Saints and NFL headed to Court Over 2006 Home?
 

Upshaw: 'Don't renew your leases' in San Antonio


New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson and the league could be headed to court because Benson wants the team relocated to San Antonio for the entire 2006 season and maybe beyond, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Saturday.

Benson told his players as much shortly after NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw met with the Saints and told them, "Don't renew your leases" on their San Antonio dwellings & all but confirming what league sources say.

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue is expected to order the team back to their Louisiana headquarters sometime in January. Player sources say Benson told his team that he will not be bullied and wants to stay in San Antonio.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2263598

RE: Saints and NFL headed to Court Over 2006 Home?
 

This is gonna get ugly. Gotta wonder with all the tax incentives from the feds and state, and the possible incentives the NFL will throw in for playing with the saints next season what Bensens motivation could be for wanting to move the team. Next season could be nothing but a free ride for him with all the possible incentives.

I wouldn't say he's being bullied but until he sells or officaially moves the team it is the New Orleans Saints and should have to play there if possible.

RE: Saints and NFL headed to Court Over 2006 Home?
 

Ye haw

There is gonna be a battle at the Alamo .......

Glad I won't miss this one .......

RE: Saints and NFL headed to Court Over 2006 Home?
 

I hope they force him out of ownership....that would be sweet.

RE: Saints and NFL headed to Court Over 2006 Home?
 

Hey D, I agree with ya. Benson has drawn a line in the sand and even if he could move the team without Tags and the NFLPA's approval he will now never get the votes necessary from the other owners to move them. This is great, by being stubborn as usual, it will be his downfall this time.

Re: RE: Saints and NFL headed to Court Over 2006 Home?
 

Only if someone who wants the team to stay in New Orleans is the new owner.

Wow, I never thought Benson would be foolish enough to openly show his hand like this. He has mad emoves that clearly indicate his preference, but like lynnwood said, with all the incentives he is gonna get to stay in New Orleans at least next year and 2007, why would he be dumb enough to still insist on a move?

On the other hand, look at it like this, do you guys think the others owners would be happy or sad that they don't have to come out of thier pockets for the NFL to help support Tom Benson staying in New Orleans?

The Owners would stay as far away from portraying themselves as Bensonlike, so in my opinion that would not allow him to move the team.

Just when I think Benson can no longer amaze me, he does so. How is this possible? I mean, the man is such a complete, utter fool, a bona fide cretin, a certified moron even, and yet he's been a successfull businessman. Astounding. Simply astounding.

I thought he was going to wait until the end of the season to show his true intentions.

I think he has been called out by too many sources and is now getting defensive and making mistakes . He obviuosly has a huge leak in the organization and I would expect him to either fire some staffers or clean the whole group out at season end ......

LAST CHECKED, HALF THE STAFF RESIGNED. CAN WE NOW SEE FINALLY AT LAST WHAT HAS BEEN THE PROBLEM WITH OUR SAINTS? LEADERSHIP STARTS FROM THE TOP DOWN NOT IN THE MIDDLE.

Hey win, Benson did not lose those games on the field, most of the players did and a few were more responsible than most. The coaching staff is also responsible. Mr Benson actions have nothing to do with what happens on the field.

WHO HIRES THE GM? WHO ALLOWS SOMEONE ELSE TO HIRE THE COACH? WHO DECIDES TO GIVE AN EXTENSION OF A CONTRACT TO A WELL PROVEN COACH THAT HAS LOST CONTROL OF HIS TEAM IN ALL 5 YEARS? OUR TEAM IS IN TOTAL DISSARAY AND KATRINA HAS LONG SINCE PAST, AS UPSHAW POINTED OUT TIME AND TIME AGAIN BENSON IN THE END OWNS THE TEAM AND DECIDES.

Winwin

I need you to take the caps off ......

Failure to comply - results in an improper posting of a post and the post is moved to the trash bin ......

Just a little policy and procedure thing .

hmmmm someone will end up dead on this thing .... no lol kddiin WOWOWOW benson vs NFL ROUND 1 ding ding ding ...... :popcorn:

Isn't Benson the head of the NFL financial commitee? Wonder how that plays into all of this. Who are the groups interested in buying the Saints? I've only heard about Bradshaw's deal.

benson isn't selling the team so get that idea out of your head. in all honesty the saints should be playing in san antonio the whole year next year. that doesn't mean that they couldn't move back to new orleans later. we will have a crap team next year again if they are moving all around all the time. the superdome isn't ready. simple as that. my guess says all this crap about 4 games there next year is just that a load of crap. last i heard and i am not sure i am right because i care very little about the situation, was that a lot of the businesses were gone. new orleans won't have great tourism next year. hum. the nfl is doing this because it is the popular choice. may not be the right one but it is the popular one. it could also be the right one. the real truth is i am getting tired of benson because we aren't winning. not because he is or isn't trying to move the team. i am sick of being a loser and am getting close to not watching the team anymore anyway. i have no ties to new orleans so if they move it really doesn't matter to me. if you asked me someone not emotionally tied to the situation i think new orleans should play in san antonio the whole year next year and then move back to new orleans if it is ready and with a guarentee of a new stadium. if not let the man take HIS team where he wants.

25, my brothers are both in the convention services business, and they're telling me that the Convention Center will be ready by April and the vast majority of downtown hotels will be open by March. Many of the fine restaurants are already open or will open within the next three months. Tourism will be off in the 1st half, but be strong in the second. They're conservative about this because they've got expenses due to children and they're not eyes-closed dreamers.

And what is this "moving around" crap? If they're in Kenner, they're in ONE unparalleled facility unless they travel on a Friday for an away game, which is what would happen anyway. Plus, with the improvements to the Dome, it will continue to be the premier indoor stadium in the world.

So, given that, how does that change your view that San Antonio is the place for the Saints? Are you paying attention or are you simply ignoring all the developments? Are you really Tom Benson, since you state that you have no ties to New Orleans?

Let us not forget that Saints games were a big part of the New Orleans economy. If we want to rebuild New Orleans, Saints games are a very nice asset. They work hand in hand. You want tourism and a business boom, play some games in the crescent city.

I can tell you that everytime I went to Baton Rouge to watch a game this year, I went to the mall and a local restraunt or two. For the last game, I went to a little "dollar store" and bought a little cheap plastic bag to wear just incase it rained.

I stimulated the economy in Baton Rouge BECAUSE of the Saints game. It's all a matter as to if they want to help New Orleans recover, or if they just want to USE the city for their own personal gain.

We are talking another year down the road. Toursim is already beginning a rebound in the city. Tulane University is opening in January, alot of schools will be reopening soon, business will return and yes Mardi Gras is still going to happen. The only logical thing for the Saints is to return to their training facility, play four home games in Baton Rouge (a short bus ride for games) and the last four in the Superdome. Why any Saints fan would be against this is beyond me and thats all I have to say about that!

i am not against it i could really care less. if they play in new orleans i would be happier. but do me a favor and save the raw raw bs for the ones that believe it. i just don't. i want the saints to stay in new orleans but if they don't i am sorry and excuse me it doesn't effect me one way or another. i am from jersey. give me a seatk sandwhich and i am happy. so if you want to argue with me because i said they should be in san antonio next year then do it. but the truth is they should be. you would be able to attract more free agents having a steady home. all the other hopes are just that. hey cherm i may think about coming down to mardi gras this year since most of the poor have been removed from the city and i can be safe. christ i remember when i was 18 and i almost had to defend the shoes on my feet. thank god that part has been removed from the city. so in my opinion because the **** has been taking out you are probably right the city can move forward and have even more tourism. it may be a blessing.

i know i know i don't say what i should. sorry i am me and am not here to make anyone feel better about themselves. avoid me if you must if that is what you are looking for. i really don't dislike any of you guys and if you do me i will get by. i am sorry but i am not here to make anyone feel better about them. sorry guys that i am a dick but that is me so get use to it till i am thrown out. it is just how i roll

Roll on my brother, glad to see your opinion is your opinion and as for getting kicked out don't think that will happen unless you turn into Bil.......sorry I almost said his name. Keep the faith......