New Orleans Saints and State at Odds Over Superdome Lease

Negotiations between the New Orleans Saints and the state of Louisiana for a new Superdome lease have hit a standstill. The primary reason for the delay, as reported by NOLA.com and The Times-Picayune reporter Jeff Duncan, is a disagreement over related properties, including Benson Tower and Champions Square.

The central issue, according to Duncan, is a fundamental difference in how the two parties view the deals. "The hang-up right now is that the Saints are wanting to couple their lease agreement at Benson Tower with the Superdome lease agreement," Duncan explained. "And the state, frankly, does not want to do that. They feel like they're separate deals. So it's almost a philosophical disagreement."

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The Benson Tower Controversy

The state's lease of office space in Benson Tower since 2010 is at the heart of the conflict. The Saints have been leasing the space to state agencies for $32.50 per square foot, significantly higher than the New Orleans average of $20.67 per square foot. This arrangement has been viewed by some, including Duncan, as a form of financial support from the state to the Saints.

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"And everyone agrees, I think, that Louisiana and New Orleans needs to support the Saints with some level of taxpayer support, right?" Duncan asked, questioning the appropriate amount of that support. The current lease is set to expire in 2030, putting pressure on both sides to reach a new agreement.

A Standoff Between "Goliaths"

Despite the heated negotiations, Duncan doesn't foresee the Saints relocating to another city. However, he warns that neither side seems willing to back down. "You have two goliaths in the octagon that aren't used to losing," he said. "And one of them is going to have to blink here, and I don't know who it's going to be."