Report: Week 2 Saints-Giants game on Monday 9/19

[CD]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2152519

It will start out on ABC, then move over to ESPN when the real MNF game, Redskins-Cowboys, starts.

[bigJOE]

isn't this the one that's going to be a Saints homegame, but they're playing it at Giants stadium? how the hell is THAT fair?

home games are so important in the NFL. the saints won't have any true home games, obviously, but man......why pile on an already tough season for them by adding, basically, a 9th road game?

[ironman]

Seems like a weak decision to me.

Why not play it in Texas and let the displaced New Orleans folks come for free to watch a game?

[CSD]

Here is the latest from Pro Football Talk:

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

BENSON PLANNING TO STICK IT TO NEW ORLEANS



A week after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and numerous other Gulf Coast communities, we've heard from our old friend John Marie, host of the Sports Court on 990-AM in the Crescent City. Over the past year or so, we've done several radio spots with John Marie, who isn't afraid to call it like he sees it when it comes to the Saints and their history of mismanagement and general ineptitude.



John Marie, who lost his home in Katrina and its aftermath, has forwarded to us a message from Fletcher Mackel of WDSU-TV containing some shocking revelations regarding the plans of Saints owner Tom Benson.



WDSU, you might recall, reported on Sunday that the Saints do not intend to give refunds to season ticket holders. The report was brief and vague, without identifying the source or disclosing any details.



Now, all of that has changed.



Mackel says that he has spoken directly with Saints executive Arnold Fielkow, who has outlined in detail owner Tom Benson's plan for profiting from the demise of New Orleans.



It was Fielkow, by the way, who recently told Louisiana state senator Mike Michot that Benson wants to move permanently to San Antonio. The media generally ignored the story.



Per Mackel through John Marie, Fielkow (who based on the following likely will soon be a former employee of the organization) says that Benson is hoping to anger the citizens and the Louisiana Legislature by refusing to issue refunds to season-ticket holders.



Writes Mackel: "[Fielkow] said Tom Benson WANTS to upset season ticket holders and the Louisiana Legislature! He wants to play this season in San Antonio, forcing the state to tell him that since he turned his back on the community in a time of need they won't make any more payments to him.



"If the state fails to make their payment next summer Louisiana is in breech [sic] of contract and Benson can move the team without making a penalty payment. He would then shop the team to the highest bidding city. San Antonio, L.A., even New Orleans with a better deal in place. He's simply going to use this tragedy get a better deal and perhaps [a] new stadium from some city."



The decision not to pay refunds, per Mackel, will be announced within the next 24-to-48 hours. Apparently, fine-print language in the tickets permits the team to deny refunds based on natural disasters.



Fielkow told Mackel that Benson simply does not care if this plan makes him the most hated man in the history of the city.



Mackel and John Marie both say that Fielkow is a good man, and that he is "passionate" and "upset" regarding Benson's intentions. Per Mackel, Fielkow has urged Benson to play this year's home games in Baton Rouge, so that the season-ticket holders may attend. Fielkow also told Mackel that insurance money for the Superdome along with possible federal finances could enable New Orleans to build a new or refurbished stadium that would also serve as a better place of evacuation when the next Category 5 storm prepares to make landfall.



Mackel says that he also has spoken with Saints running back Deuce McAllister, who said that "a bad decision" was about to be made by the organization. McAllister said he hopes the team can play in Baton Rouge and remain in New Orleans. Asked whether the Saints have played their last game in New Orleans, McAllister told Mackel: "I just don't know, nothing would surprise me."



These folks, starting with Fielkow, are getting the word out because, apparently, there's still time to change Benson's mind. John Marie and Fletcher Mackel are hoping that as many journalists, politicians, and fans as possible learn of Benson's plan and sound off in a loud, clear voice that his efforts to profit at the city's most dire time of crisis will not succeed.



We plan to do everything we can to spread the word on this. As to anyone out there who's in a position of influence of any kind, we hope that you do the same.

[Neutered Cat]

Originally posted by CSD@Sep 5 2005, 03:27 PM
Here is the latest from Pro Football Talk:

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

BENSON PLANNING TO STICK IT TO NEW ORLEANS



A week after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and numerous other Gulf Coast communities, we've heard from our old friend John Marie, host of the Sports Court on 990-AM in the Crescent City.  Over the past year or so, we've done several radio spots with John Marie, who isn't afraid to call it like he sees it when it comes to the Saints and their history of mismanagement and general ineptitude.



John Marie, who lost his home in Katrina and its aftermath, has forwarded to us a message from Fletcher Mackel of WDSU-TV containing some shocking revelations regarding the plans of Saints owner Tom Benson.



WDSU, you might recall, reported on Sunday that the Saints do not intend to give refunds to season ticket holders.  The report was brief and vague, without identifying the source or disclosing any details.



Now, all of that has changed.



Mackel says that he has spoken directly with Saints executive Arnold Fielkow, who has outlined in detail owner Tom Benson's plan for profiting from the demise of New Orleans.



It was Fielkow, by the way, who recently told Louisiana state senator Mike Michot that Benson wants to move permanently to San Antonio.  The media generally ignored the story.



Per Mackel through John Marie, Fielkow (who based on the following likely will soon be a former employee of the organization) says that Benson is hoping to anger the citizens and the Louisiana Legislature by refusing to issue refunds to season-ticket holders.



Writes Mackel:  "[Fielkow] said Tom Benson WANTS to upset season ticket holders and the Louisiana Legislature!  He wants to play this season in San Antonio, forcing the state to tell him that since he turned his back on the community in a time of need they won't make any more payments to him. 



"If the state fails to make their payment next summer Louisiana is in breech [sic] of contract and Benson can move the team without making a penalty payment.  He would then shop the team to the highest bidding city.  San Antonio, L.A., even New Orleans with a better deal in place.  He's simply going to use this tragedy get a better deal and perhaps [a] new stadium from some city."



The decision not to pay refunds, per Mackel, will be announced within the next 24-to-48 hours.  Apparently, fine-print language in the tickets permits the team to deny refunds based on natural disasters. 



Fielkow told Mackel that Benson simply does not care if this plan makes him the most hated man in the history of the city.



Mackel and John Marie both say that Fielkow is a good man, and that he is "passionate" and "upset" regarding Benson's intentions.  Per Mackel, Fielkow has urged Benson to play this year's home games in Baton Rouge, so that the season-ticket holders may attend.  Fielkow also told Mackel that insurance money for the Superdome along with possible federal finances could enable New Orleans to build a new or refurbished stadium that would also serve as a better place of evacuation when the next Category 5 storm prepares to make landfall.



Mackel says that he also has spoken with Saints running back Deuce McAllister, who said that "a bad decision" was about to be made by the organization.  McAllister said he hopes the team can play in Baton Rouge and remain in New Orleans.  Asked whether the Saints have played their last game in New Orleans, McAllister told Mackel:  "I just don't know, nothing would surprise me."



These folks, starting with Fielkow, are getting the word out because, apparently, there's still time to change Benson's mind.  John Marie and Fletcher Mackel are hoping that as many journalists, politicians, and fans as possible learn of Benson's plan and sound off in a loud, clear voice that his efforts to profit at the city's most dire time of crisis will not succeed.



We plan to do everything we can to spread the word on this.  As to anyone out there who's in a position of influence of any kind, we hope that you do the same.

Quoted post

thats terrible. What an insensative prick.

[MsFunkay]

bigJOE, they talked to some saints players and the coach the other day on TV and they said at first they didn't think it was fair either, but then they realized a lot of people are going through unfair things right now and they said that they will work as hard as they can fair or not...and yes, i'm basically paraphrasing.