Saints Plan Dome Return

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said he expects the New Orleans Saints to resume playing home games at the Super Dome next season.

The commissioner explained during a January 11th visit that the team’s move back to the Katrina-ravaged venue is not just for one season, but “a multi-year effort.”

Saints owner Tom Benson has said he plans to keep the team there past 2006 despite his previous criticism of the Dome and the New Orleans market.

The Superdome is not expected to be ready to host football until mid-September.

Renovation costs to the SMG-managed facility have been estimated at about $140 million.