Saints and NFL headed to Court Over 2006 Home?

turbo_dog · 12-17-2005, 12:43 PM

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

lynwood · 12-17-2005, 12:48 PM

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.

saintz08 · 12-17-2005, 12:53 PM

Ye haw

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

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

D_it_up · 12-17-2005, 12:55 PM

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

CheramieIII · 12-17-2005, 12:58 PM

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.

turbo_dog · 12-17-2005, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by D_it_up2

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

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

saintswhodi · 12-17-2005, 01:05 PM

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?

CheramieIII · 12-17-2005, 01:37 PM

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.

LordOfEntropy · 12-17-2005, 01:47 PM

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.

BoudinSandwich · 12-17-2005, 02:04 PM

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

12-17-2005, 12:43 PM	#1
turbo_dog 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,541	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

12-17-2005, 12:48 PM	#2
lynwood 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hockley, Tx Posts: 1,515	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.

12-17-2005, 12:53 PM	#3
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020	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 .......
saintz08 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3,020

12-17-2005, 12:55 PM	#4
D_it_up Faqda Falcons Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ruston, Louisiana Posts: 3,465 Blog Entries: 3	RE: Saints and NFL headed to Court Over 2006 Home? I hope they force him out of ownership....that would be sweet.

12-17-2005, 12:58 PM	#5
CheramieIII Fan Since 1967 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Nomad Posts: 7,457 Blog Entries: 3	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.

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12-17-2005, 12:59 PM	#6
turbo_dog 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,541	Re: RE: Saints and NFL headed to Court Over 2006 Home? Originally Posted by D_it_up2 I hope they force him out of ownership....that would be sweet. Only if someone who wants the team to stay in New Orleans is the new owner.

12-17-2005, 01:05 PM	#7
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	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?

12-17-2005, 01:37 PM	#8
CheramieIII Fan Since 1967 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Nomad Posts: 7,457 Blog Entries: 3	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.

12-17-2005, 01:47 PM	#9
LordOfEntropy 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 1,838	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.

12-17-2005, 02:04 PM	#10
BoudinSandwich OldiesDJ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scott, LA Posts: 951 Blog Entries: 12	I thought he was going to wait until the end of the season to show his true intentions.