Saints Fans Fight For Seats

by Jeremiah Tittle

In what could be SFC’s new favorite website, The Missing 1200 – which, despite popular belief, is not the title for the sequel to the film 300 - has taken up the charge of those 1,200 Superdome season ticket-holders who lost their seats for the entirety of the 2010 season as the team constructs additional luxury boxes.

SFC contributor Ross McDaniel reported on the move by the team which exposes a growing trend in the National Football League and the greater sports industrial complex.  That is, owners will stop at nothing to make a buck.  Even if it means disenfranchising their own fleur-de-lis-tattooed faithful.

The practice of eminent domain is all too common among sports franchise owners, but Tom Benson has taken it to a new level in New Orleans.  This time it’s personal. Literally. While the Saints do not charge for Personal Seat Licenses, each member of the ‘Missing 1200′ has already suffered the waiting list, and now they’re essentially back on it.

Adding insult to injury, Benson and the Saints have totally pillaged Louisiana for the $85 million they’re using to ’refurbish’ the stadium. Once the construction is complete, an additional 3,100 plaza seats, 16 new luxury boxes, premium clubs, and a multitude of concession stands will boost Benson’s bottom line.

Furthermore, the deal struck last year keeping the Saints in town through 2025 greased the wheels for the team to buy a large piece of land on the cheap which they are now ”leasing…back to the city at higher-than-average rates”. Sounds like a typical bait and switch.

While Sports Fans Coalition stands strong providing sports fans ‘a seat at the table’ when important decisions are being made, it is the physical seats at stake in New Orleans. SFC applauds The Missing 1200 for their bold battle to take their seats back.

Spartans! Take up your arms!

Jeremiah Tittle is the Managing Editor of SportsFansCoalition.org.