NOLA.com reports that the Superdome lease negotiations have stalled because of pending deals regarding related properties such as Benson Tower, Champions Square and the Saints practice facility. Times-Picayune reporter Jeff Duncan says that state and the Saints are in the midst of a major disagreement.
“The hang-up right now is that the Saints are wanting to couple their lease agreement at Benson Tower with the Superdome lease agreement. And the state, frankly, does not want to do that. They feel like they’re separate deals. So it’s almost a philosophical disagreement,” Duncan said.
As part of the current lease agreement, the state has rented office space in Benson Tower since 2010. The Saints have been leasing the spaces to state agencies at $32.50 per square foot compared to the New Orleans average of $20.67 per square foot. Duncan says the agreement is a way to for the state to financially support the Saints.
“And everyone agrees, I think, that Louisiana and New Orleans needs to support the Saints with some level of taxpayer support, right? Because of the demographics in our state and our city, what level is that support?” Duncan asked.
The current lease agreement ends in 2030. Duncan says he doesn’t see a world where the Saints relocate to another city, but he says neither side is planning to back down.
“You have two goliaths in the octagon that aren’t used to losing. And one of them is going to have to blink here, and I don’t know who it’s going to be,” Duncan said.
