Halo

Many news agencies are reporting that NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Saints owner Tom Benson have entered into an agreement for the Saints' return to Louisiana for the 2006 season.Tagliabue has long been in the corner of Louisiana and New Orleans, which has been proven in large part today.The agreement likely ends the potential for Saints games in San Antonio for the foreseeable future. The team will practice at its Metairie facility and play in Baton Rouge's Tiger Stadium and the Superdome in New Orleans.It also ends the likelihood of a law suit by Benson against the NFL in coming months. (See below for more.)Players and staff will be told of the news by Tagliabue himself, who is visiting with them in San Antonio today.To allay Benson's financial concerns for returning to New Orleans, the NFL may help the team through subsidies generated by revenue from visiting teams' shares of gate receipts. Assistance also may be provided for attracting free agents.

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