tiggerpolice

City officials upset to be off NFL's itinerary

Web Posted: 12/28/2005 12:00 AM CST
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer

City Councilman Richard Perez said Tuesday that he was "taken aback" by word that NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue would not meet with city officials when he visits this week with the owner and players of the New Orleans Saints.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Tagliabue is expected to fly to San Antonio either Thursday or Friday.

There are no plans to make Tagliabue available to the media, said Aiello, who said the commissioner would meet only with the Saints.

Mayor Phil Hardberger had said he hoped Tagliabue would include a meeting with city leaders as part of his itinerary.

"I'd like to meet him, talk to him and show him the new San Antonio," Hardberger said shortly before Saturday's kickoff of the Saints' third and final game at the Alamodome this season.

Hardberger wasn't available for comment Tuesday, but Perez said he was surprised Tagliabue wouldn't meet with city officials after the hospitality the city has shown the Saints.

The Saints moved operations to San Antonio after Hurricane Katrina damaged the Louisiana Superdome and left New Orleans uninhabitable. Saints owner Tom Benson is said to want to keep the team in San Antonio permanently because of the economic conditions in post-Katrina New Orleans.

"We really have embraced the Saints and done everything we can to show the commissioner and the NFL as a whole we are a city that can sustain a team," Perez said.

Perez has worked closely with Hardberger to drum up support for the Saints among fans and business leaders.

"If the NFL doesn't come here, it won't be because San Antonio hasn't rolled out the red carpet and tried everything it can to make it happen," Perez said. "If they want to come, fantastic. If they don't, it's really their loss."

"We have our assets, and those assets will be here whether Tagliabue visits with us or not," Perez said.

Another influential politician took the decision in stride, saying he is used to being ignored by the NFL.

"Going back now from 12 years ago, I don't see a difference in their attitude," County Judge Nelson Wolff said, recalling how San Antonio failed to make the short list for NFL expansion in the early 1990s when he was mayor.

"They are adamant that this is a small market, and the truth is we are a small market," Wolff said. "In addition to breaking that barrier, you have to figure out how to build a new stadium."

In response to a question about San Antonio's interest in keeping the Saints, Tagliabue told the New Orleans Times-Picayune in September that the NFL wasn't going to expand to small markets. The comment disappointed many San Antonians, including Hardberger, who was quick to point out the city's booming corporate base.

But Tagliabue's characterization is accurate, considering San Antonio's television market ranks 37th in the nation.

"Regardless of what anyone says, we are a small market," Wolff said. "But we should be ready in the next five years or so for another major league franchise."

The Saints' opponents for 2006 have been finalized.

The home schedule will include games against Tampa Bay, Carolina, Atlanta, Washington, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Baltimore and Cincinnati.

The Saints' road opponents are Tampa Bay, Carolina, Atlanta, the New York Giants, Dallas, Green Bay, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

The Saints will play the Cowboys and Giants on the road because they played those teams at home in 2003.

Tagliabue is expected to announce in January where the Saints will play their home games next season.


http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/met....127a1cdc.html

saintswhodi

Just give it up San Antonio. Stop whining. Please let the Saints just go back to New Orleans, and in 5 years, if you have grown in media market size,make the case for a team. A new stadium, practice facility, etc. is also needed. Stop crying, and move on. Our boys are going home.

Halo

Yes there do be much crying here. They are making a case, but it sounds more like the guy who is trying to convince everyone he's not gay.

pakowitz

quit talkin about urself :P for the last time we already know ur gay!!

saintz08

Unusual reference to a point ......

Something you wanna tell us all ???

jrmllb

We should not be playing the Giants in NY, that is total BS, we should have 10 home games next year minimum!!!

If SA had rolled out a red crpet our guys would not have had to train in a parking lot or train in a tent in a parking lot!!

They should move the GB game and NY game to home games and give us 10 home games

johnnyhomey

...or kicked the team out of the Alamodome for women's volleyball!

BlackandBlue

Yes, Halo, do tell. :P

Halo

DIVA SAVE ME

NFLDiva

Remember Halo, Don't ask...Don't tell