A heavy hitter in the New Orleans sports scene is leaving his post. Doug Thornton, who has managed the Caesars Superdome since 1997, is leaving his job on September 4th. The Dome hosted its first Saints game in 1975; and to this day, it still hosts Super Bowls, major college football games and other big events.
“Being able to sort of reconfigure the architectural design inside the 2,000,000 square feet, I think, is what has allowed this building to succeed,” Thornton noted.
Thornton oversaw the massive renovation of the Dome following Hurricane Katrina. Another four-year, $560 million renovation was completed in 2024.
The Superdome is set to host a college football semifinal game in January and a CFP National Championship game in 2028. Thornton has played a critical role in New Orleans hosting big sporting events.
“Work on nine Super bowls, six Final Fours; not just here, but around the country; be associated with many, many big events, many big live music events,” Thornton said.
Thornton says one of his biggest career highlights is the reopening of the Superdome in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. That includes the 2007 Essence Festival, the first major music concert in the Dome post-Katrina.
Thornton also played a role in bringing an NBA franchise to New Orleans in 2002. His job with Legends Global also had him involved in the largest stadium project in the world, the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.
Thornton says he’s not retiring and plans to remain active in New Orleans, but he says he’s thoroughly enjoyed his time as the so-called father of the Louisiana Superdome.
“It’s just been very rewarding. The people I’ve met along the way, the friendships that I’ve developed and the relationships that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Thornton said.
Thornton was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 for spearheading the rebuilding and reopening of the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina.