Benson sucks

This is off a web site that wanted the story widley distributed. As a Saints season ticket holder, and a long time fan. I think we all need to put pressure on Benson.


BENSON PLANNING TO STICK IT TO NEW ORLEANS
A week after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and numerous other Gulf
Coast communities, we've heard from our old friend John Marie, host of the
Sports Court on 990-AM in the Crescent City. Over the past year or so,
we've done several radio spots with John Marie, who isn't afraid to call it
like he sees it when it comes to the Saints and their history of
mismanagement and general ineptitude.
John Marie, who lost his home in Katrina and its aftermath, has forwarded to
us a message from Fletcher Mackel of WDSU-TV containing some shocking
revelations regarding the plans of Saints owner Tom Benson.
WDSU, you might recall, reported on Sunday that the Saints do not intend to
give refunds to season ticket holders. The report was brief and vague,
without identifying the source or disclosing any details.
Now, all of that has changed.
Mackel says that he has spoken directly with Saints executive Arnold
Fielkow, who has outlined in detail owner Tom Benson's plan for profiting
from the demise of New Orleans.
It was Fielkow, by the way, who recently told Louisiana state senator Mike
Michot that Benson wants to move permanently to San Antonio. The media
generally ignored the story.



Per Mackel through John Marie, Fielkow (who based on the following likely
will soon be a former employee of the organization) says that Benson is
hoping to anger the citizens and the Louisiana Legislature by refusing to
issue refunds to season-ticket holders.



Writes Mackel: "[Fielkow] said Tom Benson WANTS to upset season ticket
holders and the Louisiana Legislature! He wants to play this season in San
Antonio, forcing the state to tell him that since he turned his back on the
community in a time of need they won't make any more payments to him.



"If the state fails to make their payment next summer Louisiana is in breech
[sic] of contract and Benson can move the team without making a penalty
payment. He would then shop the team to the highest bidding city. San
Antonio, L.A., even New Orleans with a better deal in place. He's simply
going to use this tragedy get a better deal and perhaps [a] new stadium from
some city."
The decision not to pay refunds, per Mackel, will be announced within the
next 24-to-48 hours. Apparently, fine-print language in the tickets permits
the team to deny refunds based on natural disasters.
Fielkow told Mackel that Benson simply does not care if this plan makes him
the most hated man in the history of the city.



Mackel and John Marie both say that Fielkow is a good man, and that he is
"passionate" and "upset" regarding Benson's intentions. Per Mackel, Fielkow
has urged Benson to play this year's home games in Baton Rouge, so that the
season-ticket holders may attend. Fielkow also told Mackel that insurance
money for the Superdome along with possible federal finances could enable
New Orleans to build a new or refurbished stadium that would also serve as a
better place of evacuation when the next Category 5 storm prepares to make
landfall.
Mackel says that he also has spoken with Saints running back Deuce
McAllister, who said that "a bad decision" was about to be made by the
organization. McAllister said he hopes the team can play in Baton Rouge
and remain in New Orleans. Asked whether the Saints have played their last
game in New Orleans, McAllister told Mackel: "I just don't know, nothing
wold surprise me."
These folks, starting with Fielkow, are getting the word out because,
apparently, there's still time to change Benson's mind. John Marie and
Fletcher Mackel are hoping that as many journalists, politicians, and fans
as possible learn of Benson's plan and sound off in a loud, clear voice that
his efforts to profit at the city's most dire time of crisis will not
succeed.
We plan to do everything we can to spread the word on this. As to anyone
out there who's in a position of influence of any kind, we hope that you do
the same.