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Web Posted: 01/13/2006 12:06 AM CST
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
Mayor Phil Hardberger said Thursday that he sees no prospect of New Orleans Saints games being played in the Alamodome this fall but added he "would not be surprised" if another NFL franchise — possibly the San Diego Chargers — inquires about relocating to San Antonio.
"I think the fact that we were able to fill the stadium and get corporate sponsors was noticed by a lot of people," said Hardberger, referring to the city's support for the three Saints games the Alamodome hosted this season. "It's been well documented the Chargers are not overly satisfied with their situation, so it's really a matter of cognitive intuition that, well, we've got something (the Alamodome), and we want a team, and the Chargers aren't too happy (in San Diego). That's where my thinking is."
Hardberger's comments came one day after NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Saints owner Tom Benson made a long-term commitment to Louisiana that includes the team playing a full schedule at the Louisiana Superdome next season.
The announcement ended speculation the Saints would play a game or two in San Antonio, a notion Tagliabue fueled during a visit here Dec.30 by declining to rule out the possibility.
"I'm actually kind of glad to get some definition on that because we are holding off on some events and usage of the Alamodome," Hardberger said. "I'm willing to accept there won't be any professional football there in 2006, so let's go ahead and rent it out to everyone else."
Still, Hardberger said he has not given up on the Saints relocating to San Antonio permanently. The Saints are contractually bound to play in Louisiana through the 2010 season, but an out clause in the recently amended agreement between the state of Louisiana and the Saints allows the team to leave after next season.
Hurricane Katrina forced the Saints to spend four months in San Antonio. During that period, Benson flirted with relocation.
"Many things will change between now and the end of 2006," Hardberger said. "I'm not speaking for Benson, but I am still hopeful."
Hardberger is also hopeful another NFL franchise will come calling soon.
San Diego's fiscal and political uncertainty has prevented the Chargers from finding development partners for a new stadium and an adjacent residential and commercial project, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
As a result, the team says it cannot meet a Feb.8 deadline to put a measure seeking approval for the stadium complex on the city's November ballot.
"I have followed those events with interest, but there has been no contact" between city officials and the Chargers, Hardberger said. "But that's as of today. It wouldn't surprise me if there weren't some conversation in 2006 with the Chargers."
If that is the case, the talks would need to be held secretly. Under terms of their lease agreement with the city of San Diego, the Chargers cannot explore relocation until Jan.1, 2007 and would be not be able to leave San Diego until after the 2008 season.
But city leaders are confident the Chargers are already exploring San Antonio as a relocation option, especially after the Saints averaged 62,666 fans for their Alamodome schedule.
"We have shown the entire nation this city has the financial wherewithal, the fan base and the excitement to sustain a team," City Councilman Richard Perez said.
Chargers spokesman Mark Fabiani could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, the Alamodome is free to fill its fall schedule. Until this week, Alamodome director Mike Abington had been holding dates for the Saints. But with the Saints committed to New Orleans, Abington said he hopes to attract more international soccer matches and renew relationships with school districts eager to play football games on the Alamodome's state-of-the-art turf.
"I think Mike Abington and his staff have done a good job finding tenants," Hardberger said. "The Alamodome is used more than people realize. But they were hindered a little bit by the flirtation with the Saints because we tried to keep it open as much as we could. From a financial standpoint, we will probably make more money not having (the Saints) here."
The Saints paid the city a little more than $1.4million for the three games, Abington said.
"We have been fully paid by the Saints for all expenses and rent," Abington said. "We didn't make any money per se, but we certainly didn't lose any. In that regard, our community won."
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
Mayor Phil Hardberger said Thursday that he sees no prospect of New Orleans Saints games being played in the Alamodome this fall but added he "would not be surprised" if another NFL franchise — possibly the San Diego Chargers — inquires about relocating to San Antonio.
"I think the fact that we were able to fill the stadium and get corporate sponsors was noticed by a lot of people," said Hardberger, referring to the city's support for the three Saints games the Alamodome hosted this season. "It's been well documented the Chargers are not overly satisfied with their situation, so it's really a matter of cognitive intuition that, well, we've got something (the Alamodome), and we want a team, and the Chargers aren't too happy (in San Diego). That's where my thinking is."
Hardberger's comments came one day after NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Saints owner Tom Benson made a long-term commitment to Louisiana that includes the team playing a full schedule at the Louisiana Superdome next season.
The announcement ended speculation the Saints would play a game or two in San Antonio, a notion Tagliabue fueled during a visit here Dec.30 by declining to rule out the possibility.
"I'm actually kind of glad to get some definition on that because we are holding off on some events and usage of the Alamodome," Hardberger said. "I'm willing to accept there won't be any professional football there in 2006, so let's go ahead and rent it out to everyone else."
Still, Hardberger said he has not given up on the Saints relocating to San Antonio permanently. The Saints are contractually bound to play in Louisiana through the 2010 season, but an out clause in the recently amended agreement between the state of Louisiana and the Saints allows the team to leave after next season.
Hurricane Katrina forced the Saints to spend four months in San Antonio. During that period, Benson flirted with relocation.
"Many things will change between now and the end of 2006," Hardberger said. "I'm not speaking for Benson, but I am still hopeful."
Hardberger is also hopeful another NFL franchise will come calling soon.
San Diego's fiscal and political uncertainty has prevented the Chargers from finding development partners for a new stadium and an adjacent residential and commercial project, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
As a result, the team says it cannot meet a Feb.8 deadline to put a measure seeking approval for the stadium complex on the city's November ballot.
"I have followed those events with interest, but there has been no contact" between city officials and the Chargers, Hardberger said. "But that's as of today. It wouldn't surprise me if there weren't some conversation in 2006 with the Chargers."
If that is the case, the talks would need to be held secretly. Under terms of their lease agreement with the city of San Diego, the Chargers cannot explore relocation until Jan.1, 2007 and would be not be able to leave San Diego until after the 2008 season.
But city leaders are confident the Chargers are already exploring San Antonio as a relocation option, especially after the Saints averaged 62,666 fans for their Alamodome schedule.
"We have shown the entire nation this city has the financial wherewithal, the fan base and the excitement to sustain a team," City Councilman Richard Perez said.
Chargers spokesman Mark Fabiani could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, the Alamodome is free to fill its fall schedule. Until this week, Alamodome director Mike Abington had been holding dates for the Saints. But with the Saints committed to New Orleans, Abington said he hopes to attract more international soccer matches and renew relationships with school districts eager to play football games on the Alamodome's state-of-the-art turf.
"I think Mike Abington and his staff have done a good job finding tenants," Hardberger said. "The Alamodome is used more than people realize. But they were hindered a little bit by the flirtation with the Saints because we tried to keep it open as much as we could. From a financial standpoint, we will probably make more money not having (the Saints) here."
The Saints paid the city a little more than $1.4million for the three games, Abington said.
"We have been fully paid by the Saints for all expenses and rent," Abington said. "We didn't make any money per se, but we certainly didn't lose any. In that regard, our community won."
