Tag: Fans

Saints say logistics, not NFL rules, are a hurdle for inviting fans to training camp

Saints team president Dennis Lauscha said that onsite logistics at UC-Irvine, not NFL rules, are a bigger hurdle for inviting fans to their 2024 training camp:

The New Orleans Saints didn’t make a popular decision in moving their 2024 training camp to California, with operations traveling from Metairie to Irvine for weeks of practices this summer. And a report that NFL rules may prohibit the team from inviting fans to camp wasn’t welcomed warmly.

But Saints team president Dennis Lauscha explained that onsite logistics, not NFL marketing rules, are a bigger hurdle for the team. He believes that finding room for fans at UC-Irvine’s campus is going to be challenging.

“I think that (rule) may pertain more to sponsorship,” Lauscha said during a recent press conference. “I can tell you we have a great relationship with the Rams and Chargers, and that’s not an issue for us that I’m aware of.”

Finding room for thousands of fans in addition to a hundred or so players and nearly as many coaches, trainers, and other support staff is an undertaking in itself. But the Los Angeles Rams pulled it off in recent years, which is partly why the Saints were attracted to UC-Irvine itself. The school doesn’t have a football team but its 2,500-seat soccer stadium can host a decent crowd.

Still, it’s too soon to say whether Saints fans in California will be able to see their team in person. Lauscha continued: “I think there is some plans, I don’t know if it’s going to happen based on the layout and what’s happening there. And again we’re going to try to get back to New Orleans as quickly as we can. We’re also working right now on having offsite practices like we did a couple years ago. So we’re talking to a couple venues that would have us, that would welcome us, and hopefully we can use those facilities, too.”

The Saints are exploring opportunities to move some of their upcoming organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp practices to local venues around New Orleans, so stay tuned for updates on that front. It isn’t the same as opening up training camp to local fans, but giving their strongest supporters the chance to, say, catch practice at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium or another accessible arena is a great gesture. Let’s see what the Saints have in store.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Saints plan on returning to New Orleans for their 2025 training camp

The Saints plan on returning to New Orleans for their 2025 training camp, with more amenities for fans attending practices in the works:

It’s safe to say the New Orleans Saints moving their 2024 training camp to California isn’t a very popular move. Taking one of the most accessible events for fans and sending it halfway across the country, where NFL rules may not even allow fans on the West Coast to attend practices, has drawn a lot of criticism.

Ongoing renovations to the team headquarters and the construction of a new cafeteria meant the Saints would be taking their training camp on the road this summer. But the plan is to be back for 2025 and beyond. Team president Dennis Lauscha addressed that during a Saturday press conference.

“No one wants to be back more, I can promise you, than Ms. Benson, Mickey (Loomis), myself,” Lauscha said. “We get it. We love having our fans there. It stinks when we don’t have our fans here. That’s kind of why we put off this construction as long as we did, to be perfectly honest with you. Because we were hoping there were perhaps a better way not to impact our training camp. But at some point you have to suck it up and you do it, and that’s where we are.”

Obviously there are lot of unknowns when you’re talking about things more than a year away. A severe weather event like a major hurricane could change the plans at the last minute. We just don’t know. We don’t even know if  Dennis Allen will be head coach or if Derek Carr will be the quarterback in 2025. But right now the plan is for the Saints to take training camp to California in 2024 before returning in 2025 with plenty of opportunities for fans to come out and support the team.

There are plans for more fan amenities in the works like permanent bleachers with shading and cooling areas to help manage the Louisiana summer heat and humidity. But that’s all part of the next phase after they complete renovations to the cafeteria and indoor practice facility, among other projects (with similar upgrades breaking ground next door at the New Orleans Pelicans’ base of operations). The Saints are making a ton of off-field investments to improve the fan experience. Hopefully their efforts on the field line up with it to give those fans something to cheer for.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Report: Saints fans may not be able to attend 2024 training camp in California

An NFL rule may prevent New Orleans Saints fans from attending the team’s open training camp practices in California:

There might not be much of a fan presence at New Orleans Saints training camp this summer. With construction on a new team cafeteria occupying the Ochsner Performance Center, the Saints have announced they are moving their training camp from Metairie, La., to Irvine, Calif. The move will bring a change of pace for the Saints and an escape from the heat. But because of a league rule, the move may also result in an escape from fans.

According to the MMQB’s Albert Breer, there is a league rule that prevents teams from hosting fan events in competing markets. That includes open practices during training camp. Irvine falls within the Los Angeles market, which gives the Rams and Chargers ownership and priority in organizing fan events.

The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves in the same predicament as the Saints, having made plans to hold training camp in nearby Costa Mesa, Calif. Both teams will have to try to work out an agreement with the L.A.-based teams in order to have practices open to the public. But if no agreement can be reached, Saints fans may have to wait until next year’s training camp, when the team returns to Metairie.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Saints announce 2025 Saints Legends Fan Cruise

The New Orleans Saints announced their partnership with Seaside Events to launch the Saints Legends Fan Cruise in April 2025:

Here’s a new one. On Monday, the New Orleans Saints announced their partnership with Seaside Events to launch the Saints Legends Fan Cruise in April 2025, which you can read more about here. The seven-night cruise on the Norwegian Getaway will tour the Western Caribbean with stops in Mexico, Belize, and Honduras.

What’s unique is that this gives diehard Saints fans the opportunity to interact with some of their favorite players at meet and greets, group dinners, panel discussions, and autograph sessions, among other events. Additionally, the first 50 cabin bookings will receive seats at the Suite or Club level for a 2024/2025 Saints home game.

Saints owner Gayle Benson announced the cruise in a statement from the team: “We are thrilled to join forces with Seaside Events for this exciting venture, offering Saints fans an exclusive opportunity to interact with our Legends in a vibrant and exclusive atmosphere, fostering memories that will endure for a lifetime.”

So who will be in attendance? Pro Football Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson has already committed for the cruise, and so has fan favorites like Pat Swilling, Michael Lewis, Joe Horn, and Fred McAfee, and many other former Saints players. There aren’t many other events like this one, so be sure to check it out.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Saints announce 2024 training camp will be held at UC-Irvine

Zot! The New Orleans Saints announced their 2024 training camp will be held at UC-Irvine in Southern California:

As had been previously reported, the New Orleans Saints will take their 2024 training camp on the road this summer. Construction on a new team cafeteria at their headquarters in Metairie will make it difficult for 90 players and a full coaching staff to work at the facility — not to mention all of the athletic trainers and support staff.

So, the Saints announced Friday, they’ll be holding training camp at UC-Irvine in Southern California through July and August. Here’s what general manager Mickey Loomis shared in a team statement:

Currently, Mrs. Benson and our organization have invested in the construction of a new cafeteria, that when completed, will be among the finest in the National Football League. The scope of this project makes it difficult to host training camp on-site in 2024, given the extensive needs for our team to prepare for the regular season. We appreciate the outstanding support we have received from our great fans at training camp. We are thankful to be able to come to an agreement with the University of California, Irvine to host training camp, providing us with exceptional fields and facilities that are critical to our football team receiving the necessary work in preparation for the 2024 season.

UC-Irvine has hosted the Los Angeles Rams for their training camp from 2016 to 2023 (except for the COVID-19 pandemic-afflicted 2020 offseason), so this is nothing new to the university’s athletics department. Their 12-acre facilities and practice fields are well-suited to hosting NFL teams.

Still, it’s disappointing to see the Saints moving so far away from their fanbase in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast at large. At a time when Loomis is facing increasing scrutiny for his decisions in hiring Dennis Allen and recruiting Derek Carr while playing fast and loose with important draft picks, choosing to move the largest free-to-attend event for fans across the country doesn’t send a positive message (intended or not).

Hopefully the Saints can make up for it with some open practices at the team facility once construction wraps up or inside the Caesars Superdome upon their return. The team’s training camp schedule will be announced at a later date, but it remains to be seen whether fans in California will be allowed to attend practices. The Rams welcomed their supporters when conducting camp at this same campus, so hopefully the Saints will do the same.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Broncos facility updates: New indoor turf + fans at training camp

The Broncos are replacing the turf at their indoor facility, and fans are expected at training camp this year despite facility construction.

The Denver Broncos announced two notable training facility updates during the NFL’s annual meetings in Orlando earlier this week.

The first update was an announcement from team owner/CEO Greg Penner that the team will replace the turf at their indoor Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse. The existing turf still had roughly 10 years left in its estimated lifespan, but the Broncos have decided to replace it with a “state-of-the-art” upgrade.

Better indoor turf could, in theory, reduce injuries for Denver, but changing the turf does not directly impact the fans. The second bit of news does.

The Broncos will soon begin construction on a new facility at their current Dove Valley location, and it remains to be seen how many fans will be able to attend training camp while the new facility is being built.

Denver coach Sean Payton said Monday that the team has not discussed the possibility of holding training camp practices at a different location during construction. The Broncos have not yet decided if construction will begin before or after training camp this summer.

Plans are still being finalized, but the team is currently planning to have fans at training camp despite the construction. Denver had a capacity limit of 3,000 fans at practices last summer, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the limit is even lower during construction.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Jameis Winston thanks New Orleans for embracing him, says goodbye to Saints fans

Jameis Winston said goodbye to Saints fans in a last look back before signing with the Browns, thanking New Orleans for embracing him:

Jameis Winston formally put pen to paper on his new contract with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, but before doing that he made time to thank New Orleans Saints fans for embracing him during his four years with the team.

Winston shared a highlight reel of his favorite memories and touchdown passes in a Saints uniform on social media, along with a long goodbye message expressing his gratitude for everything he experienced in New Orleans. It’s a classy tribute to a memorable stretch of his NFL career.

“Trust and believe that y’all haven’t seen the last of Jaboo,” Winston said at the end of his letter, again thanking fans in the community for their support.

He’ll be back sooner than you think: Winston’s new Browns team is scheduled to visit the Saints for a home game at the Caesars Superdome in the fall. Depending on when that game kicks off and how far along Deshaun Watson is in recovering from surgery on his throwing shoulder, it just might be Winston making the start against his former team.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Jameis Winston says he ‘would love to stay in NOLA forever’ ahead of free agency

Jameis Winston says he ‘would love to stay in NOLA forever’ ahead of free agency. The Saints quarterback has found a lot of love in New Orleans:

There aren’t many New Orleans Saints players who have enjoyed Carnival season better than Jameis Winston. The quarterback has been a common site on Mardi Gras parade routes with his young son and family, shaking hands and taking photos with fans in-between plates of smothered turkey necks and red beans. He’s embraced the city’s culture and sense of community and, he hopes, he’ll continue to do so for a long time.

“I would love to stay in NOLA forever. But whatever the Lord has planned for me, I’m going to go and do my best, wherever that is. Hopefully it’s here, because I love this, I love the energy, and I love this city,” Winston laughed during an interview with WDSU meteorologist Margaret Orr, this year’s honorary Muse of the Krewe of Muses.

Will Winston return for 2024? By all accounts he’s been nothing but a good teammate, accepting his demotion to the backup role after Dennis Allen brought in Derek Carr and okaying the offense’s decision to score a late-game touchdown for Jamaal Williams to close out the season. But the Saints reworked his contract before the 2023 season ended so that they can release him in March with a more-manageable salary cap hit. All signs point to his time in New Orleans running out.

If that’s the case, this experience is something Winston will cherish. Even if he ends up joining a rival team like the dirty birds.

“I just love the people. When I go out and meet individuals, they’re so authentic,” Winston continued, comparing the sense of community he’s found to the Southern hospitality he experienced growing up in Alabama. “New Orleans, there’s not another place in the world that’s like New Orleans. It’s the culture, and just the love that’s here. I admire it.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Broncos increasing ticket prices by 7.9% in 2024

Coming off their eighth straight season of missing the playoffs, the Broncos are increasing ticket prices by nearly 8% in 2024.

Despite missing the playoffs for an eighth straight year and posting a losing record for a seventh straight season, the Denver Broncos are raising their ticket prices ahead of the 2024 campaign.

The Broncos started their season ticket renewal process last week and fans were informed that prices are increasing by an average of about 7.9% in 2024, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

This comes after the team increased prices by more than 13% in 2023. So over the last two years, season ticket holders have seen their cost increase by an average of more than 20%.

Some fans have decided to opt out because of the increasing cost.

“I’m out after 27 years. Not renewing,” @bordesa1 wrote on Twitter/X last week. “Small increase here, another there….no big deal, right? Well…since 2016, the first Post-PFM Year of Suck, my cost is up 34%.”

The Broncos, of course, aren’t hurt by fans opting out because the club has a 100,000-person waitlist of fans hoping to one day buy season tickets.

The average price per game for 2024 season tickets is about $143. The average price per ticket was about $132 last year. One day, Denver’s increases might price too many fans out. For now, though, the waitlist demonstrates that the demand is there, and the Broncos will exploit it.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Viral videos of — let’s just say lubricated — fans at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open

It’s a wild scene at TPC Scottsdale.

There’s nothing like the WM Phoenix Open, especially on a Saturday.

The schedule at TPC Scottsdale has been all over the place the last three days thanks to several weather delays and suspended rounds due to darkness. However, the third round will finally tee off Saturday afternoon.

Fans who waited in line during the early hours of the morning were rewarded with great seats in the 16th-hole stadium, hoping to see a historic hole-in-one at the short par 3 (the last ace was Carlos Ortiz in 2022).

It’s impossible to think of the WM Phoenix Open without the fans. They’re rowdy, they’re loud and, maybe most notably, they’re, let’s just say, lubricated. They’re also once again building the Beer Snake, despite security’s best efforts to quash it.

Here are some viral fan moments from the WM Phoenix Open.