Halo

League says Saints' future in N.O. hinges on recovery, financial aid

WWLTV.com

The Saints will play at least some games in Louisiana next year but the team’s future beyond that will depend on at least three factors, sources inside the league have told Eyewitness News.

The source says the Saints say they’ll lose between $20 and $40 million this season and next and that they need help in bridging that gap.

The NFL says it will help the Saints financially this year, but the source told Eyewitness News that beyond 2006, the Saints future will hinge on the following:

1-The city’s ability to recover more quickly than expected.

2- A commitment from the state to continue paying the team inducements, if not increase them, or

3- A commitment from the NFL owners to supplement the team’s losses.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney said he hoped that other owners would share his desire to financially aid the team.

Other owners concurred, but none was willing to say how long they could continue to supplement the team’s income.

“We all feel compassion and I don’t want to do anything that would make the situation more difficult,� said Texans Owner Bob McNair.

In other business the league said the Saints schedule for 2006 could be set as early as January in order to facilitate selling tickets.

League sources told Eyewitness News’ Lee Zurik that the schedule would likely include games at Tiger Stadium, the Superdome (if ready) and San Antonio.

The Saints say they can’t play more games at LSU because they lose about $1 million for every game played there.

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