pakowitz

Associated Press


NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Saints will meet with Gov. Kathleen Blanco on Friday to discuss a study that recommends renegotiating the team's contract and lowering the state's obligations.

The location of the meeting has not been decided, a spokeswoman for the governor's office said Wednesday.

Faced with a shortfall of almost $12 million of the $15 million due the Saints by July 5, the commission that oversees the Superdome sent the study to both the governor and the team on Tuesday. The study said the deal worked out between former Gov. Mike Foster's administration and the Saints, which gave the Saints $186 million to keep them in Louisiana, was not equitable.

Barrett Sports Group, which did the study, recommended renegotiating the contract with the Saints so that the team shares more of the risks and costs. It also recommends a $150 million renovation of the Superdome rather than spending $450 million for a new stadium with the Saints assuming a portion of the costs, and lengthening the contract.

The effort to re-negotiate the deal may kick off another contentious round of dealing between the Saints and the state. The 2001 negotiations were frequently antagonistic.

Commission chairman Tim Coulon said he was optimistic over this round of meetings.

"I think it could benefit both sides," Coulon said.



http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/8706081.htm

WhoDat

Not good.

Danno

Lets send Loomis, we wouldn\'t land a CB but we\'d probably leave with a Georgia lineman!