Mayor wants Saints in San Antonio

San Antonio Express ^ | Oct 17, 2005 | Tom Orsborn

[VRWCTexan]

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."

[VRWCTexan]

I will go out on a very short limb and predict that it will soon be the the "San Antonio Saints"

[SF Republican]

it will soon be the the "San Antonio Saints" and there will still be only one professional football team in Texas - Go Cowboys.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

I heard a news story on the radio today that the NFL is dedicated to having a team in Louisiana.

[H. Paul Pressler IV]

LA Saints

SA Ain't go no money to support an NFL Team

[MarineBrat]

I still say they should go to Salt Lake City and be the "Latter Day Saints."

[H. Paul Pressler IV]

LA Saints

SA Ain't got no money to support an NFL Team.

[Yossarian]

I'm sure there are elements in NFL management that a) don't want to be seen as abandoning Louisiana, and others that are b) trying to find a team to put in Los Angeles.

I can't believe that more than a decade has gone by without an NFL team in the Los Angeles / Orange County area! I know the government doesn't want to cave in with guarantees and concessions, and I like that. I'm amazed that the NFL has so far given up on the second biggest market in the US. It may be the most important market in terms of media influence....

[decal]

Tom Benson is the Donald Sterling of the NFL - doesn't have a clue about running a football team, just in it for the money.

He's getting $15 million a year from Louisiana to stay there. Unless SA wants to match it, or LA says forget it, he ain't leaving.

If they DO move to SA, the Alamodump will be one-third full for every game within three years.

Paul Tagliabue will "persuade" Mr Benson to sell, and they'll be moved again, to where the NFL wanted them all along...Los Angeles.

[Dog Gone]

Move them to Los Angeles. Louisiana is no longer a viable option.

[kabar]

New York has three professional NFL teams. Texas, the second largest state, should be able to support three teams better than NY.

[Yossarian]

Maybe what would make sense is a "temporary" move to Los Angeles, until Louisiana and surrounding economy gets back on their feet.

This get the NFL off the hook for abandoning LA the state, and it gets them some action back in LA the city.

I'm sure there are holes in this idea - I'm just thinking out loud....

[Grut]

[I]t will soon be the the "San Antonio Saints" and there will still be only one professional football team in Texas - Go Cowboys.

I remember the Cowboys... fired Landry, didn't they? What's happened since?

[mainepatsfan]

NFL PING

[TexasCajun]

But at least we have a baseball team!

Go 'STROS!! Just One More!

[TexasCajun]

S.A./Saints were already talking before Katrina I do believe.

[speed_addiction]

Louisiana is no longer a viable option.

New Orleans was already a very small market for an NFL team. The population even AFTER NO gets back on it's feet will not be anywhere near what it was before. It would be a mistake to leave the team there.

San Antonio is a good place for them and football crazy Texas will support them.


What We Are About To Do Here Is What The Good Lord Would Call A Cleansing of the Wicked. I Call It A Good Old Fashioned Texas Ass Kicking.

[A message]

After watching the Texans last night, who could disagree with your statement.

It looked like those were high school boys out there trying to tackle Alexander.

[Ranald S. MacKenzie]

I remember the Cowboys... fired Landry, didn't they? What's happened since?

Let me think....three Super Bowl wins, maybe? (To add to the two they already had).

[A message]

I remember the Cowboys... fired Landry, didn't they? What's happened since?

Oh, I dont know maybe won a Super Bowl. And like all dynasties in the modern era, they are now having to reload. Like the 49ers, Steelers and like the Patriots will have to experience in the coming years.

Don't get me wrong, I do not like the Cowboys and never will but they are coming out of their lean times and they will be a contender again.

yeech, cant believe I wrote that, ugh :(

[Dysart]

We would welcome another team in Texas, no doubt. But the Aints? I'm not sure this franchise is worth fighting over. I know that the NFL desperately wants Los Angeles to have a team but, historically, the city doesn't support their football clubs. As someone already eluded to, there will be pressure to allow NO to keep the Saints for symbolic reasons. Hard to figure this one.