Benson v Louisiana makes us Losers

WhoDat · 05-24-2005, 03:48 PM

Wow. Great post. I just heard about the season ticket sales myself. I think they've sold 23,000 or something like that. Last year at this time they were over 40,000 or some crazy number (don't quote those stats).

You're right Xan. Benson looks to be hurting himself simply by his comments. He claimed not to be able to make any money when he was making it hand over fist. As a result, it looks like the team really might not make any money. He has disenfranchised his fan base. That article (by Finney of the TP I think) hit the nail on the head. Jim Finks would never have allowed this to happen. Public support for the Saints has never been lower in LA. That makes it real easy for Blanco to stand firm on her offer and make Benson swallow it.... or leave.

Of course, it's looking really hard for Benson to leave. I doubt he'll get a better offer anywhere, and as many people have said, there's no way that LA is going to accept this team. They need a winner with some serious stars and fire power. Until the stadium deal, I thought Indy really might get moved. Now I don't know, but I think Tagliabue is too smart to move this team to LA... at least, not without a change in ownership, Brand, and entire front office staff. That is possible I guess.

My hope is that the Saints have a tremendous season. Both sides need it. Benson should be scared by the reaction he's received during these negotiations, and hopefully will try to strike a deal after a good year when public opinion is more favorable and lenient. Of course, if he's smart he'll try to save face by asking for just barely a little more than the State offered, take it, and shut the hell up for a few years. Likewise, after a good year, Blanco might not be in such a vice. She would be able to negotiaite, but could probably make Benson take the same basic deal that she's offered. Everyone is happy and we've got a winner in NO. That's the best thing I can think for this team. Another .500 season and things only get worse, IMO.

05-24-2005, 03:48 PM	#3
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	RE: Benson v Louisiana makes us Losers Wow. Great post. I just heard about the season ticket sales myself. I think they've sold 23,000 or something like that. Last year at this time they were over 40,000 or some crazy number (don't quote those stats). You're right Xan. Benson looks to be hurting himself simply by his comments. He claimed not to be able to make any money when he was making it hand over fist. As a result, it looks like the team really might not make any money. He has disenfranchised his fan base. That article (by Finney of the TP I think) hit the nail on the head. Jim Finks would never have allowed this to happen. Public support for the Saints has never been lower in LA. That makes it real easy for Blanco to stand firm on her offer and make Benson swallow it.... or leave. Of course, it's looking really hard for Benson to leave. I doubt he'll get a better offer anywhere, and as many people have said, there's no way that LA is going to accept this team. They need a winner with some serious stars and fire power. Until the stadium deal, I thought Indy really might get moved. Now I don't know, but I think Tagliabue is too smart to move this team to LA... at least, not without a change in ownership, Brand, and entire front office staff. That is possible I guess. My hope is that the Saints have a tremendous season. Both sides need it. Benson should be scared by the reaction he's received during these negotiations, and hopefully will try to strike a deal after a good year when public opinion is more favorable and lenient. Of course, if he's smart he'll try to save face by asking for just barely a little more than the State offered, take it, and shut the hell up for a few years. Likewise, after a good year, Blanco might not be in such a vice. She would be able to negotiaite, but could probably make Benson take the same basic deal that she's offered. Everyone is happy and we've got a winner in NO. That's the best thing I can think for this team. Another .500 season and things only get worse, IMO.
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. ThatÃ¢Â€Â™s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans SaintsÃ¢Â€Â™ 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.\"