dberce1

http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/...ints2001.shtml

Saints official mum about profit margin
Fielkow: Team has economic value to La.
By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
mmillhollon@theadvocate.com
Capitol news bureau

A top official with the New Orleans Saints refused to talk specifics about the team's profit-margin Tuesday, saying fans must make a "leap of faith" that the franchise merely wants to stay "in the middle of the pack" in revenue in the NFL.
The Saints are asking the state for a new stadium or renovations to the Superdome to make the team more profitable.

Saints Director of Administration Arnold Fielkow said the Saints have a 38-year history of "really lousy football," but the team's economic value to New Orleans and Louisiana justifies state subsidies.

WhoDat

This is something that has interested me for a while. Here comes the next great CONSPIRACY THEORY!

Anybody think that the Saints are using \"creative accounting\" to make the team look poorer than it actually is? Consider - in 2002 the Saints were 8th best in the league in operating income (which minus taxes basically translates to profit). They had been that way for a while - traditionally less than average in franchise total value, but earning top 10 profits. Even then they were crying poor, as Benson has done since about the moment he bought the team.

Flash forward to 2004 and Forbes lists the Saints as 5th WORST in the league in operating profits. So in 2 years the Saints went from 8th to 27th in income? All while setting season ticket and attendance records throughout 2002 and 2003? How is that possible? Now the franchise is asking for a leap of faith from the fans and state about its profit margin? WHAT?!? Something ain\'t right here. Either Benson has gotten away with being a more savvy businessman than the State officials for years and he\'s simply trying to bamboozle his way into more money again, OR he simply wants out and is making it nearly impossible for the State to reach his demands so he can either leave or gets everything he wants and then some. Fishy fishy. Benson\'s starting to sound like a used car salesman... funny, he is.

\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. That’s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans Saints’ organization.\" - Eric Narcisse


\"Being a Saints fan is almost like being addicted to crack,\" he said.[i]\"You know you should stop, but you just can\'t.\"

GeauxHome

dberce1

Problem is that the Saints haven\'t really been \"selling out\" games. They continue to \"donate\" remaining tickets to staff members and other selected individuals so they can keep a ficticious streak alive. I can\'t vouch for last years numbers, but this year\'s profit line has to be much lower....to the tune of 2,500+ tickets donated on average per week. This adds up. The sad thing is, this is the only thing that the organization can brag about at this point in time. Everyone will gets their wish though b/c if this team does not make the playoffs this year (bet on it), then the entire coaching staff is gone including AB.

shadowdrinker_x

Plus..and I posted it before..The Salary overall has nearly doubled from..like..51 million..to 90..I believe..I know it\'s on one of these threads..I just can\'t remember where

dberce1

That\'s alot of money to pay a bunch of underachieving losers.

Post note: Phew, my negative post for the day, now I feel better.