Benson Releases Statement

TallySaint · 10-21-2005, 02:05 PM

Updated: Oct. 21, 2005, 2:52 PM ET

Saints go marching out? Owner denies report
ESPN.com news services

Will Tom Benson take the Saints out of New Orleans for good?

The Saints' owner plans to void his lease agreement for the Louisiana Superdome, the San Antonio Expresss-News reported Friday, citing unusability.

The move likely would pave the way for a permanent relocation to San Antonio, the Saints' interim home.

In a statement released Friday, Benson said:

"I would like to make it clear that no decisions have been made regarding our future plans and none will be made until after the 2005 season is concluded.

"There are many factors that will affect the future location of our team. However, that is also true of many other New Orleans-based companies that are faced with deciding their future homes. The next few months should provide all of us with a clearer picture which will help us make those decisions."

While San Antonio public officials have been preparing for the possibility of receiving the Saints, Mayor Phil Hardberger told the paper he's following Benson's lead.

"Tom has made it clear he really doesn't want to enter negotiations until the end of the season, and I respect that," Hardberger said Thursday.

Negotiations between San Antonio officials and the Saints reportedly are planned for early next year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2199828

saintswhodi · 10-21-2005, 02:31 PM

Mr. Benson, where are the words "I am 100% committed to New Orleans and the fans who have showed loyalty to this crummy franchise for 40 years now. I will be a part of the rebuilding process in New Orleans." Did I miss those?

However, that is also true of many other New Orleans-based companies that are faced with deciding their future homes.

Translation: If other businesses can leave, why can't I?

[/b]

Euphoria · 10-21-2005, 02:55 PM

Starbucks isn't going to leave New Orleans...

fhotard · 10-21-2005, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by TallySaint

"Tom has made it clear he really doesn't want to enter negotiations until the end of the season, and I respect that," Hardberger said Thursday.

Translation:
"If we start negotiations now, then none of our fans will buy any tickets for the Tiger Stadium games. Better to delay negotiations until after I've gotten a little more money from the fans."

At least that's how I perceive it.

TallySaint · 10-21-2005, 04:27 PM

Three guesses who Tag called after hearing from Blanco.

qball316 · 10-21-2005, 08:42 PM

"There are many factors that will affect the future location of our team. However, that is also true of many other New Orleans-based companies that are faced with deciding their future homes. The next few months should provide all of us with a clearer picture which will help us make those decisions."

One thing Benson fails to realize! Other business aren't being funded by the state's taxpayers' $$$$!!!!! So how can he even begin to compare himself to other businesses? I say Tags makes him sell the team if he doesn't want to stay in LA (which is what i would prefer anyway.)

jnormand · 10-21-2005, 10:13 PM

Translation:

"I'm a friggin D-Bag. That said, so long NO and all the fans. Nothing any of you can do will keep me from moving this team."

What an idiot.

BoudinSandwich · 10-22-2005, 09:43 AM

Did he completely deny that he was planning to move the team? No.
Did he deny that talks (maybe not official, but talks none-the-less) had been going on? No.

He didn't give any guarantee at all that the franchise was going to remain in this state. The only thing he really said was that he would wait until after the season to finalize any deals.

My girlfriend always tells me that "the truth is in your actions, not your words." Well, it appears Mr. Benson is wining and dining with the San Antonio officials, he fired Fieldkow, etc.

You CAN believe everything he says, though. That is because he never denied that he was planning to leave.

10-21-2005, 02:05 PM	#1
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Benson Releases Statement Updated: Oct. 21, 2005, 2:52 PM ET Saints go marching out? Owner denies report ESPN.com news services Will Tom Benson take the Saints out of New Orleans for good? The Saints' owner plans to void his lease agreement for the Louisiana Superdome, the San Antonio Expresss-News reported Friday, citing unusability. The move likely would pave the way for a permanent relocation to San Antonio, the Saints' interim home. In a statement released Friday, Benson said: "I would like to make it clear that no decisions have been made regarding our future plans and none will be made until after the 2005 season is concluded. "There are many factors that will affect the future location of our team. However, that is also true of many other New Orleans-based companies that are faced with deciding their future homes. The next few months should provide all of us with a clearer picture which will help us make those decisions." While San Antonio public officials have been preparing for the possibility of receiving the Saints, Mayor Phil Hardberger told the paper he's following Benson's lead. "Tom has made it clear he really doesn't want to enter negotiations until the end of the season, and I respect that," Hardberger said Thursday. Negotiations between San Antonio officials and the Saints reportedly are planned for early next year. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2199828
	My Guardian Angel wears a hard hat.

10-21-2005, 03:53 PM	#4
fhotard 100th Post Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 263	Re: Benson Releases Statement Originally Posted by TallySaint "Tom has made it clear he really doesn't want to enter negotiations until the end of the season, and I respect that," Hardberger said Thursday. Translation: "If we start negotiations now, then none of our fans will buy any tickets for the Tiger Stadium games. Better to delay negotiations until after I've gotten a little more money from the fans." At least that's how I perceive it.

10-22-2005, 09:43 AM	#8
BoudinSandwich OldiesDJ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scott, LA Posts: 951 Blog Entries: 12	Did he completely deny that he was planning to move the team? No. Did he deny that talks (maybe not official, but talks none-the-less) had been going on? No. He didn't give any guarantee at all that the franchise was going to remain in this state. The only thing he really said was that he would wait until after the season to finalize any deals. My girlfriend always tells me that "the truth is in your actions, not your words." Well, it appears Mr. Benson is wining and dining with the San Antonio officials, he fired Fieldkow, etc. You CAN believe everything he says, though. That is because he never denied that he was planning to leave.
	Season Ticket Holder Since 2005

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10-21-2005, 02:31 PM	#2
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	Mr. Benson, where are the words "I am 100% committed to New Orleans and the fans who have showed loyalty to this crummy franchise for 40 years now. I will be a part of the rebuilding process in New Orleans." Did I miss those? However, that is also true of many other New Orleans-based companies that are faced with deciding their future homes. Translation: If other businesses can leave, why can't I? [/b]

10-21-2005, 02:55 PM	#3
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	Starbucks isn't going to leave New Orleans...

10-21-2005, 04:27 PM	#5
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Three guesses who Tag called after hearing from Blanco.

10-21-2005, 08:42 PM	#6
qball316 100th Post Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New Iberia Posts: 124	"There are many factors that will affect the future location of our team. However, that is also true of many other New Orleans-based companies that are faced with deciding their future homes. The next few months should provide all of us with a clearer picture which will help us make those decisions." One thing Benson fails to realize! Other business aren't being funded by the state's taxpayers' $$$$!!!!! So how can he even begin to compare himself to other businesses? I say Tags makes him sell the team if he doesn't want to stay in LA (which is what i would prefer anyway.)

10-21-2005, 10:13 PM	#7
jnormand 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Free State of Idaho Posts: 5,530	Translation: "I'm a friggin D-Bag. That said, so long NO and all the fans. Nothing any of you can do will keep me from moving this team." What an idiot.