SAN ANTONIO (AP) – The New Orleans Saints, left searching for a host site after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Superdome roof, announced plans Monday to split seven home games this season between Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., and the Alamodome in San Antonio.
The Saints will play four games on the LSU campus and three in San Antonio, where they have been holding practice since fleeing New Orleans. They will go ahead with plans to play their first home game, originally scheduled for Sunday night at the Superdome against the Giants, on Monday night in New York.
While specific days and start times for the remaining home games were yet to be determined, the Saints said they will play in Baton Rouge the weekends of Oct. 30-31; Nov. 6-7; Dec. 4-5; and Dec. 17-19. The San Antonio games will be on the weekends of Oct. 2-3; Oct. 16-17; and Dec. 24-26.
“I think the time frame gives our fans time to get tickets or do whatever they have to do to get to the stadium,” coach Jim Haslett said.
The four home games in Baton Rouge will be against Miami, Chicago, Tampa Bay and Carolina. The San Antonio games will be against Buffalo, Atlanta and Detroit.
Haslett initially said he wanted to play as many games in Louisiana as possible. But after spending last week getting settled into their new routine in San Antonio, he began hoping for more games to be at the Alamodome.
“It would have been nice to play here,” he said. “It’s more of a travel issue. I know what their agenda was, to play as many games as possible in our home state. Our players like that, too.”
No decision was made on the site of potential Saints home playoff games. New Orleans won its season opener 23-20 at Carolina on Sunday.
Agreement on the schedule was reached after a meeting Monday in Baton Rouge involving Saints owner Tom Benson, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, LSU chancellor Sean O’Keefe and other school officials.
Tagliabue said those in attendance quickly reached a consensus on two priorities: to serve the needs of the region, and make a schedule that works for the Saints.
“We also appreciate the cooperation of the Alamodome officials and the hospitality of the people of San Antonio for their support of the Saints at this difficult time,” Tagliabue said.
Benson scheduled a news conference for later Monday.
Saints season-ticket holders and anyone who had purchased tickets for the Giants-Saints game at the Superdome were given first call for tickets to the relocated game. After that, however, Giants season-ticket holders were given priority, meaning it will be a true road game for the Saints.
The manager of the Superdome has said it will take months before the building’s future can be determined. It’s possible the stadium will be torn down, leaving the Saints to find a new home.
During Hurricane Katrina, with thousands inside seeking refuge, three large holes were blown through the roof. In all, about 70 percent of the roof failed and water and debris poured into the building during the storm.
-Associated Press
