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Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
Nick Deriso nderiso@thenewsstar.com May 24, 2004 THEIR FANS spend the off-season discussing negotiations, incentives, contract details and stalemated talks with the star player, who they hope will play. OUR fans spend the off-season discussing negotiations, incentives, contract details and stalemated talks with the team, who they hope will stay. And so it goes. I never thought former Gov. Mike Foster knew all that much about business. But if his replacement blows this deal with the New Orleans Saints, I'll be convinced she knows nothing about it at all. But, wait. This is football, right? Leather helmets and muddy shoes - not long-term liquidity and market-share macros. Actually, it's both. An economic impact study by Timothy Ryan of the University of New Orleans shows that the Saints will generate $482.26 million in total economic impact for the state in 2004 - in addition to $22.84 million in state taxes. That's a lot of Dome Foam. In return the state is obligated to pay $15 million to the team - part of an incentive program agreed to by the state in 2002 to keep the Saints in New Orleans. Louisiana shouldn't make good on that agreement in the hopes of hanging a championship banner in the Superdome. It should do so because it makes good sense. Ryan's study was actually larger in scope. In seeking to define the economic impact of the Saints from 2002 through 2026, he put the team's 25-year contribution to state coffers at a stunning $12.2 billion dollars. Keep in mind that the study did not include the additional benefits of hosting future Super Bowls - something New Orleans could not do, were it to lose the Saints. * THEIR fans spend the off-season searching for new jerseys with the name of their top draft pick. OUR fans spend the off-season searching from here to New Jersey for cities that might be tempted to poach the team. A common point of interest is Los Angeles, the nation's second largest media market - but one without a pro football team. "There have been two NFL teams there - and both left. That speaks volumes. There were a lot of empty seats," said Marc Taylor, a Saints fan from Farmerville who laments that he has to "worry every few years that events out of the fans' control could result in us losing our team. There are no more loyal and supportive fans anywhere than in the New Orleans area. Some are even six hours north of there." * THEIR fans spend the off-season reviewing last year's game tapes - leaving no play unexamined, no pickoff uncelebrated. OUR fans spend the off-season reviewing last year's agreement with the state, deciding how long this silly gamesmanship can play out before the team could legally pick up and leave. The answer is: Sept. 18. That's the end of a 75-day grace period which follows the July 5 payment deadline. The state has said it can't meet the incentive plan because the money was supposed to come from tourism, which has tailed off in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks. The same thing happened last year. Think tourism is off in New Orleans now? Eliminate 10 Sunday afternoons a year where 70,000 people are in town for a game. If Benson decides not to let the state out of its obligation - and that's certainly his right - Louisiana ought to pay up. West Monroe state Rep. Mike Walsworth said it best to me earlier this week: "A deal is a deal." We should worry less about what it might cost to keep a high-profile corporation like the Saints than how expensive mediocrity really is. Louisiana could lose the team then the visitors and prestige that it brings - a public humiliation, to be sure - but also a stable tax base from the entire payroll of the Saints, its administration and employees. That exodus will hurt people who never saw the inside of a luxury box - unless it was to empty the ashtray. In turn, these out-of-work people from restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, hotels and cab companies won't be finding new jobs. A state that continually deals in bad faith with a major business isn't likely to be attracting any new ones. * THEIR fans spend the off-season with barely contained enthusiasm for the coming training camps - which means the regular season is just around the corner. OUR fans spend the off-season with barely contained dread for the coming legislative session - which means another round of showboating from people who claim There Are More Important Things To Spend Our Money On Than Football - even while introducing bills to ban the low-riding pant. How is it possible for the state of Louisiana to find itself unable to meet the budget - even while revenue surges because of increased gas prices and the Stelly Plan? One estimate had spiking oil costs sending an additional $108-$160 million into the general fund. Nonsense like that is why I take I-55 to get down to New Orleans from here. Why risk getting lost in the rat-maze inconsistency of Baton Rouge? * THEIR fans spend the off-season deciding if the team can keep its massive free agent. OUR fans spend the off-season mass e-mailing elected officials in an attempt to convince the Good Representative from Nowhereville to keep the team. There is $15 million dollars to be found in this waste-bloated budget to keep the Saints in Louisiana. For instance, why don't we dip into the legislative slush funds - which account for about $20 million in the state's $17 billion budget? Would the answer be different if the business in question was called Avondale or Entergy instead? Mine wouldn't be. |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
I don\'t live in the state of Louisiana, never have in fact.
But since 2000 I have attended a Saitns game at the Dome. I own four jerseys right now. Bobby Hebert\' #3, Deuce\'s #22 (H&A), and Ricky Jackson\'s #57. My computer room at home is littered with Saints propaganda. My brother and best friend became Saints fans b/c I brought them to the city of New Orleans and they had a blast on a game weekend. There is a lot riding on this deal for me, a non LA fan. Yes, it\'s never easy when you love the Black and Gold. But it\'s the hard that makes it worth it. I will always be a fan, and if that means I need to send money... I will. I have Tom Benson\'s address, but I can\'t cover 15 million. And while you caash that check MR. B I lived in Los Angeles for 24 years. Football won\'t work there. But it works in NO, I \'ve seen it. |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
I agree. I also don`t live in NO but was born and bred a Saints fan. I have 12 Saints Jerseys (including Mannings throwback) and will always support the team. I travel to see them play and always enjoy the games. I hope that we do well this year because even though it`s been said before I really do think that is our year. I hope so and can`t wait to get the year started. Geaux Saints!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
I was born and raised in New Orleans, and though I don\'t live there now, I know exactly what is going on in the city and state. This posturing by the State is absolutely ridiculous. The Foster agreement kep the Saints in NO for 10 years right? So if this guy from UNO is even close in his estimates, that\'s about four or five BILLION dollars worth of revenue that the Saints will generate.
It can be hard to get a feel for all this, especially when you\'re wondering why the State has to pay MILLIONS of dollars to an already wealthy man/franchise. Well put it another way. If I said you could pay me $50 over the next ten years and in return I would not only pay you $3,000, but also my presence might attract other people and events that could make you that kind of money (or maybe just throw you down with an extra few hundred dollars for a weeks worth of work) - would you agree? Find another investment that is basically guaranteed to pay a 6000% return over 25 years. The fact that the State would even consider allowing someone to suggest that there is a possibility that there might be a short-fall in the payment reminds me why I left in the first place. |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
This may be a little ofr topic cause most of you guys are talking about the Money Louisiana owes. but...
It\'s not easy being any teams fan. No matter what the team is it won\'t reach the fan\'s expectations. I know it may be hard for us to understand but New England fans also think its rough. They won the Super Bowl last year, they expect the same thing this year with greater demand. They simply won\'t stop rooting for their team simply cause they won the Super Bowl. How many of you guys think the season will be a failure if LSU doesn\'t win the championship next year :question: I\'m expecting a Championship I mean most of us remain remained loyal fans through Ditka years, Now that the team is showing mediocracy it SHOULD be bliss. [Edited on 25/5/2004 by Chuck] [Edited on 25/5/2004 by Chuck] |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
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Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
to the guy from LA, please forward your response to Benson personally. Everyone seems to think b/c of the Lakers/hollywood stuff out in Cali, that it\'s gonna make it football wise. They don\'t realize it\'s failed 2wice before.
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Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
to the guy from LA, please forward your response to Benson personally. Everyone seems to think b/c of the Lakers/hollywood stuff out in Cali, that it\'s gonna make it football wise. They don\'t realize it\'s failed 2wice before.
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Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
The simple thought of the Saints in Los Angeles to me is hilarious .
Anaheim would be the better venue for the Saints . Los Angeles hates losing teams , it would be the PR blunder of the century to put a team with a losing history in Los Angeles and then attempt to sell season tickets ...... The viable out option to me is always the Mississippi option , Benson has spent the money already on the gulf coast south marketing for the Saints and he could torment Louisianna state officials by being only a stones throw away ..... |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
As long as they dont go to canada...Canada sucks.
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Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
The Mississippi option is a viable on 08, but not very probable to me. THere\'s been lots of talk about it and I fully agree that it is a possibility. That move wouldn\'t hurt me too much.
Of course it will never happen. Benson isn\'t going to be the first owner ever to move a team out of a major metropolitan area to a basically \"rural\" area. You think NO is a small market, Mississippi is NO market. :) I mean, other than the casinos and some shipping (far less than the port of NO), name a business in Mississippi. What would they be? The Jackson Saints? The Gulfport Saints? I doubt it. That won\'t happen. |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
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We have many big companies here on the coast. MGM, Triton, Halter Marine, Nothrup Grummen. Then we have Keesler Air Force Base, Stennis Space Center(NASA) Then up the road we have the new Nissan Factory. We have more foutune 500- companies in Mississippi than what Louisiana has. And the new stadium would only be about 30 minutes from New Orleans. Take a trip down here, WhoDat. I\'ll be glad to show you around.... :D |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
Billy, I was in Long Beach less than a month ago. I know that area very very well. You have ZERO fortune 500 companies BASED on the Gulf Coast. New Orleans has one left. Louisiana has just as many Fortune 500s REPRESENTED in the state... in fact, I\'m pretty sure it has more.
C\'mon Billy, I love the gulf coast. If the Saints are going to move, that\'s where I would want it to be. However, you\'re fooling yourself if you think it\'s a market worthy of national attention right now. Orleans Parish (NO proper) has about 250,000 MORE people in it alone than that half million number you mention that is spread from Bay St. Louis to Biloxi. There are close to 2.5 million people within an hour or so of the Super Dome. Are there that many in near Gulfport? ;) Look Billy, I\'m not trying to knock your home state, but let\'s be real. Depending on how you measure it, New Orleans is either the first or second busiest port in the COUNTRY. It is also ALWAYS in the top three tourist destinations in the COUNTRY. Sure, southern MS is on the up and up, but economically speaking it\'s going to be a while before you guys catch NO, and that\'s assuming the NO economy continues to decline. |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
You might want to rethink your thoughts on there being ZERO fortune 500 companies here on the coast, WhoDat. Here\'s a link to Northrop Grumman Corporation.
http://www.northgrum.com/ Then there is MGM\'s Beau Rivage. New Orleans Casino cannot even come close to matching this one. http://www.beaurivage.com/ Another foutune 500 copany here is General Dynamics. http://www.generaldynamics.com/ No we can\'t compete on a lot of levels with New Orleans. However, I think they would receive more corporate support here than in New Orleans. These casions would be all over it. And we got 10 times the casions here than what New Orleans has got. [Edited on 27/5/2004 by GumboBC] |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
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Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
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I do not think Benson would go for the Los Angeles market with all the past failure in it , he might go for a market he could get what he wants in and expand it . Mississippi keeps him in the region and allows him to feed off the existing fan base . He has done a lot of advertising in the region already and has a superstar from the state to draw in some locals . My prediction is : If Blanco gives Benson the cold shoulder and Mississippi offers Benson a stadium , Benson Boogies on over to Mississippi . |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
No one denies that Canada sucks....I like it here.
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Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
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I\'ll try to explain this further so that you understand. Let\'s use your Nissan plant as an example. Nissan is a big corporation. They have a plant in MS. They may have a big 10 story office building there too full of Nissan employees. Let\'s assume that they do. This means that they are REPRESENTED in the state, not HEADQUARTERED there. Or we can use your example from http://www.northgrum.com/who_we_are/sector_main.html Corporate Offices: Northrop Grumman Corporation Corporate Headquarters 1840 Century Park East Los Angeles, California 90067-2199 (310) 553-6262 Northrop\'s Ship Sector is Based in MS. 45% of the countries gasoline crosses the Huey P Long bridge in NO. So what? You see Billy - Entergy is HEADQUARTERED in NO. So like I said. NO 1, MS 0. [Edited on 28/5/2004 by WhoDat] |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
WhoDat --
OK, I\'ll give you that. But, does a fortune 500 company have to be BASED somewhere to support the Saints?? I don\'t see that having a lot to do with it. I see many of those companies I listed supporting our hockey team here. There\'s little doubt in my mind that IF the Saints were to move here that those companies would support them. I can promise you that the casinos would be the first ones to step up to the plate with support. The Casinos here are marketing this place big time and if there were 70,000 people coming to the coast to see the Saints it would definantly grab their attention. [Edited on 28/5/2004 by GumboBC] |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
Not really the point Billy. The point is the size of the economy and the number of businesses able and willing to support the team. The Fortune 500 test is only really a litmus test for the size of the economy. For example, NO has one FF company based there and I think less than 10 with offices still in the city (although that number may be higher if the oil co\'s still have offices there).
Chicago, on the other hand, has 480+ of the 500 with offices in the city. Point? The economy here is MUCH MUCH larger. There are more BILLIONAIRES in Chicago than there are MILLIONAIRES in New Orleans... or at least that stat was true 7 years ago. That may have changed by now, but you get the point. The economy here can support a football team, two baseball teams, a hockey team, a basketball team, 75 college and university programs (there\'s 40 in the downtown area alone), a soccer team, and still not even be closed to being burdened. NO can barely support a football team, basketball team, and a triple A baseball team. Southern MS cannot support any professional franchise right now... well, maybe Soccer. That\'s the point. Let me put it to you another way: There are almost as many people in Chicago proper than there are in the STATE of MS. There are more in the metropolitan area than in LA and MS COMBINED. NO has more people in Orleans Parish than there are along the entire coast of MS. Billy, there is a reason that there are no teams outside of metropolitan areas. Today, that\'s probably a minimum of a million to 1.5 million people in one place. |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
I agree with you on that WhoDat. I think it would be a risk to move the team over here. But, I THINK it\'s close enough to New Orleans that most of the fans would make the trip. It\'s really not far at all. And I think you would get a lot more Mississippi fans to attend the games.
If Missisippi is willing to build the Saints a new stadium, I would not rule out Benson moving the team here. I aslo think they would receive corperate support here. Now, if I\'m Benson, I keep the team in NO. Overall, I don\'t see them moving here. I see them staying in New Orleans and I think this whole thing has been over blown |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
Overblown? Maybe - but talk of moving every two to three years isn\'t exactly healthy. Further, the state of MS would be insane to build the Saints a stadium.
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Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
who cares about fortune 500 companies... on the subject of the saints moving to LA, it wont work, cities dont want teams from other cities, they want new teams, one that they can call their own, for another town to accept a team, that team would have to be a winner, something we have not done around here lately for example, the N.O. Hornets. i havent been to a hornets game but watching on TV there were plenty of seats available, and even tho they are based in N.O. now. i really dont like the hornets, and i might never really like them just b/c of the fact that they started in charlotte. and not from N.O.
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Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
I dunno - Tennessee accepted the Oilers with open arms. Baltimore sure likes those Browns turned Ravens. St. Louis isn\'t too upset with the Rams. Oakland liked getting the Raiders back. Teams only move when they\'re losers, and cities and fan bases know that. C\'mon, would you rather have the Bengals or Chargers, or no team at all? You change the name, change the logo, and it\'s the same thing as an expansion team... except if you\'re lucky, you already have a star or two for merchandising.
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Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
Saints won\'t go marching into Mississippi
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By John Clayton ESPN.com Don\'t go overboard in thinking the New Orleans Saints are moving to Mississippi. But also don\'t underestimate the chances of an eventual Saints move. Tuesday\'s breakdown of negotiations is typical in franchise stadium talks with government. Saints owner Tom Benson, who clearly doesn\'t want to move the team, was ready to cut a provisional deal that would keep the team in New Orleans most of this decade. The state and the area then altered a few of the provisions that caused Benson to say no and say that he had two options -- talk to Mississippi or sell the team, the least likely option. Saints owner Tom Benson may do his \"Benson Boogie\" elsewhere. Once cooler heads return, both sides will talk at some point. The growing danger is thoughts by the state that they are dealing from a position of strength. Louisiana is not. The growing question in Louisiana -- even though the Superdome is one of better sports facilities -- is this: Are there enough companies and well-heeled fans to support the franchise years from now? It\'s a legitimate concern. The New Orleans area doesn\'t have enough big companies to buy the luxury boxes, club seating and high-priced tickets that will allow the Saints to compete. With ticket prices heading into the $60 and $70 levels, it\'s a stretch for the fans to keep buying tickets. After all, the Saints have sold slightly more than 40,000 season tickets following what was arguably their best season. As of a month ago, not all the suites were sold and the stadium is hosting a Super Bowl this year. The only way for Benson to make up the difference is to get ticket guarantees to assure team revenues in the middle of league. Colts owner Jim Irsay did a provisional deal a few years ago knowing that by 2005 or so the issue would have to be revisited about a new stadium. Benson\'s heart is keeping the Saints in New Orleans, but he needs the help of the state to do that. He hasn\'t even canvassed the business community enough for support yet, but that will be necessary. Mississippi may not be an option the league would support. Owners are comfortable with a franchise in New Orleans, but the league at some point would allow a struggling team to move to Los Angeles. The Saints could be a candidate, but that is well down the road. So don\'t expect the Saints to be marching anywhere -- yet. It\'s still early in the process. However, Louisiana needs to work out a deal with Benson while he is thinking more of the area than of the future value of the franchise. http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/clayt...n/1219462.html |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
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Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
I don\'t see them ever going anywheres... the NFL likes having a francise there for one. I do look for a new owner however in the next few years.
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Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
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Rita LeBlanc Finance & Business Executive Rita LeBlanc begins her third full-time season with the Saints in a new role as Finance & Business Executive. In addition to acting as an advisor to the Saints Board of Directors, LeBlanc will continue representing the Club at NFL Ownership meetings as well as in the greater New Orleans community. LeBlanc also acts as a liaison for varying special events, league-level relations and business development projects. In this role she has spearheaded efforts toward stadium research, Club fiscal efficiencies and international soccer exhibition youth programs. LeBlanc also planned the Ownership social gala during Super Bowl XXXVI, attended by VIPs including former President George H. W. Bush, among other programs and activities. LeBlanc has pursued a career in sports entertainment since 1998 with NFL internship programs at the Saints, the NFL headquarters in New York, the NFL Properties Publishing group in Los Angeles and NFL Films in Mount Laurel, N.J. She returned to the Saints full-time in 2001 and since has worked in Football Operations, assisted the offensive coaching staff with game preparation, coordinated marketing efforts and business office projects. She has also contributed during stints with the team in the public relations, video and ticket office departments. With the addition of the New Orleans VooDoo to the Saints\' sports portfolio, LeBlanc has taken a key position as the Director of Marketing and Special Events. She has energized the brand building of the new franchise both locally and nationally through ongoing partnerships and promotions. LeBlanc will take a lead role in creating the high intensity AFL gameday experience. LeBlanc is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor\'s in AgriBusiness and a minor in International Business. She represented the Saints in June of 2003 during the first NFL Managers Program at the Stanford University Executive Education Graduate School of Business. Her other job : Rita LeBlanc Director of Marketing & Special Events Rita LeBlanc is the Director of Marketing and Special Events for the New Orleans VooDoo. The creation of a new Arena Football team in New Orleans has been several years in the making. LeBlanc has been instrumental in creating the look and feel of the brand, from early logo discussions to the implementation of the team to date. Coordinating staff members, LeBlanc has built an infrastructure of key personnel to ensure a winning product both on and off the football field. In establishing the new team, LeBlanc has coordinated groundbreaking media contracts essential to the promotion of the AFL and New Orleans VooDoo. This includes the pivotal implementation of a highly interactive website with a design geared toward serving technically savvy fans through collaborative fan responsive elements. In building a gameday experience, LeBlanc has selected top entertainers, spectacular visual effects and dynamic promotions to make every fan feel a part of this action-packed game. LeBlanc has spearheaded events and promotions to build awareness and introduce fans to the AFL mission of devotion to a premium experience for every fan. She has taken this clear vision and applied it to the New Orleans franchise. Through collaborative team efforts with local groups and leading business entities, LeBlanc has brought the city of New Orleans a strong civic addition to showcase the unique culture and football enthusiasm of the region on a national platform. Rita LeBlanc a.k.a. Benson\'s grand daughter .... ;) |
Why can't it ever be easy to be a Saints fan?
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The deal in Mississippi would include a new stadium, training facility and a sports-themed amusement park, with parking and tailgating areas, according to Jack Capella, a lawyer for the state agency that runs the Superdome. The complex would be just off Interstate 10. Five casinos would guarantee suite sales under the deal the Saints outlined, Capella said. If Blanco defaults on the current deal , Benson could get alot more in Mississippi . [Edited on 29/5/2004 by saintz08] |
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I have little doubt that Mississippi would build a new stadium if the Saints agreed to come here. The casions bring billions of $$ here to the coast. And, they WOULD step up to the plate. Will it happen. Unlikely. But, the point is, it is a viable option for Benson. |
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