Louisiana Gov. Working On Deal To Secure Saints Future In N.O.

LSED Looking To Bid To Host Super Bowl XLVII In 2013

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration and the Saints are "working under a two-month deadline to reach an agreement on the NFL franchise's future" in the state, according to Michelle Millhollon of the Baton Rouge ADVOCATE. Jindal said that there is "time to ensure that the team continues to play in the Superdome past 2010." However, some Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District (LSED) officials said that they "want a deal in place to make New Orleans more attractive as a possible host" of Super Bowl XLVII in '13. Draft bids for that event have to be submitted by prospective hosts to the NFL by April 1, and a site is "expected to be chosen at the NFL owners' meeting in May." LSED Board of Commissioners Chair Ron Forman: "It's our goal to have something done prior to that meeting." Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation VP Sam Joffray said that to "have a strong bid, there needs to be a level of confidence that the Saints will be in Louisiana past 2010." The Saints under their current lease are receiving $23.5M a year in "cash inducements from the state." But the state is "struggling to meet the annual payments to the franchise." The "largest problem is that hotel and motel tax collections are falling short." The state also is "grappling with a budget shortfall of more than $1[B] for the fiscal year that begins July 1" (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 2/3).