Benson Boogies To San Antonio

Saints' owner Tom Benson
Originally uploaded by wonderbread74.

How despicable can someone be?

New Orleans Saints owner, Tom Benson, he of the infamous "Benson Boogie, is sending indications of relocating the perpetually beleaguered franchise to San Antonio indefinitely.

Is this not the time for this decimated community to pull together and wouldn't the arrival of a new football season and their beloved Saints help in some way?

Benson, who mugged for cameras during the Saints "good" years in the early 90's by dancing on the sideline with a parasol in hand, has had issue with the state over building the team a new stadium. State authorities have openly questioned this expenditure versus renovated the existing Superdome, which has merit since the NFL thought enough of the site to host the Super Bowl four years ago.

In one of the lowdown and dirty bits of profiteering the City Council of San Antonio is openly offering the Saints an incentive package that would, among other things, guarantee sellout for all possible home games at the Alamodome.

PSL holders and politicians in Oakland know that the guarantee of gate receipts is a dicey proposition, nonetheless San Antionio sounds cocky.

“We believe that easily can be done,” San Antonio City Councilman Chip Haass said.

This sort of jockeying for professional sports franchise is typical. Portland and Las Vegas have sought the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles has openly courted the Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings and also the Saints.

The difference is none of these communities was in the midst of total destruction.

Some officials are beginning to imagine death tolls near ten thousand, while other FEMA officials have described the city as "totally destroyed".

Benson, who also has ties in San Antonio and runs numerous Chevrolet dealerships should be reprimanded by the NFL for turning his back on the city and publicly excoriate San Antonio for preying on the homeless franchise.

On the other hand, maybe its good business. Maybe New Orleans is gone for good. Is it wise to rebuild a coastal city seven feet below sea level?

Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert said, "I don't know. That doesn't make sense to me."