interesesting info on Saints

[SPURSX3]

I was kind of shocked when our mayor took the offensive and said the Saints would do better here in SA than in Baton Rouge - calling it a "disaster" as far as support and ticket sales were going...what was MORE shocking was NO response from the Saints suggesting other wise!  Then on Sunday afer the football game Benson fires vp Fielkow - who made the bad mistake of suggesting Baton Rouge as an alternate site in the first place.  Now I am hearing that some of these guys are buying homes in The Dominion - One of the priciest places to live in SA - not a lot by LA standards mind you, but if you were only here temporarily - why INVEST that much into housing here - there are nice places all over here for far less money than the Dominion.  A lot is being done behind closed doors that much is clear - the Saints should rebut anything if it was out of place, but i am positive that the mayor MUST have Bensons blessing.  The fact is the league cannot FOrce THE SAINT TO PLAY ANYWHERE THEY DONT WANT TO.  A court would rule in favor of Mr Benson and his business over tagliabue.  I know this is not important to most of you but it is amazing HOW MUCH change my town is going through in what seems like such a short amount of time.  we have gone from a small place- still small but we were insanely tiny when i was a kid - to become the second largest city in texas - dallas as a town has less people it needs to be combined with fort worth to be considered "bigger."  now we are 8th largest in the US.  still growing rapidly everyday, Toyota, SBC, USAA, Washington Mutual, World Savings are all making big impacts here, and are drawing in more jobs from business that want to be closer to them.  We have a PGA village being built now with two PGA backed  golf courses which should draw more tournaments to San Antonio, of course we have the Spurs, and now we may have an NFL team...you know growing up here I would not have expected it to ever happen here.  Most of you are probably used to what you have where you are at - to me, I am still being surprised by it all.  I know nothing is done and there is a long way to go, but it does look like the Saints will be in SA soon.

Fielkow is shown the door by Benson
Saints executive is fired by owner
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
By Brian Allee-Walsh
Staff writer
SAN ANTONIO -- Wherever the displaced Saints land, be it in New Orleans, San Antonio or elsewhere, they will do so without Executive Vice President of Administration Arnold D. Fielkow, who was fired Monday by owner Tom Benson.

Fielkow had clashed with Benson after Hurricane Katrina regarding where the team would play its home games. Benson was pushing for all home games to be played in San Antonio, and Fielkow suggested the Saints play at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge

Fielkow, 49, served as the point man in helping Benson receive a 10-year, $186.5 million inducement package from Louisiana in 2002 that helped secure the club's continued presence in New Orleans.

Fielkow said he was summoned in mid-afternoon to Benson's makeshift office at the Alamodome where he declined to resign and was dismissed in the presence of San Antonio-based attorney Stanley Rosenberg.

"I asked Mr. Benson why he wanted me to resign and he said that I didn't look healthy," said Fielkow when reached late Monday while watching his son Steven's youth football game in San Antonio. "I asked him, 'Why are you doing this now? I've given you six good years and have done everything you have asked me to do.' To which he replied 'You didn't do what I wanted two months ago.' "
Fielkow's contract was to expire May 31, 2006.

"It's unbelievable," Fielkow said. "My family and I are extremely hurt and disappointed by today's actions. I believe the action that was taken was extremely unfair. On advice of counsel, I'll have more to say in the upcoming days."


Saints spokesman Greg Bensel issued a 24-word prepared statement signaling an abrupt end to Fielkow's five-plus years with the organization.

"Effective immediately," the statement read in part, "(Fielkow) is no longer associated with the team."

Benson declined comment through Bensel.

Those familiar with Monday's developments suggest Fielkow's days may have been numbered with the organization since his comments about where the Saints should play.

While Benson pushed to play all eight home games at the Alamodome, Fielkow publicly suggested the team should play the bulk of the games at Tiger Stadium. At NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue's insistence, Benson agreed to play four home games in Baton Rouge, three at the Alamodome and one at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Fielkow later softened his position, but team insiders say the damage had been done.

Until his dismissal Monday, Fielkow continued to oversee the administrative/business departments, including marketing and sales, governmental affairs, community relations, business media relations and youth programs for the franchise.

"My impression of Arnie was that while representing Mr. Benson and the Saints, he also was a member of our community," Superdome Commission chairman Tim Coulon said. "He was sympathetic in the big scheme of things in that he probably preferred that the team was back in New Orleans.

"I would never say he wasn't businesslike and didn't represent the Saints or Mr. Benson. At the same time, I got the sense that he understood the dynamics of the problems. Certainly in light of Katrina, in that the Saints were important to Louisiana, he had friends who suffered substantial losses, which gave him a bigger picture than just the Saints."

Fielkow's firing comes amidst news reports Monday that Benson has agreed to sit down in the offseason with state and local officials from Texas to discuss the possibility of relocating his franchise to San Antonio.

Coulon said it's uncertain who will serve as the club's chief negotiator in future contract and stadium talks with Gov. Kathleen Blanco and other high-ranking Louisiana and Superdome officials.

"The contract language is still the contract language," Coulon said. "I'm not sure who we will be dealing with. Maybe it will be Mr. Benson directly or his New Orleans attorney, Phil Whitman, or his good friend in San Antonio, Stanley Rosenberg."

Mayor wants Saints in San Antonio
Web Posted: 10/17/2005 12:00 AM CDT

Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer

Laying aside all pretenses about the city's interest in the New Orleans Saints, Mayor Phil Hardberger said Sunday he plans to pursue actively the permanent relocation of the team to San Antonio.

Hardberger said Saints owner Tom Benson has agreed to participate in discussions, likely at the end of the current season, aimed at making the team the "San Antonio Saints" before the start of the 2006 season.

"He (Benson) understands that we will sit down and talk," Hardberger said while attending Sunday's Saints-Atlanta Falcons game at the Alamodome. "That is his desire as well. I'm pretty comfortable in saying he wants to be here."

A sellout crowd of 65,562 — the largest ever for a football game in San Antonio — turned out to see the Saints lose to the Falcons, 34-31, on a last-minute field goal.

"I think Tom Benson would like to stay here permanently and I, as mayor of San Antonio, would like to have the team stay here permanently," said Hardberger, who watched much of the game in Benson's suite.

Benson declined comment.

"I'm not going to make any comments about it until the end of the season," he said.

The Saints' contract with the Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District, which operates the Louisiana Superdome, runs through the 2010 season. But the Saints can opt out of the deal by invoking a destruction, or force majeure clause, before Nov. 29.

"We have a contract in place," said Tim Coulon, head of the Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District. "I understand he has a business obligation, but he has an obligation to the state as well."

An NFL spokesman declined comment.

Gov. Rick Perry, who also watched the game in Benson's suite, said he agrees with Hardberger that San Antonio is the Saints' best relocation option.

Other dignitaries in the Benson suite included the mayors of Austin and Laredo and state Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio.

Hardberger reiterated that he's against using city funds to build a new stadium for the Saints but said he would welcome state assistance.

Perry indicated he's open to the idea.

"If and when the Saints decide to move, San Antonio and the surrounding area would be an ideal location," Perry said. "And the question of whether there is local or state support is, without a doubt, in the affirmative."

Said Wentworth: "I'm hopeful this is where (the Saints) land permanently. We'd love to have them."

To prepare for talks with Benson, the city has commissioned a cost-benefit analysis of the Saints in San Antonio.

"We want to know how much money realistically (Saints games) can bring into the city," Hardberger said. "I consider Tom Benson a friend, but Tom Benson isn't going to give his team away."

Luring the Saints to San Antonio could cost millions, Hardberger said.

"To get a team you have to spend money, and many people only see that part of it," Hardberger said. "But you have to ask what you are going to get out of it. If you are getting back $3 for every dollar you spend, so what if it takes millions?"

The Saints moved their operations to the Alamodome on Sept. 2, just one week after Hurricane Katrina heavily damaged the Superdome.

Three Saints home games subsequently were moved to the Alamodome. Four others were moved to Baton Rouge, La., where ticket sales have lagged badly behind sales here.

Hardberger last week called the tickets sales situation in Baton Rouge "a disaster." About 42,000 tickets remain for the Saints' Baton Rouge opener Oct. 30 at LSU's Tiger Stadium, which will seat 79,000 for Saints games. "The truth is they are not selling tickets in Baton Rouge," Hardberger said. "Do you want to see half of the seats filled or all of the seats?"

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue is expected to talk to LSU officials next week about the Saints playing their 2006 home games in Baton Rouge.

Tagliabue "doesn't want them here," Hardberger said. "He wants them in Baton Rouge, and the only reason he wants them there is he doesn't want them to settle in here and be successful. Otherwise, Baton Rouge makes no sense because we will outsell their tickets, two to one. (Benson) doesn't want to be in Baton Rouge, where he would be losing money every game."

The Saints could face stiff resistance from the league if they attempt to relocate. According to league policy, such a move would require approval from 24 of the NFL's 32 owners.

"It's going to be a struggle," Hardberger said. "But the Saints are not working against this. Benson has said on numerous occasions he wants to be in San Antonio. The players want to be here and the coaches want to be here. Now, (Benson) is a businessman.

"But I believe him when he says he ultimately wants the team to be here and stay here."

State dollars eyed to help lure Saints
Web Posted: 10/18/2005 12:00 AM CDT

Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer

A state lawmaker says he would like to use a portion of a state economic development fund to help San Antonio's campaign to permanently land the New Orleans Saints.

State Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, said Monday he is exploring use of the Texas Enterprise Fund to help build a Saints relocation war chest. Of the $182 million appropriated this year for the fund, about $146 million remains available through 2007.

"That's the first logical place to look," Wentworth said.

"That fund was created to help (businesses) make decisions to come to Texas as opposed to somewhere else. In my judgment, the Saints coming here would create jobs and spark economic development."

Wentworth said he has asked Gov. Rick Perry, who, with the lieutenant governor and speaker of the House, must unanimously approve each disbursement, to consider using development funds as part of a financial incentives package to entice the Saints to stay in San Antonio.

Meanwhile, in a move that could signal the Saints' intentions, team owner Tom Benson on Monday fired his chief administrator, Arnold Fielkow.

Fielkow, who was in his sixth year with the organization and a member of the team's board of directors, was known to be a strong supporter of the Saints returning to New Orleans as soon as the city's Superdome facility, damaged during Hurricane Katrina, is repaired or replaced.

Last month, as the Saints were settling into new training quarters at the Alamodome, Fielkow warned Louisiana state officials that Benson was considering permanent relocation. Team sources said Fielkow was dismissed for opposing Benson's desire to explore relocation options.

The team moved its operations to San Antonio on Sept. 2, just days after Katrina left much of New Orleans underwater.

The Saints already have played two of their scheduled home games in the Alamodome and will play another there on Dec. 24. Four home games are scheduled for Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., the first Oct. 30.

Mayor Phil Hardberger, interviewed during Sunday's games against the Atlanta Falcons at the dome, said he intends to open negotiations at the end of the season with Benson with the goal of keeping the team in San Antonio.

Hardberger said Benson shares that goal and has agreed to discuss permanent relocation.

Other local leaders fell in behind Hardberger on Monday.

"That kind of leadership is a necessary ingredient for any attempt to acquire an NFL team," said businessman B.J. "Red" McCombs, who until last year owned the Minnesota Vikings.

"I applaud him every way I can because the NFL is good for the city. Without that leadership, there's no way we would even have a chance."

"It's about time we had some strong leadership on this issue," said Mike Lynd Jr., an executive with The Lynd Co., the city's largest apartment management company.

"You can't ask for much more than what (Hardberger) said. He recognized the opportunity and is taking advantage of it. This is not going to happen without a tremendous amount of leadership citywide."

Count Judge Nelson Wolff said he in "100 percent agreement" that the city should pursue the Saints — but without the promise of a new stadium or subsidies.

Hardberger said he opposes city funding of a new stadium and will not support subsidies, which Benson receives from the state of Louisiana to play in the Superdome.

"I think he laid it out just right," Wolff said of Hardberger.

Perry, who briefly addressed the Saints issue while attending Sunday's game, said he supports the idea of the Saints moving to Texas. But a spokeswoman for Perry said Monday "it's way too premature" to discuss dipping into the Texas Enterprise Fund.

"The governor thinks it would be great if the Saints want to move here — and Texas would welcome them," spokeswoman Kathy Walt said. "But, beyond that, it's way too early to talk about whether there are funds available for assistance."

Hardberger's comments drew a carefully crafted response from the attorney representing the Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District, which operates the Superdome.

"The post-hurricane challenges for Louisiana should not lead to a tug of war between San Antonio and New Orleans, and certainly not between San Antonio and Baton Rouge," attorney Larry Roedel said.

"The Saints have at least two generations of loyal supporters in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast on our end of the rope. San Antonio has been a gracious host, as is LSU, during a difficult time. There are many precedents in the NFL for a pro team to play two or more seasons at a college venue while a stadium is being built or remodeled. We are following NFL precedent in that regard."

The Saints have a contract with the Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District to play at the Superdome through 2010. But a force majeure clause allows the Saints to declare the stadium unusable and terminate the contract.

and finally..

Saints loss victory for San Antonio
Players commend fans' Texas-sized enthusiasm, support
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
By Brian Allee-Walsh
Staff writer
SAN ANTONIO -- Although the NFL standings reflect another disappointing loss, the city of San Antonio may have scored a moral victory in its effort to entice the Saints away from New Orleans.

An Alamodome record-crowd of 65,562 watched to the bitter end Sunday as the Atlanta Falcons won 34-31 on a controversial 36-yard field goal by kicker Todd Peterson as time expired.

It is the largest crowd to watch a sporting event at the Alamodome, where the Saints temporarily have relocated their football operations since being chased from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina in late August.

Reports surfaced Monday in the San Antonio Express-News that Saints owner Tom Benson has agreed with state and local leaders to explore the possibility of moving his team permanently to San Antonio during the offseason.

Players had mixed reactions to the sound of the "San Antonio Saints."

"I'm still not over leaving New Orleans yet so I can't put myself in that mode," wide receiver Joe Horn said. "I'd rather stay in New Orleans. That's my home. Texas is a wonderful place and they've treated us beyond great. But New Orleans is home and that's where we want to be. But we have no control over that."

Sunday's game was the second of three scheduled "home" games at the Alamodome. The Saints beat the Buffalo Bills 19-7 before an announced crowd of 58,688 Oct. 2.

The last game at the Alamodome occurs Christmas Eve against the Detroit Lions.

In the coming months, the Saints will play four home games at Tiger Stadium, beginning with the Miami Dolphins at 3:05 p.m. on Oct. 30.

Other scheduled home games in Baton Rouge include Chicago (Nov. 6), Tampa Bay (Dec. 4) and Carolina (Dec. 18).

Ticket sales have been slow for the games in Baton Rouge, with approximately 42,000 remaining for the Dolphins game, which will mark the return of former LSU coach Nick Saban to Tiger Stadium.

Several players said they wished all of the team's remaining home games could be played in San Antonio because of the outpouring of support from fans.

"We'd rather play our home games here without a doubt because San Antonio wants us and the fans are supporting us," Horn said. "But if they don't want us in Baton Rouge, then I don't want to play there. If they would welcome us with open arms like some of the people in San Antonio are doing, that'd be great. But, in the long term, I want to go back to New Orleans."
Saints guard Kendyl Jacox said he never wanted to play in Baton Rouge in the first place.

"To me, that's not a home game, that's an away game," he said. "We have to travel don't we? We have to get on a bus, get on a plane, get back on a bus and go to sleep in a hotel.

"Right now, we don't even know if we're going to leave Saturday or Sunday morning for the first game in Baton Rouge because of the hotel situation. What kind of -- -- -- -- is that? That's no way to play. But those are the cards we were dealt."

Jacox said Sunday's atmosphere inside the Alamodome reminded him of rowdy times at the Superdome, with one exception.

"The energy that San Antonio has brought to these games is remarkable," Jacox said. "The 12th man has been amazing. It can get real loud in the Superdome when we're clicking on all cylinders but they're bringing energy here even when things aren't going our way. The biggest difference is I have not heard one boo here."
One reason, perhaps, is because NFL games are still a novelty in San Antonio and local fans haven't been exposed to the years of frustration and disappointment endured by long-suffering Saints fans.

"True," Saints tight end Ernie Conwell said. "They haven't had to live with the New Orleans Saints for the last 25 years. So it's all relative."

Conwell awarded his own game ball to those fans that have supported the Saints in the first two games at the Alamodome.

"Obviously, Texas is a great state for football in general, and San Antonio has been more than happy to welcome us," he said. "The kind of stadium atmosphere we had yesterday, can it get any better than that in the league?"

Saints cornerback Fred Thomas and other players took a diplomatic approach when asked their opinion about a possible move to San Antonio, a move that NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said he opposes.

"To me, the Saints moving here with everything that is going on in New Orleans . . ."

Thomas paused.

"Nah, I'm not gong to dive into that. I'll let the people upstairs handle that. But San Antonio has made a statement with the crowds and how everybody is getting into it and saying how they'd like to have us here. But it all falls back on to the people upstairs."

Now as an SA sport fan...I just have to say that we are NOT the fans that would BOO our own team.  look at or Spurs, through thick and thin we cheer for them, we believe in them, we support them.  It's too bad these players have had to go through this with thier "fans."  Move them to SA Mr. Benson.

[Reality]

any validity to what ol Buck says?:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketb...y.17da6279.html

[SPURSX3]

any validity to what ol Buck says?:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketb...y.17da6279.html

Reality, I think it is important to note that we had mayors from other cities at the game sitting with Mr. Benson as well.  this team may not be "San Antonio" but may be more "texas valley", "texas south", etc.  In all likely hood  you will see San Antonio/Austin as the priority market fan base, these two cities combined make us the 19th largest media market in the US.  larger than over half the cities in the NFL.  We should have enough companies between both cities to fill the luxury suites and buy sponsor ship packages.  As far as coinciding with the Spurs...It may hurt the Spurs a little bit Reality - but dont buy into the they cant both exist stuff - we love the spurs and they will always have support here, they just dont like having competition for the first time here.  they will survive, no doubt about that.

[SPURSX3]

I will add that again, nothign is set in stone, and Mr. Benson is a car sales man after all...but he seems to be doing everything he can to get rid of opposition to a relocation.   Even if he doesnt pick SA - I dont see the Saints going back to NO, let them hate us if they want, Benson IS going to try to use the Force Majuer clause and evade and 81 million buyout - WHO WOULDN'T??


**you will more than likely see a lot happen before the first game takes place in Baton Rouge Reality, Benson will want to get the ball rolling before Tagliabue starts talking about playing next season in Baton Rouge...**

[SPURSX3]

EXPAND EXPAND EXPAND!!!  LA, MEXICO CITY, SAN ANTONIO, NAH' ORLEANS!!!

IF we did end up with a team call them the Diablo's - specially since we would not be seen as "saints" by that point..lol

********************************************************************

New Orleans mayor blasts Saints owner
Nagin accuses Benson of negotiating permanent move to San Antonio

Updated: 3:00 p.m. ET Oct. 19, 2005
NEW ORLEANS - Mayor Ray Nagin disparaged Saints owner Tom Benson on Wednesday for working with San Antonio officials to permanently keep the NFL team in Texas.

The mayor’s comments came after the departures of two top Saints executives who were supportive of keeping the Saints in Louisiana. Nagin is concerned that San Antonio officials said publicly that Benson is working with them to relocate the franchise to Texas.

“We want our Saints, we may not want the owner back,” Nagin said while attending the reopening of Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter.

“I’m ready to go to the NFL and to (commissioner Paul) Tagliabue and say, ’Give us the Cleveland plan,’ ” Nagin added, referring to the league awarding Cleveland an expansion team almost immediately after the Browns moved to Baltimore after the 1995 season. “Whatever the Saints want to do, you let them leave, but they can’t take our logo, they can’t take our name, and you give us a promise to give us a franchise when this city’s back.”

A Saints spokesman did not return a telephone call and e-mail seeking a response to Nagin’s comments.

“For them to be openly talking to other cities about moving is disrespectful to the citizens of New Orleans, disrespectful to the Saints fans who have hung in with this franchise through 30-something years under very trying times,” Nagin said.

The Saints joined the NFL in 1967. In 1986, Benson was part of an ownership group that bought the team to ensure it would stay in Louisiana. Benson eventually bought out other members of the group.

During Benson’s ownership, the state of Louisiana has built him a new headquarters, including spending $6.75 million for an indoor practice field in 2003. The state also has paid for repeated improvements to the Louisiana Superdome at Benson’s insistence during the past two decades.

On Monday night, Benson fired Arnold Fielkow, the team’s top business executive since 2000. Fielkow had overseen a 36-game sellout streak at the Superdome and negotiated an unprecedented stadium lease that called for the state to pay Benson $187 million in direct subsidies over 10 years.

But Fielkow has said he believed the Saints needed to be leaders in New Orleans’ rebuilding process after Hurricane Katrina and repeatedly praised Saints fans in Louisiana as the best and most loyal in the NFL. Fielkow has since said that stance led to his dismissal.

On Tuesday, Conrad Kowal, senior director of marketing and business development, also resigned.

Nagin called Benson’s recent actions a “doggone shame.”

[Reality]

Duncan retiring after more titles and surpassing Shaqs legacy....then what for San Antone?

Maybe with the rise in popularity of Country music, some 7 foot plus great young phenom Center will want to come play in San Antonio in 2010 so he can make records.  Oh wait that would be Nashville?  Aha Jerry West has a plan. B)  

[SPURSX3]

Duncan retiring after more titles and surpassing Shaqs legacy....then what for San Antone?

Maybe with the rise in popularity of Country music, some 7 foot plus great young phenom Center will want to come play in San Antonio in 2010 so he can make records.  Oh wait that would be Nashville?  Aha Jerry West has a plan. B)

After duncan we will be fine, and still support the Spurs.  No need to worry about them leaving US anytime soon - we dont BOO them, we dont wear paper bags on our heads, You won't see me worrying about losing the Spurs any time soon dude.

[SPURSX3]

I knew this was gonna start getting ugly quick, real quick, a lot has to be done to cut off Tagliabue from negotiating with LSU on 30 October.   What's interesting is that now the league is not saying ANYTHING about the whole thing unfolding in front of them...


********************************************************************

Benson to bail on Superdome

Web Posted: 10/21/2005 12:00 AM CDT

Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson plans to void his lease agreement for the Louisiana Superdome by declaring the facility unusable, sources close to the Saints' organization say.

The move, likely to come in November, would be the boldest step yet by Benson to free his NFL team from his Louisiana commitments and pave the way for a possible permanent relocation to San Antonio.

However, sources caution, Benson may pursue a plan in which he offers San Antonio only a short-term commitment — to keep his team here for the 2006 season — and after that weigh his prospects in San Antonio against what may be available in a reconstructed New Orleans.

One source said such a scenario would "buy him some time."

Meanwhile, several local leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, say the certainty of Benson's plans to break ties with Louisiana has boosted momentum for Mayor Phil Hardberger's Saints relocation efforts in recent days.

They point to serious discussions in public and private sectors about financing for Alamodome improvements, state-funding possibilities and what corporation may be most eager to agree to a naming rights deal that could add as much as $100 million to the relocation war chest.

Mike Abington, director of the Alamodome, said refurbishing that facility to provide Benson with additional luxury suites may cost considerably less than the $136 million suggested in a 2000 appraisal.

"It was a quickie study," Abington said. "When a comprehensive study is done based on the team's needs, that will reveal a more accurate estimate."

Hardberger agreed, adding that many of the improvements detailed in that study already have been made. He estimated $50 million would be needed to boost luxury-suite capacity from 38 to 60. Still, the NFL average is about 120.

County Judge Nelson Wolff confirmed prominent business leaders met last week to discuss planned negotiations between the city and the Saints — talks Hardberger said would begin early next year.

"Tom has made it clear he really doesn't want to enter negotiations until the end of the season, and I respect that," Hardberger said Thursday.

Wolff said local business leaders also are eager to iron out an unsightly wrinkle in the city's Saints attraction: the impact on the NBA champion Spurs.

"There are concerns that whatever is done, we don't want to diminish financial support for the Spurs," Wolff said.

Benson has the option to invoke a "force majeure" clause in the Saints' lease agreement with the state of Louisiana, which operates the Superdome.

The clause gives him the right to void the lease, without penalty, if he claims an "act of God" has rendered the stadium unusable for the team's games.

But sources say Benson is more concerned about New Orleans' damaged economy than he is the status of the Superdome. Benson, sources say, believes he can make more money in San Antonio than in Baton Rouge, where the Saints will play four games this season.

Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans on Aug. 29, flooding the city and seriously damaging the Superdome.

Days after the storm, the Saints moved their training headquarters to San Antonio. Eight home games were rebooked, three to the Alamodome.

Superdome officials on Thursday said repair work has begun and the stadium should be ready for the Saints to play at least a portion of their 2006 home games there.

But Larry Roedel, an attorney who represents the Superdome, said last week it would be "difficult" to schedule football games in the dome for the 2006 season.

Tim Coulon, head of the stadium commission, said the state will fight any attempt by Benson to get out of the Superdome lease, possibly in court or through arbitration. The lease runs through 2010.

Benson has until Nov. 28 to invoke the "force majeure" clause and avoid an $81 million exit penalty for walking away from the agreement. Sources say he plans to do just that.

In what some see as a warm-up exercise, Benson has informed Louisiana officials that the Saints are terminating the lease agreement for their training facility in Metairie, a New Orleans suburb.

The facility was taken over by FEMA as a disaster-relief base following Katrina.

FEMA since has moved out, but Benson has told the state that damage caused by the agency's use of the facility rules out use by his team.

Roedel said the state intends to repair the facility and will insist the lease be honored.

Local leaders say they're open to any short-term plans Benson may propose — plans that may fall short of immediate permanent relocation.

One source said an agreement for just the 2006 season would provide an impetus, as well as political security, for any plan to refurbish the Alamodome and attract additional major events.

Hardberger, who opposes city funding for a new stadium, said he considers the Alamodome sound currency to take to the negotiating table.

"We aren't talking about a facility outdated or outmoded," Hardberger said. "Nor one in a state of disrepair. The Alamodome is in good shape."

If refurbishment money is appropriated, he said, it "will go to adding suites."

State Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, said he wants to use a portion of the Texas Enterprise Fund to provide money for the city's Saints relocation campaign. He said $146 million remains in the fund for use until 2007.

Wentworth said he also has found $10 million in fund money for "special events" left over from the 2003 legislative session.

Hardberger, meanwhile, found a prominent defender the day after Louisiana officials blasted him and Benson for agreeing to talk about the relocation of the Saints.

"Phil Hardberger has operated with the highest degree of integrity," said local businessman B.J. "Red" McCombs, former owner of the Minnesota Vikings.

"For anyone to look at what he's done as far as creating the problem in New Orleans is ludicrous. New Orleans' problems are real, and the Saints are going to have to play somewhere."



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
torsborn@express-news.net

[SPURSX3]

Benson is hosing everyone...interesting ploy.

I don't think Benson wants to go to L.A., I think this ad is a way to stop Tags from gathering steam for a LA move.  But I also think this is a ploy to save ticket sales in Louisiana, hiwle at the same time buying time here in SA.  What the NFL wants - play in SA for 2006 and then move to LA after that.  What I get the feeling Benson wants is play in SA 2006 - stay here after that while getting incentives during the 2006 season and dangling LA in front of u8s to make it happen.  Thing is, we are not going to vote for new taxes to make it hapen, atlerast i dont think we will.  I would, hel tax the tourists to pay for a new dome, whatever.  Anyway people on the NOLA.com site dont really buy this crap either.

http://www.nola.com/hurricane/katrina/pdf/102605/1026D03.pdf