ssmitty

Warren to buy Saints, build Purpose-Driven Field




NEW ORLEANS — Pastor and author Rick Warren has signed a deal to purchase the New Orleans Saints football franchise for $320 million from current owner Tom Benson, and has pledged to pour his time and energy into helping the city and team rebuild.
"This is the start of the Saints' turnaround," a Warren spokesman said. "America is going to see what a purpose-driven team can accomplish."
The Saints have desperately needed a home and a vision since Hurricane Katrina devastated their season. They were keenly disappointed with the NFL's response to their plight.
But Warren took an immediate interest in the team on visits to the damaged city, and he surprised his church in November when several Saints players joined him onstage. The church prayed for the team, which won its next game. Warren took this as confirmation of his plan to buy the franchise.
"I like the guy," says one player who met Warren at a practice in San Antonio. "I was skeptical about a minister owning a team, but he wants to win, just like us."
The centerpiece of Warren's purchase will be Purpose-Driven Field, to be located just north of New Orleans. Stadium construction will create thousands of jobs for the local economy, and will give Warren's ministry a foothold in the South, where he hopes to gain greater influence. During the week, Purpose-Driven Field will host conferences, outreaches and short-term missions groups stopping over on their way to Central America, or helping to rebuild New Orleans. Warren already refers to the New Orleans location as Saddleback South, friends say.
The Saints will now operate differently than most NFL teams. Players will be required to go through the 40 Days of Purpose program. Alcohol will not be served in the stadium, and every attendee will receive a copy of the Purpose-Driven Life. Halftime shows will offer "edgy, cool" evangelism and worship concerts, says a spokesman. Warren intends to be as visible as Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who often walks the sidelines during games.
"We're marching into New Orleans," Warren told partner churches recently to rousing applause.•
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mikesaintfan

PLEASE no evangelical programming during football
no booze in the stadium?
is this story fake?

jrmllb

Its a book written by a guy, It is not the Gospel, the words of Jesus, or even the Old Testament...It sickens me when people think and talk like it was the greatest book ever written and say that it has such power...If they had hlaf a brain they would not need that stupid book to tell them what they oughta be doin with their life...Jesus does not want "Purpose Driven" disciples he wants God driven disciples...What a joke

DJLengai

Here's the link for fun:

http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/

Now, this is a load of monkey pooh. First, the team would never sell for such a rediculously low price. I've heard that Los Angeles has eluded to bids closer to a billion to buy the franchise and move it. Secondly, taking away alcohol at a major sporting event will cost corporate dollars from the big beer manufacturers and, will cause boycotts by fans. If this guy really believes this stuff he's completely detached from reality. He's an ENTP (Extraverted Intuitive Thinking Perceptive) personality like all the other cult leader hacks. They feed their ego by collecting a following of weak minded people and telling them what to do (and usually do not lead by example).

jergensl

this is a steaming pile of monkey pooh...no booze at a game? it will never happen

MatthewT

I kind of like the idea. Religion needs to be brought back to our country. Why not start with NFL football? Instead of the Chicken Dance, we can all sing "Stand Up for Jesus". Oh, nevermind, I just seen the no beer part. There is no way I could sing "Stand Up for Jesus" at a NFL football game without beer.

LKelley67

do yopu have a link to this Lark News smitty?

sounds like non-reality religous mumbo jumbo...

As noted, the Saints would sell for about 3X what he is quoting.

No beer in a Saints game? He may want to expand his base in the south but obviously has never been here. Le bon ton roulet is more a part of the culture of south LA than perhaps any other area of the country. Even our televangelists covort with hookers.

ssmitty

here it is................http://larknews.com/january_2006/