With this win, the New Orleans Saints made it to a remarkable first in their franchise history. They negotiated (and received) a new, long – 10 years! – lease from the state of Louisiana! This deal will keep the Saints in New Orleans for at least the year 2035. The existing lease actually runs until 2030. This new arrangement will be important for the team to return to their home long-term.
The announcement follows nearly seven months of negotiations between the Saints and state officials. The owner of the Saints, Gayle Benson, stated that she is pleased with the settlement. She spoke about how truly essential it is, not just for the team, but for the community, too.
“Discussions about this agreement have spanned two administrations, a global pandemic and Hurricane Ida,” – Gayle Benson
It is no wonder that the Superdome has been called the Saints’ home since it opened its doors on August 3, 1975. The venue recently completed a $450 million renovation. This restoration improved its amenities and reaffirmed its place as a top-tier destination to host high profile sporting events. The Superdome again confirmed its readiness for major events when it hosted Super Bowl LIX on February 9.
With this lease extension, Benson indicated that the team will seek NFL approval to bid on hosting future Super Bowls. She emphasized that as soon as the lease is finalized and approved by the NFL, they will move forward with this effort.
“Once the NFL approves this lease extension, we will then be allowed to petition the NFL to bid on future Super Bowls,” – Gayle Benson
Katherine Terrell, who covers the New Orleans Saints for ESPN, exclusively leaked details on the new lease. Terrell, a Baton Rouge native and LSU alumnus, has been an avid NFL fan since 2013. He sees this move as a positive step forward both for the players on the team and the fans who support them whole-heartedly.
In short, the Saints’ new lease settles the team’s future in New Orleans for the near term. It demonstrates the willingness of both the team and state officials to ensure the strongest possible partnership. As the NFL continues to explore the intricacies of this lease, fans and stakeholders throughout the region continue to look for assurance on this key deal’s validation.
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