Time to step up Shreveport
It was a most unusual news conference -- New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson rambling about being Louisiana's Saints and beating the "hell out of the Dallas Cowboys'' in a meaningless preseason game in Shreveport on Aug. 21.
Yes, it was unusual for those reasons. But it was also unusual in that another big-time sporting entity - the National Football League - is willing to take its turn at solving the Shreveport market.
Remember this is the market that failed to sell out a Miami Hurricanes football game against Louisiana Tech in the same stadium in 2003. It's the same market that failed to sell out a San Antonio Spurs preseason game against the New Orleans Hornets at the CenturyTel Center last October.
So good luck to the Saints trying to sell 48,000-plus tickets.
I can hear the Shreveport excuses for not going -- it's hot, the ticket prices are too high, it's only a preseason game, I can watch it on TV, blah, blah, blah, blah.
This is one time Shreveport needs to shed its fickle image if it ever wants big-time sports back. Plus, this is one time Saints fans need to back their team and make the NFL's gamble on the Saints, the state and the region worthwhile.
It's up to you Shreveport.
Yes, it was unusual for those reasons. But it was also unusual in that another big-time sporting entity - the National Football League - is willing to take its turn at solving the Shreveport market.
Remember this is the market that failed to sell out a Miami Hurricanes football game against Louisiana Tech in the same stadium in 2003. It's the same market that failed to sell out a San Antonio Spurs preseason game against the New Orleans Hornets at the CenturyTel Center last October.
So good luck to the Saints trying to sell 48,000-plus tickets.
I can hear the Shreveport excuses for not going -- it's hot, the ticket prices are too high, it's only a preseason game, I can watch it on TV, blah, blah, blah, blah.
This is one time Shreveport needs to shed its fickle image if it ever wants big-time sports back. Plus, this is one time Saints fans need to back their team and make the NFL's gamble on the Saints, the state and the region worthwhile.
It's up to you Shreveport.
posted by Scott Ferrell at 1:31 AM
2 Comments:
Here, here, Scott. And no this is not an attempt at kowtowing to my boss.
But Scott hits this right on the head. I've always been amazed at the lack of support for minor league teams here in town (How the Captains folded is beyond me.)
The Saints-Cowboys game is the perfect opportunity for the community to show its support and shed the small-town Mayberry complex.
The respectable crowd for the NBA preseason game between the Hornets and Spurs in October encourages me.
If this game is not a sellout, I will be stunned.
Monday Night Football is coming to town. The nation will be watching. Don't screw it up Shreveport.
Game is a easy sell out, I'm not worried. Now if the Saints were facing the...Arizona Cardnals, I would worry.
I say that Shreveport is a Saints city, I guess that we will see who is in the stands. Maybe KMSS will take notice...
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