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Shortly after the Sales Contract was executed, Benson began
lobbying the State Legislature to promote approval of the
proposed lease inducements. The Mecom group also engaged a
lobbyist for this purpose. Both parties were aware that Benson
would be unable to acquire the Saints without first obtaining
public sector support. Accordingly, both resolved to persuade
the Legislature to approve the conditions set forth in the Sales
Contract. Despite this collaborative effort, a resolution was
introduced in the Louisiana House of Representatives on May 16,
1985, to impose a dollar limit on the total lease inducements to
be provided by the State in the form of revenue derived from
concessions, box suites, and parking. A similar resolution was
introduced in the Louisiana Senate on May 22, 1985. Governor
Edwards actively opposed both resolutions, and both were
subsequently defeated.
Dissatisfied with the progress of negotiations and in light
of the recent legislative resolutions imposing a limit on total
lease inducements, Benson's representatives, in cooperation with
the Mecom Group, subsequently prepared a memorandum entitled "The
Saints Legislative Program" and presented it to the State
Legislature. Among other things, the document stressed that the
pending expiration of the 1975 Lease effected a substantial
increase in the fair market value of the team due to the team's
ability to relocate to another State. These efforts proved
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