Terry Bradshaw to rescue Saints from Benson?

[teke184 0]

http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/111005...saints001.shtml

 

 

Bradshaw wants to buy Saints, keep team in La. Louisiana

 

 

By The Associated Press

 

SHREVEPORT -- Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw said Wednesday he wants to put a potential ownership group together that would attempt to buy the New Orleans Saints and keep them in Louisiana, where Bradshaw grew up.

"I'm supporting the citizens of Louisiana who don't deserve to lose the Saints because of a hurricane," said Bradshaw, who starred for Louisiana Tech before winning four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

 

Bradshaw, now an NFL analyst for the Fox network, was in Shreveport for his induction into the city's Walk of Stars. He also viewed the installation of the first sign marking the new "Terry Bradshaw Passway" on Shreveport's inner highway loop.

 

Bradshaw told The Times of Shreveport that he doesn't have the money to buy the team himself. He said he has sought out additional investors, but did not name them. He is not sure whether Saints owner Tom Benson is interested in selling at this time, however.

 

"I have pursued other avenues to find out if Mr. Benson would be interested in selling the Saints," Bradshaw said. "I had to make sure I lined up the money. You've got to find out what Mr. Benson wants first."

 

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Benson has said he would prefer to keep the Saints in New Orleans but does not know if the city can support it. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has joined in discussions between the Saints and the Louisiana governor's office.

 

The Saints have relocated temporarily to San Antonio since the storm. They've played two games there and a third is scheduled in December.

 

But last week, Benson agreed to move back two crucial deadlines in the team's Louisiana Superdome lease with the state. An attorney for the Superdome, Larry Roedel, said this week that moving the deadlines all but guaranteed the Saints will play a 2006 schedule in Louisiana. He added that he has received assurances to that effect from the NFL, although the NFL has yet to confirm that publicly.

 

"We are focused on the Saints in Louisiana, including possible arrangements for their home playing schedule in 2006. No decisions have been made," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.

 

Roedel said he planned to meet this week with Saints representatives to work on new contract language.

 

The agreed upon contractual change would push back from Nov. 27 a provision giving the Saints the option to break their contract with the state because the Superdome was not fit for football after being damaged by Hurricane Katrina. That deadline has been pushed back to Jan. 15, 2007.

 

The change would also extend a March 31, 2006, deadline in the current agreement that gives the Saints the right to move to another city after this season by paying back $81 million in direct subsidies the team received from the state during the first four years of a 10-year, $186.5 million deal signed in 2001. That date has been extended by one year to March 31, 2007.

 

State officials said the Superdome, which received an estimated $125 million to $150 million in damage, will be ready for games a year from now.

 

The Saints still could attempt to break the lease before the new deadline by arguing the Superdome was not fit to house NFL games.

 

If they try that, however, the state will take the matter to court, arguing that the dome is being repaired and that an acceptable alternative was provided in LSU's Tiger Stadium.

 

"Just as the Saints' contention may be asserted until January 2007, so can our defensive positions," Roedel said

 

 

If this goes off, it'll just solidify the respect I have for my fellow Frater (Bradshaw joined TKE at Louisiana Tech).

 

A buyer getting the team from Benson is the best solution for everyone involved, but I thought it was just a pipe dream until Bradshaw's announcement.

 

I hope he hits up some corporations, such as The Shaw Group, for the money considering how much some of them made off of no-bid contracts to rebuild New Orleans. If so, consider it "investing in the infrastructure of Louisiana".

[Guest Vitamin X]

This is a real classy move on behalf of Bradshaw. I love it.

[Failed Bridge 0]

Tom Benson is the worst owner in all of sports. I'd love to see him out of football, but even if he did sell the Saints he would probably just take that money and try to become the owner of the L.A. franchise when they do get a team in the next couple seasons. I have my fingers crossed though that Bradshaw will be able to pull this off. Wouldn't be surprised to see him bring in Chuck Knoll in some capacity either if he were to become part owner.

[BruiserKC 0]

Why the hell is the NFL so hard-up to put a franchise in Los Angeles when in the span of about a couple of months in 1994 they lose BOTH their teams? The people of L.A. don't care one iota about having the NFL in their town.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Because it's a big media market town. They need the coverage and exposure there.

[BruiserKC 0]

And apparently it wasn't big enough for them to actually keep those teams in L.A.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Oh I agree. But the NFL wants a team there so they get media exposure in Los Angeles as well as their sunny stadium(s).

[Danville_Wrestling 0]

Yea, the people of Los Angeles don't want a team but the NFL is going to shove it down their damn throat anyway. Also, isn't the NFL big enough already with 32 teams?

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

The preferential method is moving an existing team there. I'd think the Vikings was a prime candidate before the new owner promised to keep them in Minnesota (plus a stadium is being built there.) Now if this Bradshaw group doesn't get the Saints, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Saints go to Los Angeles and once again screw up alignment.

[Hektik 0]

I would imagine that the Saints and Rams would switch divisons. They moved from LA first so they should be the ones to switch divisions.

 

Yea, the people of Los Angeles don't want a team but the NFL is going to shove it down their damn throat anyway.

I think a Los Angeles Saints team could get huge support from LA. If they move there for the 2006 season, I think Pete Caroll would be at the top of their list for head coach & GM. They could also end up drafting either Matt Leinart or Reggie Bush which would go a long way in LA.

[teke184 0]

I would imagine that the Saints and Rams would switch divisons.  They moved from LA first so they should be the ones to switch divisions.

 

Yea, the people of Los Angeles don't want a team but the NFL is going to shove it down their damn throat anyway.

I think a Los Angeles Saints team could get huge support from LA. If they move there for the 2006 season, I think Pete Caroll would be at the top of their list for head coach & GM. They could also end up drafting either Matt Leinart or Reggie Bush which would go a long way in LA.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

If they get either of them, it'll be Leinart.

 

Aaron Brooks should have been benched at least one year ago, and CERTAINLY after that 30-yard sack against the Miami Dolphins two weeks ago.

 

 

As for Bush, I doubt they'll take him with a high 1st-round pick considering that Deuce McAllister and Antowan Smith are both on the roster.

 

It would be better for the team to draft a linebacker, a defensive tackle, or another offensive lineman (preferably a guard) than a running back with that pick.