could end up in arbitration.

"It's possible there could be a dispute between the Saints and the state over the rights of the parties given at least the partial destruction of the Superdome," Roedel said.

SMG, the company that manages and staffs the Superdome, hired the Ellerbee Beckett design firm to determine whether the Superdome could be repaired or would have to be torn down. A final report from Ellerbee Beckett's eight-member team, which includes structural and mechanical engineers, is expected before the end of the October, Roedel said.

"(The Superdome) is a vital piece of the puzzle, and we are working toward getting specific answers," said Tim Coulon, a Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District commissioner.

But if the Superdome is unavailable, Roedel and other exposition district officials want the Saints to play their home games in Louisiana next season.

"Tiger Stadium is the logical venue," Roedel said. "If there were conflicts at LSU, perhaps the Saints would consider other places such as Independence Stadium in Shreveport."

Said Coulon: "I think (the Saints) know that if they commit themselves to being part of the rebuilding processes, they would probably be playing at LSU next year. But we have not had any formal discussions about that."

Wittmann said the Saints have not decided where they would play next season should the Superdome be unavailable.

Legal experts say the Saints have the upper hand in any dispute with the state regarding force majeure.

"(The Saints) would have a strong case for terminating because, at least at the present time, the Superdome is wholly unfit as a venue for any NFL game," said Ronald J. Mann, a University of Texas law professor. "It is very difficult for the state to argue that the facility is not unfit."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/s....1d478f4c.html

Where are the lawyers on here? Is this correct?

Tobias-Reiper 10-07-2005 09:18 AM

... don't listen to Brooks in NFL Total Access then... it'll really piss you off :)

Tags is saying he's opposed now, but just wait for next Summer...

Euphoria 10-07-2005 09:43 AM

What city officials, they all been fired... lol. Nothing to get our panties in a wad over, Tag has stepped in and overseeing every move the Saints/Benson makes now. The Saints are staying.

saintswhodi 10-07-2005 09:47 AM

You do know team moves are subject to an owner vote and Tags can't just say "you aren't moving" right? He can voice his opinion in an effort to influence owenrs to vote a certain way, but the decision isn't his. Kinda like Modell taking the Browns to Baltimore in the middle of the night. The thing is though, amongst owners it has been said Benson doesn't have many friends, so they may shoot him down for spite. But statements like "The commissioner said it won't happen" hold no weight if the owners approve the move.

Also, the commissioner can not take over any aspects of a franchise, but he can steer events in a certain direction, like games in Baton Rouge. He is the most powerful sports commissioner on the planet, but even he has rules he has to play by. any decisions will still ultimately be Benson's and not the commissioner's.

ScottyRo 10-07-2005 10:13 AM

What would be really great is if Benson would terminate the contract with the state via the "force majeure" clause and then not be able to move the team because the NFL and its owners will not let him. Then he'd be stuck in La with no negotiating power and no payments due. :D

saintswhodi 10-07-2005 10:16 AM

What would be even better is if the dome was declared a total disaster, and the insurance money, plus whatever money we could get from "The Saints aren't moving" Tagliabue and the league would be enough to build an entirely new stadium, giving Benson no reason to leave.

yasoon 10-07-2005 10:31 AM

Quote:

What would be even better is if the dome was declared a total disaster, and the insurance money, plus whatever money we could get from "The Saints aren't moving" Tagliabue and the league would be enough to build an entirely new stadium, giving Benson no reason to leave.
I've been saying that all along Whodi. I hope that's where this is headed.

I still can't tell how much Tom is being villainized in the press versus how much he truly wants to go to San Antonio.


Tobias....what did AB say?

saintswhodi 10-07-2005 11:15 AM

They keep reporting he wants to go to SA, and Tags forced the games in Baton Rouge. Bottom line is though, the mayor of SA made it clear they are not building a new stadium, and are not paying exorbitant costs to remodel the Alamodome. So unless Benson wants to pay for either of these scenarios himself, or ask the league to, the best option is for the city and state to do whatever they can to ensure they get funds to build a new stadium.

Tobias-Reiper 10-07-2005 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saintswhodi
He is the most powerful sports commissioner on the planet.

Joseph Blatter may argue that :)

... don't put too much hope on a new stadium being built, or on the Dome being rebuilt. There is a lot of infrastructure that needs to be rebuilt... certainly rebuilding the Dome/building a new stadium is not a priority at this time; I mean, what would be the point in rebuilding the Dome or in building a new stadium if no one is going to be able to go there, or, say, you can't get running water into it?...

..and don't put too much hope on the insurance either... insurance doesn't cover everything...

saintswhodi 10-07-2005 01:49 PM

duplicate post

saintswhodi 10-07-2005 01:49 PM

I'm not saying they should rebuild it or build a new one this summer TR. But there should be a plan for it. It doesn't have to be first priority, hell, it shouldn't be, but there should at least be a plan for it to be done, insuring the Saints will stay in NO once the city is rebuilt.

Tobias-Reiper 10-08-2005 03:46 PM

[quote="yasoon"]
Quote:



Tobias....what did AB say?
He was saying how great the S.A. fans are and how much they want to have an NFL franchise in there... how great the city of S.A. has been, ... and that S.A. deserves a franchise ... that most everyone in the organization has settled in S.A>..

..he sounded like he wanted to stay.... guess no one is booing himn in S.A., just yet :)

Euphoria 10-08-2005 04:10 PM

The owners will have to approve any more... don't see that happening just yet.

Halo 10-08-2005 04:45 PM

AB doesn't come across as the smartest person on or off the field. He should probably keep his mouth shut. Most of the organization is in San Antonio but they are about to move operations over to Baton Rouge as now they are starting to fill offices on Interline ave. I dunno. I think a Saints move to SA or anywhere would be bad PR this year and in coming years. The NFL and tag know that. Benson says nothing because he has to look out for the best deal he can get, but he doesn't do much to comfort anyone in New Orleans.

I thought they declared the inside of the Dome a total loss. ScottyRo have you heard anything about this? I know they submitted renovation plans with everything the Saints wanted in their package so insurance and federal aide could kick in. Don't think they are going to knock it down, but I could be wrong.

saintswhodi 10-08-2005 04:59 PM

Quote:

AB doesn't come across as the smartest person on or off the field. He should probably keep his mouth shut.
How dare you make these statements about AB Halo. He is the greatest player to ever lace 'em up pal, and you need to bow to his greatness ASAP. Basher. :shock:

Halo 10-08-2005 05:26 PM

:drink: Geaux AB. I respect him. Here goes, the Great Halo will tell you what he thinks.

I think AB is one of the best raw talents in the NFL. Probably a better pocket passer then his cousin Mike Vick. But I blame AB's problems on coaching, plain and simple.

I think if he was under another coach, not going to name anyone but there are some great coaches out there, he would be motivated to be more aggressive and more of a leader.

I think AB has already put his foot in his mouth before, especially with the comments 2 years ago about fans and his excuses, and beating people "with his eyes" after a BIG loss. I blame the GM and organization as AB is someone who needs some PR coaching and needs to keep it simple and keep his mouth shut mostly.

I think Jim Haslett is one of the hardest working coaches in the NFL. He's up early in the AM and works 'till late. He's a great coach. I just don't think the Saints and players in the NFL are completely sold on his system or he just doesn't completely motivate the team every week. It's not that he's a bad coach, it's the opposite, he's a good coach... I've been on a Saints practice field and he is very organized. I'm not sure the Saints or other NFL teams for that matter react to his motivations and attitude- he may be too much of a players coach. He may be a great defensive coordinator and not a head coach, I don't know, this year was important and it will be hard to tell from this season.

AB has improved leaps and bounds with this new offensive cooridinator we have. I think McCarthy was merely a one hit wonder and the first year playoff run was a fluke.

I don't think AB sucks by any means, but the only thing I ever bowed to was this hotty I met from Lafayette in college at LSU... by far the hottest piece of you know what I have even seen or touched in my life. I got on my knees and thanked her... she was that hot! I also bow down in church, but that's about it.

PS - I bowed down to my CPA once when I got a $2500 tax credit a few years back. And that's about all I remember bowing down to.


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