Who had the best attendance in the NFL last season, by percentage of stadium capacity? Your New Orleans Saints, that's who.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the 2011 season average for attendance at Saints home games was 107.4 percent of capacity at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. 2011 was the first season for the Superdome's new seating configuration that added thousands more seats, bringing capacity in the neighborhood of 70,000.
The rest of the top five included the Dallas Cowboys, at 106.9%, where fans watch the team in Jerry Jones so-called "Palace in Dallas" that can seat as many as 100,000 fans when standing-room-only tickets are included. Philadelphia (102.3%), Indianapolis (102.1%) and Chicago (101.0%) round out the top five.
Coming in at the bottom five, St. Louis (84.4%), Buffalo (84.8%), Washington (83.9%), Miami (81.0%) and Cincinnati (75.2%).
The Journal reports the NFL has seen overall attendance drop 4.5% since 2007. It led to owners to agree this spring to change the blackout rule, letting teams set their own goals for seat-sales, so long as it doesn't fall below 85% of capacity. Furthermore, long-standing waiting lists for many teams have evaporated.
The Saints maintain a waiting list that, according to a recent report on WWL.com, is about 70,000 strong, enough to fill the Superdome if every current season ticket holder suddenly decided to drop out.
He will be entering his tenth season in the National Football League this season in the same uniform that he began his career in back in 2004. The lone player that is still on the Saints roster from the previous coaching staff will get a new look at...
After a season in which the Saints did not have their head coach, in which the club limped through to a very disappointing 7-9 record, New Orleans will hit the field this week as off season practices get underway. The media will get to attend an OTA...
Yes, I know that all coaches and most players say it, but it's true! When it comes to football, championships are won in the off season. Saints Offensive Guard Ben Grubbs is also in that number.
"I believe that the road to the Super Bowl does...
A lot of special moments are expected this weekend as the #2 ranked LSU Baseball Tigers take on the Ole Miss Rebels. Head Coach Paul Mainieri told me and Bobby Hebert that even though his team has sewn up the SEC West, they are in no way going to relax...
Saints Head Coach Sean Payton joined Bobby Hebert and me for a chat following the team's rookie minicamp on Airline Drive.
Coach Payton told us the session went well.
"You have a short period of time to do that and the three days we had gave...
Saints safety Roman Harper has restructured his contract, according to a league source.
We don't know the numbers, but he took a pay cut, and they added a year to his contract. I'm told the new deal has less guaranteed money.
Harper was...
Saints safety Roman Harper has restructured his contract, according to a league source.
We don't know the numbers, but he took a pay cut, and they added a year to his contract. I'm told the new deal has less guaranteed money.
Harper was...
Kristian@wwl.com
The Payton factor: The media got their first look at the Saints during their third Organized Team Activity session this morning at the team's training facility on Airline Drive. Very few people have as strong a presence at their...
Kristian@wwl.com - In a new defensive alignment, Saints veteran Will Smith is starting Organized Team Activities today at outside linebacker.
"On paper it's outside linebacker, but it's still defensive end. I'm cool with it," Smith told...
Starting this Tuesday, the Black and Gold get underway with Organized Team Activities, which is a fancy phrase for "practice." These workouts are voluntary, but as in previous years under Sean Payton, attendance at OTA's are expected to be...
E-Mail
Print
