At least someone has some sense...

JOESAM2002 · 12-11-2004, 11:37 AM

State Senator: Losing the Saints would cost Louisiana dearly
BY AILEEN RULI

SLIDELL SENTRY-NEWS

SLIDELL -- If the New Orleans Saints leave Louisiana, there is no chance any other professional team will come to the state, Sen. Tom Schedler (R-Sli.) said Wednesday.
During a speech to the Greater Slidell Area Chamber of Commerce, Schedler told the group that he is as frustrated with the football team's performance, as any other fan, but that should have no bearing on whether the team stays or goes.

He has always opposed a new stadium, he said, as it would not be the best decision economically. A new stadium had been discussed earlier in negotiations, but now it seems renovating the Superdome is a more likely scenario.

Schedler said that other than building a new stadium, he is in favor of doing what it takes to keep the Saints in Louisiana.

"This vote is not about frustration with the them on the field," he said. "It must be based on sound business decisions and economics, not about what they're doing on the field."

According to some economists, the Saints bring the state an estimated $400 million. Schedler has his own method for deciding if that amount is worth keeping the Saints around.

"I always cut the figure in half to keep everybody honest and think: does it still make us money?" Schedler said. "Even if it only produces $10 million in net revenue, where else are we going to get that extra $10 million?"

He said if the state loses the Saints, the Hornets basketball team will be sure to follow, and no other professional team will come to Louisiana again. Having no professional sports team will mean the state will lose out on a national level.

"The fact that you have an NBA or an NFL team is an asset," he said. "We will never get any other professional team again."

Schedler said he doesn't know what sort of negotiations team owner Tom Benson is thinking of but suggests "everybody have cooler heads about this."

12-11-2004, 11:37 AM	#1
JOESAM2002 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CRYSTAL BEACH TEXAS Posts: 4,100	At least someone has some sense... State Senator: Losing the Saints would cost Louisiana dearly BY AILEEN RULI SLIDELL SENTRY-NEWS SLIDELL -- If the New Orleans Saints leave Louisiana, there is no chance any other professional team will come to the state, Sen. Tom Schedler (R-Sli.) said Wednesday. During a speech to the Greater Slidell Area Chamber of Commerce, Schedler told the group that he is as frustrated with the football team's performance, as any other fan, but that should have no bearing on whether the team stays or goes. He has always opposed a new stadium, he said, as it would not be the best decision economically. A new stadium had been discussed earlier in negotiations, but now it seems renovating the Superdome is a more likely scenario. Schedler said that other than building a new stadium, he is in favor of doing what it takes to keep the Saints in Louisiana. "This vote is not about frustration with the them on the field," he said. "It must be based on sound business decisions and economics, not about what they're doing on the field." According to some economists, the Saints bring the state an estimated $400 million. Schedler has his own method for deciding if that amount is worth keeping the Saints around. "I always cut the figure in half to keep everybody honest and think: does it still make us money?" Schedler said. "Even if it only produces $10 million in net revenue, where else are we going to get that extra $10 million?" He said if the state loses the Saints, the Hornets basketball team will be sure to follow, and no other professional team will come to Louisiana again. Having no professional sports team will mean the state will lose out on a national level. "The fact that you have an NBA or an NFL team is an asset," he said. "We will never get any other professional team again." Schedler said he doesn't know what sort of negotiations team owner Tom Benson is thinking of but suggests "everybody have cooler heads about this."