A lot of people would be ducking to go up on that stage with some of the issues that local people are having with their own insurance companies. These folks are willing to come up and basically take a stand, go up on the podium and say, 'We're here to help, and we want to be a part of the recovery.' ... And that to me takes guts and courage and I think it's a good sign. |
Actually what we went through last year is going to help us. When we went to Atlanta, we learned how to get a lot done in a relatively short amount of time. We have come so far from where we were. We'll be able to do this. |
First and foremost in our thinking is that we want in every way possible to try to conduct our event in the state of Louisiana. We would ask LSU if we could use the facility to stage the game - Tiger Stadium obviously. Baton Rouge can handle the game easily. |
I can't say with any level of confidence today that it won't be played in Baton Rouge. |
I give them a tremendous amount of credit. They put the bowl above their own personal problems and made it something special. Everyone from top to bottom was impressed with the job we did. It gave us a feeling that if we could handle this, we can handle just about anything. |
I think it's obvious, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we are faced with some formidable challenges. It's difficult to go forward when you are ejected from your home venue. ... First and foremost in our thinking is that we want - in every way possible - to conduct our event in the state of Louisiana. |
I wonder what kind of shape the offices inside the Louisiana Superdome are in after Hurricane Katrina? The valuable things like jewelry, watches, rings, anything they thought they could pawn, all the food and drink, were gone. |
It was a natural. The city has a lot of experience hosting major sports events, and the Georgia Dome holds the annual SEC Championship Game. Atlanta knows how to get things done logistically. |
It will be a high-profile firm. What Fox is seeking for the naming rights is substantial. |
It's a similar situation to many homes in New Orleans. They've got to gut everything inside. They've got to repair the roof. There's a lot of issues. |
It's been a great relationship. Twelve years is a long run and it worked to both of our benefits. You couldn't ask for a better sponsor. |
It's being decontaminated right now. Then the engineers can go in and assess the structural issues. |
It's being decontaminated right now. Then the engineers can go in and assess the structural issues. |
It's just a daunting task and we've basically got about 90 days to pull it off. We're going to need a lot of help. |
The president said he would dedicate the resources necessary to restoring New Orleans. We would like to think the Superdome could become the economic engine of the recovery. |