Halo

Take it for what it's worth, an internet rumor, and I know the guy who posted it well- he likes this kind of tense and resque rumor. But it's an interesting theory... I posted the whole thing with a link at the bottom so you guys can completely do-do all over yourselves.

Remember you heard it here first. The rumor is spreading that owner Tom Benson has agreed to sell the Saints to an investment group in L.A. (that’s Los Angeles, not Louisiana). Benson was said to be livid about stories that he used state money, intended to subsidize the team, to subsidize his lavish lifestyle instead. The purchase of particular interest was Benson’s new 122-foot yacht, valued between $12 million and $20 million.

T-P reports that records show that “Benson Football, which three years ago signed a landmark deal with the state that promises the Saints $186.5 million in inducements over 10 years, owns what was ranked as the 190th largest yacht in America when it was completed in 2002. It's unclear who paid for the boat…�

The team’s official attempt at misdirection came from spokesman Greg Bensel, who released a written statement that: “The real issue before us is not what Mr. Benson can afford, but whether the Saints will remain in New Orleans and be economically successful in this small NFL market against teams from much larger cities, such as the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots who are playing in Super Bowl XXXIX.�

“The issue is whether the Saints will continue to have sufficient stadium revenues to remain competitive on the field within the NFL system and in a very tough NFL environment where 20 new or vastly renovated stadiums have been built through public-private partnerships in the last 13 years,� he said.

A few weeks ago, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco said the team should open its financial books to scrutiny as team and state officials try to negotiate a long-term agreement to keep the Saints in the city. The Saints have long refused to do that or discuss the team's profits. Blanco was reported to be “very surprised� to learn that Benson Football, controlling partner of New Orleans' NFL franchise, owns a yacht, according to a spokeswoman.

Did he say remain competitive? Let us know what you think about these developments.


Link

Danno

If I were Benson, dealing with a state government as corrupt as any in USA history, and they called me to the carpet on how I spent MY OWN MONEY, I\'d tell Blanco and the rest of her parasites to shove up their collective . I\'d post an add in the Los Angeles classifieds.
For Sale:
Blanco Close-out!!!
NFL Franchise, Los Angeles Saints.
Contact Tom Benson, New Orleans Louisiana
If you must ask the price, you can\'t afford it.

Thanks Louisiana, you made your own bed by electing that witch, now lay in it.

At least you\'ll have the Hornets! ROFLMFAO!

[Edited on 14/2/2005 by Danno, Future Falcon Fan]

[Edited on 14/2/2005 by Danno]

[Edited on 2/14/2005 by Halo]

DomeFoam

You know this is depressing, but I know you have to post it, but I don\'t completely believe it, but maybe I do.... and I don\'t know....


Depression sets in

ScottyRo

I hope that if Benson sells this team to someone who moves it from La, that the citizens of New orleans will be smart enough not to contribute further to Benson\'s wealth by buying anything from him in the future. Boycott the PooDoo. Boycott his other businesses as well.

Benson, Just take the money and run.

I would prefer this to the state continuing to pay this man a dime, though. I\'ll see this rumored \"investment group\" wishing one day that they had stayed in our fair city!

GumboBC

You\'ve got to take this for what it\'s worth : A RUMOR!!

Anytime I read: \"Remember, you heard it here first\" -- I think... Get ready to read a RUMOR!!

Halo -- You know the dude .... what do you make of it? If I knew him ... I would tell you what I thought. Oh, and don\'t go scaring me with anymore of those \"shock\" posts!! :P

ScottyRo

Billy, I think he\'s just doing us all a favor with this, cuz one day it\'s likely to be an official announcement.

GumboBC

Considering Halo posted \"Get your trash from the net\", I think Halo thinks it\'s just a rumor that has no legs.

Hell, what am I talking about. I don\'t know what Halo thinks.

I can never figure Halo out. The only thing I know about Halo is ..... when he sends you a private E-mail, he means business...LMAO!

Halo

Benson sold his car dealerships and businesses many many years ago. All he owns and runs are the Saints.

LKelley67

from a msg board the writer is on-

RE: Saints moving?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honestly duncan, if all the saints fans are like you then they should just move the whole f~in city down to antartica.


[Edited on 14/2/2005 by JOESAM2002]

Saint_LB

If you had any doubts about AB\'s ego, then you have to do this if you haven\'t already:

1) Click on link from Halo\'s original post

2) Click on Tales From the Sideline...highlighted in purple

3) Drag the page down to bottom, look to left, click on AB\'s
book...Aaron Brooks, highlighted in brown

4) Under the book, with AB\'s picture on it, click on search
inside this book

5) Drag the page down, click on next page on right

6) Read and enjoy