Saints Staying In N'Awlins Through 2025

((HT: New Orleans Times-Picayune))

Gov. Bobby Jindal and New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson ((pictured with Rita Benson LeBlanc,thanks Ted Jackson/NO Times-Picayune)) made it official at a 10:15 a.m. press conference: the state of Louisiana and the Saints have agreed to a deal that will keep the team playing in the Louisiana Superdome through 2025.

"Today is a great day for Louisiana," Jindal said. "After many months of hard work, we've reached an agreement with the Saints that benefits taxpayers and benefits the citizens of Louisiana."

Jindal said that a recent university study concluded that over the life of the extension, this deal would generate more than $400 million for the city and state.

"This is a great deal not only for New Orleans, but for the state Louisiana," Jindal said. "This is a terrific investment for the state."

A key component of the deal is that Benson will purchase the New Orleans Center and the Dominion Tower, located next to the Dome, and lease that space. The Center will be turned into a sports and entertainment area.

"What's great about this agreement is that it helps a significant part of downtown recover," Jindal said.

As part of the deal, the state would put $85 million into continuing renovations into the Superdome, which will add seating and suites and continue to modernize the 34-year old building.

When completed, there will be more than 70,000 seats and will add 16 new suites. New Orleans is hoping the additions will help it land the Super Bowl in 2013.

With the dome improvements and the sale of the New Orleans Center, the Benson family and the Saints will be responsible for generating revenue and the state's responsibility diminishes.

"This puts more of a burden on the Saints, but that's OK," Benson said. "We're not just talking, we're investing and I encourage others out there to do that, too."

Here's a big picture graphic of the plan as it stands...
Nakia Hogan and Kate Moran have even more details...
Val Bracy's coverage from Fox 8 is in black here...
Here's a copy of the press release sent out to the masses...
But it may be a tough sell to some Louisiana lawmakers...
Our friends at WVUE/Fox 8 pursue the idea...