Chief: Saints Location NFL Issue

TallySaint · 10-21-2005, 06:17 AM

Chief: Saints' location NFL issue

By SHELDON MICKLES
Advocate sportswriter

In the wake of news that San Antonio officials will try to get the New Orleans Saints to relocate to Texas next season, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue told Gov. Kathleen Blanco on Wednesday that the league and its members will make decisions about where the Saints will play in 2006 -- and beyond.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed Thursday that Blanco phoned Tagliabue, who told the governor he's formed a New Orleans Advisory Committee -- made up of eight owners -- to assist him and Saints owner Tom Benson in making decisions about the franchise's future.

Aiello, the NFL's vice president of public relations, said the committee will discuss the Saints' situation in mid-November and mid-December, likely by conference call, and tentatively Jan. 4 at the league offices in New York City.

"The commissioner discussed the NFL's decision-making timeline for the Saints playing schedule for 2006 -- including the possibility of playing the games at LSU," Aiello said. "The league is looking to make that decision shortly after the season ends, and possibly sooner, depending on developments."

Team owners appointed to the committee are Pat Bowlen (Denver), Lamar Hunt (Kansas City), Robert Kraft (New England), Jeff Lurie (Philadelphia), Mike McCaskey (Chicago), Jerry Richardson (Carolina), Dan Rooney (Pittsburgh), and Wayne Weaver (Jacksonville).

Blanco reached Tagliabue at his New York office just two days after San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger said he would actively seek the relocation of the Saints to his city. Hardberger told the San Antonio Express-News that Benson agreed to discuss the possibility, likely after this season.

Hardberger said Benson understood "we will sit down and talk."

"That is his desire as well," he said. "I'm pretty comfortable in saying he wants to be here."

Story continues...
http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/...aints001.shtml

8)

10-21-2005, 06:17 AM	#1
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Chief: Saints Location NFL Issue Chief: Saints' location NFL issue By SHELDON MICKLES Advocate sportswriter In the wake of news that San Antonio officials will try to get the New Orleans Saints to relocate to Texas next season, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue told Gov. Kathleen Blanco on Wednesday that the league and its members will make decisions about where the Saints will play in 2006 -- and beyond. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed Thursday that Blanco phoned Tagliabue, who told the governor he's formed a New Orleans Advisory Committee -- made up of eight owners -- to assist him and Saints owner Tom Benson in making decisions about the franchise's future. Aiello, the NFL's vice president of public relations, said the committee will discuss the Saints' situation in mid-November and mid-December, likely by conference call, and tentatively Jan. 4 at the league offices in New York City. "The commissioner discussed the NFL's decision-making timeline for the Saints playing schedule for 2006 -- including the possibility of playing the games at LSU," Aiello said. "The league is looking to make that decision shortly after the season ends, and possibly sooner, depending on developments." Team owners appointed to the committee are Pat Bowlen (Denver), Lamar Hunt (Kansas City), Robert Kraft (New England), Jeff Lurie (Philadelphia), Mike McCaskey (Chicago), Jerry Richardson (Carolina), Dan Rooney (Pittsburgh), and Wayne Weaver (Jacksonville). Blanco reached Tagliabue at his New York office just two days after San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger said he would actively seek the relocation of the Saints to his city. Hardberger told the San Antonio Express-News that Benson agreed to discuss the possibility, likely after this season. Hardberger said Benson understood "we will sit down and talk." "That is his desire as well," he said. "I'm pretty comfortable in saying he wants to be here." Story continues... http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/...aints001.shtml 8)
	My Guardian Angel wears a hard hat.