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Heartless Benson ponders bad move (Saints Owner)
The Washington Times ^ | 9-7-05 | Tom Knott

Posted on 09/07/2005 11:06:12 AM PDT by JZelle

Tom Benson, the wealthy owner of the Saints, has his tin cup out while money and relief workers pour into devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. If he has a heart, it is made of stone. Benson reportedly is entertaining the notion of moving the Saints to San Antonio or Los Angeles on a permanent basis, the team's vice president indicated to a television station in New Orleans. Arnold Fielkow told WDSU-TV that Benson is maneuvering to strike a deal with the highest bidder and does not care how he is perceived in New Orleans, Louisiana and nationally. Benson apparently does not care if he goes down in sports history as one of the most reviled owners ever, because that is how it will be. To even think of abandoning a city in its hour of greatest need is contemptible, and NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue undoubtedly will make that clear to Benson in their discussions this week, if he hasn't already.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: breadandcircuses; hurricane; katrina; neworleanssaints; nfl; saints; tombenson
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It's his right, but the timing's awful!
1 posted on 09/07/2005 11:06:17 AM PDT by JZelle
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To: JZelle

I can't say I blame him at all though. It will take forever to get the Superdome back in playing condition and there L.A. is, second biggest market in the nation, with no NFL team.


2 posted on 09/07/2005 11:09:23 AM PDT by Bluegrass Conservative
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To: JZelle

Benson was threatening to move the Saints even before the hurricane. He wanted $15 million from the state/city as incentive to stay in New Orleans, PLUS another $10-15 million in improvements to the Superdome facilities. This was being hotly debated in the local papers before Katrina hit.


3 posted on 09/07/2005 11:09:33 AM PDT by Lorianne
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To: JZelle

He's been threatening a move trying to get a new stadium for a while now. With the very existence of the Superdome in the air now would be kind of a stupid time for him to take that off the table. Yeah it's rude an insensitive, and I've never liked Benson anyway, but at this juncture if he fully commits to staying in NO he could have a team without a home field for years.


4 posted on 09/07/2005 11:10:07 AM PDT by discostu (When someone tries to kill you, you try to kill them right back)
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To: JZelle

The Saints had already rejected a city/state proposal for a new stadium back in the spring of this year. Their long-term prospects for staying in New Orleans were not very good to begin with, and now they no longer have any reason to stay -- since their home is a city that no longer exists for all practical purposes.


5 posted on 09/07/2005 11:10:07 AM PDT by Alberta's Child (I ain't got a dime, but what I got is mine. I ain't rich, but Lord I'm free.)
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To: JZelle

Cool! A villain other than Bush.


6 posted on 09/07/2005 11:11:24 AM PDT by popdonnelly
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To: Lorianne

SMG says $100 million damage to the Superdome.


7 posted on 09/07/2005 11:12:16 AM PDT by BurbankKarl (Got Bus?)
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To: Bluegrass Conservative

People in LA still won't go to the games though. If he had produced a winning product, he would not be having this problem.


8 posted on 09/07/2005 11:13:00 AM PDT by KC_Conspirator (This space outsourced to India)
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To: JZelle

It would be an interesting name - the Los Angeles Saints.


9 posted on 09/07/2005 11:13:40 AM PDT by July 4th (A vacant lot cancelled out my vote for Bush.)
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To: KC_Conspirator

He should move to Los Angeles. Texas has two teams already. It is a no brainer.


10 posted on 09/07/2005 11:14:21 AM PDT by BurbankKarl (Got Bus?)
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To: July 4th

The New Orleans Saints of Los Angeles


11 posted on 09/07/2005 11:14:48 AM PDT by BurbankKarl (Got Bus?)
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To: JZelle
It's no small task being the most reviled owner ever.

Any list would have to include Art Modell, Bill Bidwill, Al Davis, Jerry Jones, Daniel Snyder, and the crazy Glazer Brothers. In fact, it's almost a requirement for an owner to demand ransom from a city. Did I mention our town's Georgia Frontiere?

12 posted on 09/07/2005 11:15:44 AM PDT by TravisBickle (Are you talking to me?)
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To: July 4th
As I stated in an earlier thread about this (or similar) topic, I think the League will hold out on letting the Saints move to Los Angeles.

Why get the leavings of what a pre-existing team will give the league, when the franchise rights to a new team will be in the millions of dollars?

13 posted on 09/07/2005 11:16:11 AM PDT by akorahil (consider this space filled with yet another witty and irreverent tag line instead of this...)
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To: JZelle

Many cities lose their team. The Saints might be the first team to lose its city.


14 posted on 09/07/2005 11:17:16 AM PDT by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: TravisBickle
Some would have added Red McCombs to your list.

But then again, I prayed he would have moved the Vikings out of MN...

15 posted on 09/07/2005 11:17:24 AM PDT by akorahil (consider this space filled with yet another witty and irreverent tag line instead of this...)
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To: Bluegrass Conservative
It will take forever to get the Superdome back in playing condition and there L.A. is, second biggest market in the nation, with no NFL team.

IMO, the SuperDome will never be able to played in again. It may be poor timing for some, but it is only common sense for the team and the players to search for a permanent relocation. Question now is where will the Sugar Bowl be played?

16 posted on 09/07/2005 11:17:48 AM PDT by N. Theknow (Be a glowworm. A glowworm's never glum. How can you be grumpy when the sun shines out your bum?)
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To: BurbankKarl

The Los Angeles Hurricanes!!


17 posted on 09/07/2005 11:18:06 AM PDT by Rokurota (.)
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To: JZelle

Who owns the stadium?


18 posted on 09/07/2005 11:19:38 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: BurbankKarl

heh heh


19 posted on 09/07/2005 11:20:52 AM PDT by RckyRaCoCo ("When you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk!")
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Comment #20 Removed by Moderator


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