Posted on 09/03/2005 12:11:21 AM PDT by Uncle Joe Cannon
Saints playing at Giants
NEW YORK (AP) - The New Orleans Saints, driven from the Superdome by Hurricane Katrina, will play their home opener against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium.
It is not clear, however, when the game will be played.
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said Friday the game, scheduled for Sept. 18 is being moved to the Giants' home in East Rutherford, N.J.
The New York Jets, who share the stadium with the Giants, are scheduled to play at home against Miami on Sept. 18. As a result, the Giants-Saints game most likely will be played Saturday, Sept. 17, or the following Monday.
The league said it also was possible the game could be played as part of a doubleheader Sunday, with the one game at 12 p.m. and the other at night. The Jets are now scheduled to start at 3:15 p.m.
"We are in the process of working out the specific arrangements, including the day and kickoff time and plans for television coverage," Tagliabue said. He added that information on tickets will be announced in a few days by the Giants.
He said the Saints and Giants had agreed to donate part of the gate receipts from the game to the relief fund.
"We think the league's decision to move our game with the Saints to Giants Stadium will allow us an even greater opportunity to contribute," Giants Chief Operating Officer John Mara said.
The Saints, who spent the past week on the West Coast, are moving their headquarters to San Antonio for the immediate future. The Alamodome in San Antonio, which holds 65,000, had been considered a strong possibility for the game.
Tagliabue indicated, however, it was best to get the game out of the area struck by Hurricane Katrina.
Tagliabue said he made the decision to move the game to the Giants' home stadium after consulting with Saints owner Tom Benson and other officials.
"There are many reasons for this decision," Tagliabue said, "including recognizing that the overwhelming priority for public and private resources in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region in the weeks ahead must be the essential needs of the public and restoration of the area's infrastructure."
The Saints will open at Carolina on Sept. 11 before playing the Giants.
"Our main concern is with the people of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region who have experienced the recent tragedy," Benson said. "We are attempting to carry on in these difficult times and are looking out for the best interest of our coaches, staff, players and their families. My prayers are with each of those who have been adversely impacted."
Probably the biggest reason is they figure there is a better chance of selling tickets for this game @ Giants Stadium. The Saints could well end up playing all of their "home" games at the opposing team's stadium.
Based on what I hear, they will be lucky to ever play in the Superdome again......
do you have link to story?
Will season ticket holders be honored at the new "away" home games?
They need a solution like that at the Augean stables. Just flush that whole puppy out with the Mississippi river.
Based on what I hear, they will be lucky to ever play in the Superdome again
this tragedy could be a blessing for the saints. they have been working with the State to build a billion plus dlr stadium. they have talked about moving the saints to san antonio for some time. tom bensons family has been there for some time. it is his daughter who wants to keep them in new orleans.
we lost the jazz i hope we do not lose the saints.
Mep. This might prove to be a morale buster to the Saints...then again, the NO tragedy might be a big motivator. Who knows?
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