The "Saints might be too late to bid on the only Super Bowl that they can host in next decade story last week" was clearly a plant by Greg Bensel to put pressure on Government Officials to cave to Lady Gayle's demands on her other properties.

The Matriarch of New Orleans, Benson, clearly knows that she has the hearts and support of all Saints Fans at this time to pull off this savvy business negotiation!

quote:
Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes that a new lease for the Superdome, which has been fully negotiated, hasn’t been signed because of pending deals regarding related properties.

The other agreements relate to Benson Tower, Champions Square, and the Saints’ practice facility.

The state, predictably, wants to sign the Superdome deal before focusing on other talks. The team, just as predictably, hopes to leverage the Superdome deal to get better terms on the three incomplete agreements.

“Tying Benson Tower and Champions Square to the broader stadium arrangement is not a windfall,” Saints spokesman Greg Bensel told Duncan. “It is the financial backbone that makes the overall package work in a small NFL market like New Orleans.”

Pro Football Talk: Superdome least negotiations stall

This post was edited on 9/23/25 at 10:52 am

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Posted by AlaTiger

America

Member since Aug 2006

21638 posts

Posted on 9/23/25 at 11:12 am to UncleLester

I’m not a fan of Gayle, but we need the Saints in New Orleans. It’s something that ties the whole region together. What does the state lose in giving them what they want?

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Posted by ipodking

#StopTalkingAboutWomensSports

Member since Jun 2008

58959 posts

Posted on 9/23/25 at 3:51 pm to AlaTiger

Meh. Let them kick rocks

The San Antonio Saints always had a good ring to it

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Posted by Ghost Of Bristow

Member since Apr 2025

755 posts

Posted on 9/23/25 at 6:32 pm to UncleLester

Wait till these State officials find out they want a new arena or serious arena renovations for the Pelicans

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/10/23/new-orleans-pelicans-smoothie-king-center/

quote:
key issue facing the Pelicans is "what to do with Smoothie King Center,” which is nearly 25 years old and “in need of work,” according to Christian Clark of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. In a copy of the facility needs assessment report it said, “With the Smoothie King Center having undergone minimal renovations since opening in 1999, most systems and equipment have reached or exceeded their expected usable life.” Clark noted some of the issues highlighted “are easy fixes,” while others “are harder to solve.” Smoothie King Center has a “small footprint and could use more back-of-house space.” Additionally, the arena has the “smallest lower bowl in the NBA.”

This post was edited on 9/23/25 at 6:34 pm

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Posted by jlntiger

Member since Feb 2011

1605 posts

Posted on 9/23/25 at 7:24 pm to AlaTiger

Not a single taxpayer dollar should be spent on that lease . If New Orleans wants to pay let them but not the state . San Antonio isn’t happening Cowboys and Texans won’t let it . The saints aren’t moving because the state wouldn’t lease a building . 2nd the small market franchise bs you get a cut of the nfl tv money they aren’t hurting

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Posted by Domeskeller

Astrodome

Member since Jun 2020

9958 posts

Posted on 9/23/25 at 9:30 pm to Ghost Of Bristow

Sounds like an either/or situation. The state should not invest one dollar toward the Pelicans. Let them leave. The Saints are another story. I'd normally be against the government giving the Saints money, but government wastes money on far worse shite than sports.

This post was edited on 9/23/25 at 9:32 pm

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Posted by doubleb

Baton Rouge

Member since Aug 2006

42643 posts

Posted on 9/23/25 at 9:55 pm to jlntiger