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S.A.'s NFL Task Force downplays commissioner's UIW visit
Tom Orsborn - Express-News
A member of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce's NFL Task Force on Friday squashed speculation that a commitment by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to visit San Antonio next month represents a new push by the city to attract a team.
The chamber announced Friday that New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has arranged for Goodell to speak at the University of the Incarnate Word on Oct. 8 to help promote the school's new football program and give a presentation titled “The Future of the NFL.”
“San Antonio is pleased to host commissioner Goodell and to learn about his vision for the future and what that could mean for us,” chamber president Richard Perez said in a media release. “We'll use this as an opportunity to showcase the nation's seventh largest city.”
While he agreed with Perez that Goodell's visit gives city leaders a chance to familiarize the league with San Antonio, NFL Task Force member Charlie Amato said Goodell would mainly be in town to help promote UIW's football team as a favor to Benson.
The Saints owner helped bankroll UIW's football team, which is scheduled to begin play in 2009.
“I wouldn't read too much into this,” Amato said. “It's a favor to Tom. He wants (Goodell) to see the new football facility at Incarnate Word.
“But it is an opportunity for us to possibly showcase our city some and show him this is a sports town.”
When Hurricane Katrina forced the Saints to move their operations to San Antonio, then-NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue suggested the city wasn't big enough to support an NFL franchise.
The Saints played three games before sold-out crowds at the Alamodome in 2005 before returning to New Orleans after the season.
“We're going to be moving up in market size, not down or flat,” Tagliabue told the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Tagliabue's comments raised eyebrows at City Hall and prompted Mayor Phil Hardberger to take a few verbal swipes at Tagliabue.
Amato said Goodell, who became commissioner in 2006 after Tagliabue retired, would receive a “soft sales pitch” about how the city has changed since 2005.
“The demographics here are different,” Amato said. “It's a lot more positive.”
Said John Montford, another member of the NFL Task Force, “I don't know what the future holds, but I do think it's important we plant the seed that San Antonio (will) be a contender (for a team).
“If you don't get in the mix, you're going to get left out. None of us have a crystal ball, but it's good to be prepared for the future.”
Tom Orsborn - Express-News
A member of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce's NFL Task Force on Friday squashed speculation that a commitment by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to visit San Antonio next month represents a new push by the city to attract a team.
The chamber announced Friday that New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has arranged for Goodell to speak at the University of the Incarnate Word on Oct. 8 to help promote the school's new football program and give a presentation titled “The Future of the NFL.”
“San Antonio is pleased to host commissioner Goodell and to learn about his vision for the future and what that could mean for us,” chamber president Richard Perez said in a media release. “We'll use this as an opportunity to showcase the nation's seventh largest city.”
While he agreed with Perez that Goodell's visit gives city leaders a chance to familiarize the league with San Antonio, NFL Task Force member Charlie Amato said Goodell would mainly be in town to help promote UIW's football team as a favor to Benson.
The Saints owner helped bankroll UIW's football team, which is scheduled to begin play in 2009.
“I wouldn't read too much into this,” Amato said. “It's a favor to Tom. He wants (Goodell) to see the new football facility at Incarnate Word.
“But it is an opportunity for us to possibly showcase our city some and show him this is a sports town.”
When Hurricane Katrina forced the Saints to move their operations to San Antonio, then-NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue suggested the city wasn't big enough to support an NFL franchise.
The Saints played three games before sold-out crowds at the Alamodome in 2005 before returning to New Orleans after the season.
“We're going to be moving up in market size, not down or flat,” Tagliabue told the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Tagliabue's comments raised eyebrows at City Hall and prompted Mayor Phil Hardberger to take a few verbal swipes at Tagliabue.
Amato said Goodell, who became commissioner in 2006 after Tagliabue retired, would receive a “soft sales pitch” about how the city has changed since 2005.
“The demographics here are different,” Amato said. “It's a lot more positive.”
Said John Montford, another member of the NFL Task Force, “I don't know what the future holds, but I do think it's important we plant the seed that San Antonio (will) be a contender (for a team).
“If you don't get in the mix, you're going to get left out. None of us have a crystal ball, but it's good to be prepared for the future.”
