An agreement has been reached between NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Saints owner Tom Benson that will have the New Orleans Saints practicing in Louisiana in 2006. The team is also hopeful that repairs can be made to the Superdome that will allow the Saints to play their home games there in time for next season.
Benson released a memo to the team Friday which read, 'Today we are very pleased to advise our entire organization — coaches, players and staff — that we will be returning to Metairie in January. We are working in Louisiana to play as many games as possible in the Superdome, which may be ready in September.'
If the Superdome is not ready in time to start the season, published reports indicate that the Saints would play the first part of their home schedule in Baton Rouge before the Superdome is ready for football. Benson expressed home that the repairs could be accelerated so the structure was ready for the season opener.
This season, the Saints played four games in Baton Rouge. Attendance was only slightly above 40,000 per game, well below NFL standards. Three games played in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, drew an average of 62,666. One 'home' game was even played at Giants Stadium in New Jersey.
The Saints practiced in San Antonio after Hurricane Katrina damaged their practice facilities and the Superdome. Players complained about having to play 'home' games in a different city from where they were practicing. To compensate the players for the difficulties they faced this season, the NFL gave each player who was on the Saints roster for all 16 games a $40,000 bonus.
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was pleased by the agreement. 'After 30-plus years of supporting the Saints, it is somewhat encouraging that the Saints will play the next season in our city and state,' Nagin said. 'We are happy that New Orleanians who have lost so much will have an NFL team next season to call their own.'
He later added, 'We look forward to the day when the Saints organization will fully commit to this community and be a vital part of our recovery for many years to come.'
The agreement covers the 2006 season but not beyond according to a published report by ESPN. Rumors have continued that Benson is looking to move the Saints unless he can get a new facility to replace the Superdome which he says is outmoded. San Antonio is considered a prime candidate to get the Saints if they move.
For now, however, both the people of New Orleans and the Saints players have something to look forward to in 2006. The players will have some long awaited stability while the fans eagerly await the day when the Saints come marching in to their old home.
