GumboBC

SAINTS HOPE FOR AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPAL IN TWO WEEKS
The New Orleans Saints want a deal in principal with the state by two weeks from today. Team officials have said the timeline is important, so they can go to the NFL spring meeting with good news and bid for a Super Bowl.

Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco says they have put a proposal on the table and are waiting for the Saints official response. She says she's asked Saints Owner Tom Benson to take into consideration all the needs of the state: “Remember that we’re trying to fund education, we’re trying to take of the elderly, we’re trying to take care of health care needs, and we have huge budget challenges.�

Blanco told WWL television that the state’s offer is “generous.� Blanco is offer to the Saints Superdome upgrades to increase premium-seating revenue that the Saints do not have to share with the rest of the NFL, in exchange for the Saints accepting reduced annual payments and helping the state to pay for the Superdome’s upgrades.

Neither side has commented on the progress of negotiations. Both sides are sticking to a self-imposed blackout while talks continue.

dberce1

I don\'t think Tom likes the part about having the opportunity to \"earn more revenues\". He wants guaranteed money, he doesn\'t want to have to earn anything. Otherwise, he\'d put a winner on the field.