Well I'm not sure I even buy this myself, but it could be that all this time he is quietly trying to downvalue the team, as he is heading in to the lawsuit. If the value of the team declines or tanks (even just temporarily), it makes his swap of assets out of the trusts make a lot more sense... It was only when the team value was astronomically high that the Rita camp had a problem with the substitution of the trust assets. The trust agreements contain a provision requiring the trustee to ensure that any assets changed, are exchanged for assets of equal value. That was the initial sticking point all along. The value of the swap.

Is the team worth $556 million or 1.1 billion? That is the question. I'm no expert but I'd say the QB, GM and coach are on thin ice, the next year's season ticket sellout is in jeopardy, merchandise sales are at a lull (no stars on the team, plus anybody really want to buy a Brees jersey, that doesn't already have one by now?), and the overall value of the team is potentially dropping, by the week. It will bounce back of course but this could come down to being all about the appraisal.

Next year's season ticket sell out isn't in jeopardy. There is still a 50,000 person waiting list. A couple bad seasons isn't going to erase that. Even in the early 80's and mid 90's there was still 60,000 people attending Saints games and that ain't changing anytime soon.