Proposed Superdome Upgrades

Once again, the Superdome as a facility is a non-issue. There have been substantial upgrades since the last Superbowl already.

Cities with new stadiums now receive a Superbowl to entice voters to carry the tremendous debt for a new stadium. It is a carrot dangling over their head, nothing more. Houston, Detroit, Phoenix, Indy and Dallas didn't (won't) get Superbowls because they have better facilities; They get one because they agreed to absorb the cost of building a new facility. There are no facility requirements to host a Superbowl or Jacksonville, FL would have never seen one. Miami and San Diego have hosted Superbowls since the last New Orleans Superbowl with lesser facilities than the Superdome. Structurally the Superdome is sound and because of it's frequent use, will be maintained at a high level.

The issue with the Superdome is that Tom Benson doesn't have control over as much revenue as he would, should there be a new stadium. A new stadium would bring the opportunity to sell PSL's, more suites and more control over non-Saints events.

Again, the Superdome is a world-class facility. It will remain a world-class facility for well over a decade. If the new Dallas stadium is the gold standard, there will be 29 other teams in trouble for hosting a Superbowl as well. The Superdome isn't even the oldest facility in the NFL.

2012 will almost assuredly go to Indianapolis since New Orleans won't even bid for that one because of an early Mardi Gras that year. Our sights are set on 2013.