Saints to play home games in San Antonio, will not refund season tickets.

[Sgt PSN]

What did the Chargers do when they had to move a home game to Arizona a few years ago??

If I'm not mistaken, they refunded the money to everyone who had tickets (those that wanted refunds).  Although many Chargers fans were at the game since Phoenix is only about a 4 or 5 hour drive from SD, if that.   

[MDS]

Yea, and on top of that, the game was free to attend in Zona.

[bobbyinlondon]

There's a followup story to that. On Profootballtalk.com, they've found out that there ISN'T ACTUALLY any fine print thast stipulates that. Benson has been trying to stiff the state for years, not to mention that right now, that SHOULD BE THE LAST THING ON HIS MIND.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

An exasperated Haslett, clearly operating on very little sleep, and only six days from the regular-season opener at Carolina, joked again about the possibility that the league will decide to have the Saints play all their "home" games at the sites of their opponents.

"We'll do whatever we have to do," Haslett said. "If that's what the NFL says we have to do, then we'll do it."

For the second day in a row, Haslett's cited the Saints' success on the road during his five-year tenure. New Orleans is 24-16 in road games since Haslett arrived in 2000, and just 18-22 at home in that period.

They might challenge for the division now that they're out of NO.

[MURP]

BENSON CAVES ON REFUNDS



Arnold Fielkow likely has saved the New Orleans Saints.  At least for now.



According to a statement made by Fielkow on Monday and published by The New Orleans Times-Picayune, Saints owner Tom Benson has abandoned his plan to refuse refunds to season-ticket holders, which as we reported on Monday afternoon was intended to provide the catalyst for a permanent move.



Both Louisiana state senator Mike Michot and WDSU-TV sports reporter Fletcher Mackel had attributed to Fielkow statements regarding Benson's intentions.  Fielkow told Michot that Benson wanted to move permanently to San Antonio.  Fielkow told Mackel of Benson's plan to use the denial of refunds to spark the final exit.



On Monday, in response to a growing storm of questions that Mackel's account raised, Fielkow released a statement addressing the situation. 



The statement, in its entirety, appears below:



-------------------------------------



"There have been several published reports regarding some statements attributed to me last week involving the Saints' move of its training base to San Antonio.  I would like to clarify these statements and provide some background to them.

"These statements were made last Friday with much personal frustration following an organizational meeting held earlier that day.  I participated in this meeting via conference call and left the meeting concerned that some wrong decisions may be made.  The last week has been a trying time for our community, including everyone within the Saints organization, as we watched the terrible catastrophe which had befallen a city which my family and I love very much.  I know how much the New Orleans Saints mean to our great city, state and region and it was important that right decisions be made in this time of crisis.

"During our meeting, I expressed a strong opinion that Saints home games, following the Giants game, should if logistically possible be played in Baton Rouge.  This position was based upon the fact that it would be an uplifting item for our fan base, similar in many ways to how the New York Yankees became a sense of pride for our whole country after 9/11.  We are working with the league and hope to announce shortly the location of our 2005 home games beginning in October.  We are reviewing all options in conjunction with the league and are hopeful of playing several games in Baton Rouge this season.  Further announcements on this subject will be forthcoming.

"It is the collective hope of our organization that Saints football will return to New Orleans as soon as possible and, as expressed by GM Mickey Loomis yesterday, that the Saints, both this year and in the future, can play a leading role in the rebuilding and revitalization of our community.  This hope is shared by everyone within the Saints organization, including ownership, players, coaches and staff.

"I was further concerned during our meeting that a question existed as to whether refunds would be provided to season ticket holders unable to attend games this season.  This matter has since been clarified and we will announce shortly our club's refund policy which will unequivocally provide our fans the ability to receive refunds if unable to attend games.

"The Saints will be playing this season for our great fans in New Orleans, the state of Louisiana and the entire Gulf South region. We hope the club's success will spread some joy to a fan base which has been devastated over the past week.

"These were the reference points for my statements last week.  We all look forward to the start of a successful season this Sunday as we have much work to do over the next several months.  We look forward to making 2005 a special season for all of our great fans."



-------------------------------------



In the statement, Fielkow at no point denies the statements attributed to him.  Instead, he implicitly acknowledges that he said what others say he said.



But the best part of the statement is that, as explained in the third paragraph from the bottom, Fielkow's concerns regarding the availability of refunds apparently have been resolved in favor of paying the money back to the folks who now need that money far more than does Benson or the team.



Though we won't rule out further irrationality when it comes to Benson, we respect Fielkow for risking his own status with the organization in order to keep it in New Orleans.  If Benson should try to force Fielkow out in the wake of his successful end run around Benson's "yes" men, the media and the fans need to be ready to protect Fielkow.



And if Fielkow ultimately leaves the organization, we suggest that the other 31 teams out there consider hiring him, on the spot.  If more people in more front offices cared as much about the community and the fans that the team serves as does Fielkow, the NFL would be more popular and beloved than every other sport or diversion combined.   

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Update:  4 games in San Antonio, 3 in Baton Rouge