saintz08

Recently signed amendment could keep Saints from moving in '06



An amendment to the New Orleans Saints contract with the state could prevent the team from moving for the 2006 season, according to state officials.


Tom Benson speaks prior to the start of the NFL Owners' meetings in Washington, D.C.

Benson signed the agreement in November. It pushed back the date that the team could get out of its current contract. In addition, the agreement states that in the case that the Louisiana Superdome isn’t ready for play at the start of the 2006 season, the team would play its games at sites determined by the NFL. Recently, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue stated his hopes that some, if not all, of the games in 2006 would be played in Louisiana.

Last week, NFLPA Director Gene Upshaw told Saints players that efforts were being made to do just that.

Benson countered Upshaw’s appearance by telling players and other employees that they should not terminate the leases on their San Antonio apartments, because he intends for the club to play there in 2006.

“The NFL provided assurances that games would be played in Louisiana in 2006,� said Larry Roedel, an attorney representing the state and Superdome’s interests.

Sports law professor Gary Roberts also believes that it would be hard for Mr. Benson to prevail in court should he pursue legal action against the NFL in an effort to move his team.

Roberts sat in a courtroom 25 years ago and saw Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis beat the league, but he said Benson will have more challenges than Davis.

“Al Davis is a very crafty fellow, who is a brilliant witness,� said Roberts. “If you can imagine Tom Benson on the witness stand for five days - that should tell you something.�

Roberts said the legal merits of Benson’s case are also weak and that the best chance he would have is to file suit and have it tried outside of New Orleans.

Eyewitness News learned that on October 31, the corporation that owns the Saints – Benson Football, LLC., was taken off the registry in Louisiana and registered as a business in Texas.

State officials said that shouldn’t play into the Saints’ chances of moving. They said the believe Benson still wants to keep the team here and they base that on the signing of the amendment in November.

“I don't read into any of the speculation,� said Tim Coulon of the LSED. “We are going to deal with the facts as we know them. We have this amended contract.�

The eight-man advisory board comprised of NFL owners and charged with advising the NFL on the Saints’ situation, is scheduled to have a conference call this week.

They are scheduled to advise the league on where the team should play its games next year by early January.

http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/W....26ec127d.html

\"Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn\'t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed.\" - George S. Patton
On another note, I\'ll take a bite of that crow 08. - Saintfan
Brooks is a moron!! - Halo

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CheramieIII

My thoughts exactly Halo!