Saints will bide time -- if Superdome is upgraded

[The_Philster]

Renovated request
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The New Orleans Saints are willing to back off on their request for a new stadium, saying they could stay in the Superdome, if it is upgraded, until 2020.

The need for a new stadium hasn't gone away, team officials said, but they're willing to give the state time to raise money for that project, which would cost an estimated $450 million in today's dollars.

Saints officials met with officials of Gov. Mike Foster's administration Wednesday in Baton Rouge to discuss a new plan that reportedly includes renovations to the dome, a proposed outdoor entertainment district near it for tailgating fans and a pledge that the team will lobby the National Football League to award two more Super Bowls to New Orleans....
more (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2003/07/16/saints_stadium_ap/)

[The_Philster]

New proposal would include outdoor entertainment district
New Orleans Saints executives will meet with state officials today in Baton Rouge to discuss a proposal that would delay the team's request for a new stadium in favor of a moderate upgrade to the Superdome aimed at increasing club revenue in the interim, said sources close to the negotiations.

Saints officials tout the plan, which pushes back to 2020 the team's request for a new stadium, as a way to keep the team in Louisiana while extending the life of the Superdome, the sources said. Saints officials see a new stadium as ultimately necessary, but the plan is designed to give the state time to raise money for a project that would cost an estimated $450 million in today's dollars....
more (http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1058338629109580.xml)