re: When Tom Benson passes, away the Saints best ownership option is

Lambeau is used for what , about 8 to 10 games a year. Not a multi-purpose sight like the dome. Those folks have a different mind set and probably feel like they are a part of the organization when they come out and participate.
What else are you gonna do in Green Bay.

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You really think between the three of them (the Mannings, my note) they have enough money to buy an NFL team?

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You wanna know how I know you don't know much about the way large business corporations work? This statement.

How much money did Tom Benson actually put up in 1985 to buy the Saints from Mecom for a sales price of $70 million?

FIVE Million.

When you purchase an ongoing profitable business like any NFL franchise, you don't necessarily have to have a check with you for the entire amount at the closing.

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The Mannings would be our best option for the team to be competitive and remain in New Orleans. Archie, Peyton and Eli pooling their money and buying the Saints from the Benson family is our best hope

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Forbes lists the Saints franchise value at $1.75B.

Peyton has a $200M net worth, Eli is at $115M, and Archie is worth $10M.

Mannings would need significant outside investment to be able to buy the team, or they would need to get some partners and form an ownership group.

Jim Davison, billionaire trucking magnate from Ruston would be a likely suitor. He offered to buy the team in 2005 to keep them from moving to San Antonio.

ETA: quotes

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"I don’t know if Mr. Benson is willing to sell or wants to sell,” Bradshaw said. “Word I’m getting is that he does not want to sell, that he wants to give the team to his granddaughter. But I do have people that can get the money.” Quote: “I came out publicly because I just wanted the state of Louisiana to hear something positive about their Saints,” Bradshaw said. “As a homegrown guy, I would do everything that I could to make sure that they do no lose their football team. ... I want to keep everybody honest with the citizens of the State of Louisiana, primarily the City of New Orleans. It’s not their fault that Katrina came in and did all the devastation it did.” Quote: “Terry feels the same way about it that we do,” Steve Davison said. “We’re Louisiana folks. We’re passionate about our state, and we’re passionate about football, too. We’re interested in seeing New Orleans rebound from this thing. Losing the Saints would be a huge loss toward the recovery of our state.” Quote: “I just feel as though someone has to defend the state,” he said. “I’m a nobody, other than being a former athlete. I’m just going to be a voice, a watchdog. The NFL is a tremendous P.R. machine. I want to keep them honest with us. We’re talking about an entity that, combined with the Sugar Bowl and all the other things at the Superdome, brings a tremendous amount of revenue into our state. And I don’t want to see that leave us because we were misled.

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I did not intend to insinuate that the Mannings alone would have the capital to buy the Saints outright. I meant that the Mannings would be the controling interest, the leadership of the ownership group.

Drew Brees