In LA, which is bigger LSU or the Saints?

LSUTyga73 · 02-07-2010, 12:54 PM

LSU is bigger and has better fans because it has 100 years of football excellence.

But don't knock on the "new Saints fans" because they are the majority with the franchise like the Saints and before these past few years, there was nothing to root for. I've been a Saints/LSU fan as long as I've been in Louisiana. But only within the past few years have I embraced the Saints like I do LSU.

And it's not fair to compare attendance records because most of the people go to the LSU games for the atmosphere (tailgating, drinking all day, and to relax on the weekend). You don't go to NFL games for that.

Having said all that, the Saints are an easier team to market because they are a business looking to make $$. The true test would be to see how many Saints fans are in Miami for the Super bowl compared to how many LSU fans would be in Miami for the Orange Bowl if it was the national championship game. To me, it's LSU no contest.

JohnLSU · 02-07-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohio1317

Ohio doesn't seem too different, except for having 2 NFL teams.

Ohio has two NFL teams. The states to the north, west, and east of Ohio all have NFL teams as well (Lions, Colts, Steelers). With the Saints, they are the only NFL team between the Texas teams and the team in Atlanta (which is three states to the east). Many people in Mississippi (which has no NFL team) are huge Saints fans, especially since two of the best players in Saints history are from Mississippi--Archie Manning (the Saints all-time passing leader) and Deuce McAllister (the Saints all-time rushing leader). Of course, not many people in Mississippi are big LSU fans. I've been on the Saints forum for years, and only a fraction of them are LSU fans (about 33% to 37% on the polls I've seen there).

Check out this map to see how the Saints fan base covers both Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as parts of Arkansas and Alabama (neither of whom have an NFL team either):

http://www.commoncensus.org/maps/nfl_1280.gif

Also, check out this map to see how geographically isolated the Saints are from other NFL teams compared to the two NFL teams in Ohio...

QBLuke · 02-07-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnLSU

Ohio has two NFL teams. The states to the north, west, and east of Ohio all have NFL teams as well (Lions, Colts, Steelers). With the Saints, they are the only NFL team between the Texas teams and the team in Atlanta (which is three states to the east). Many people in Mississippi (which has no NFL team) are huge Saints fans, especially since two of the best players in Saints history are from Mississippi--Archie Manning (the Saints all-time passing leader) and Deuce McAllister (the Saints all-time rushing leader). Of course, not many people in Mississippi are big LSU fans. I've been on the Saints forum for years, and only a fraction of them are LSU fans (about 33% to 37% on the polls I've seen there).

Check out this map to see how the Saints fan base covers both Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as parts of Arkansas and Alabama (neither of whom have an NFL team either):

http://www.commoncensus.org/maps/nfl_1280.gif

Also, check out this map to see how geographically isolated the Saints are from other NFL teams compared to the two NFL teams in Ohio...

Jee, thank you captain obvious. Never knew these fascinating tidbits without your in depth breakdown.

clair · 02-07-2010, 03:15 PM

The Saints have a loyal fan base that is crazy dedicated. But the majority of the people doing the "who datting" are fans who only care when the team is 15 minutes away from playing in the Super Bowl.

LSU has a more widespread group of dedicated fans imo.

Whereas in areas like Shreveport, Lake Charles, etc.., there is a strong tie to the Texas professional sports teams.

clair · 02-07-2010, 03:19 PM

The Saints played in BR following Katrina and you couldn't pay people to go, b/c they were miserable.

Let LSU play in New Orleans and the Dome will be full, no matter the team's record.

JohnLSU · 02-07-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clair

The Saints played in BR following Katrina and you couldn't pay people to go, b/c they were miserable.

Let LSU play in New Orleans and the Dome will be full, no matter the team's record.

Tiger Stadium slumped in attendance during the Hallman years, when LSU was horrible.

clair · 02-07-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnLSU

Tiger Stadium slumped in attendance during the early 90's, when LSU was horrible.

and the Dome didn't during the bag heads?

90,000 more difficult to fill than 60,000.

I remember the Saints barely sold out a PLAYOFF GAME in the Aaron Brooks days when they played the Rams.

JohnLSU · 02-07-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clair

and the Dome didn't during the bag heads?

90,000 more difficult to fill than 60,000.

I remember the Saints barely sold out a PLAYOFF GAME in the Aaron Brooks days when they played the Rams.

The Saints have been less successful than LSU. Of course the Saints didn't sell out as many games as LSU did. Had it been vice-versa, with LSU not being as successful as the Saints, then LSU wouldn't have sold out as many games as the Saints did.

clair · 02-07-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnLSU

The Saints have been less successful than LSU. Of course the Saints didn't sell out as many games as LSU did. Had it been vice-versa, with LSU not being as successful as the Saints, then LSU wouldn't have sold out as many games as the Saints did.

But that's not the question -- the question is who is bigger in Louisiana and in part because of LSU's success, they are bigger to Louisiana, mostly in part because the "LSU season" is 12 months from football to baseball, etc..., whereas the Saints season just an autumn/winter thing.

Nutriaitch · 02-07-2010, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigerFan23

They also expand the seating capacity of the Dome for Bowl Games.

and there is a reason they don't expand it for Saints games.
it's the same reason that the Jaguars put tat massive tarp across the upper deck of their stadium.
no guarantee of a weekly sellout with the larger capacity.

MLUTiger · 02-07-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayareatiger

It's real simple.

LSU fans HATE Saints fans and vice versa.

End of story.

That explains the self-loathing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by clair

The Saints played in BR following Katrina and you couldn't pay people to go, b/c they were miserable.

I'm sure it had nothing to do with half of the Saints fanbase being homeless and scattered across the country. Excellent analogy...

Quote:

Let LSU play in New Orleans and the Dome will be full, no matter the team's record.

You mean like they did in 2007 versus Tulane in front of 58,769?

BTW, the Saints played in front of 61,643 versus Miami in 2005.

Swerved · 02-07-2010, 09:17 PM

Tonight? The Saints, without a doubt.

JayB · 02-07-2010, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QBLuke

That makes absolutely no sense. Pro teams= millionaires, from all over the country, no direct ties to the state, just mercenaries essentially. College teams= local kids who choose to represent the state at the flagship university.

Again, this makes absolutely no sense.

it makes lots of sense. you're missing the point i was making... which wasn't even the main point of my post, so i won't argue it any further.

islstl · 02-07-2010, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayareatiger

It's real simple.

LSU fans HATE Saints fans and vice versa.

End of story.

Yeah that's sad.

I think any LSU fan who hates the Saints, sucks big balls.

And visa versa, for that matter.

QBLuke · 02-07-2010, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islstl

Yeah that's sad.

I think any LSU fan who hates the Saints, sucks big balls.

And visa versa, for that matter.

What if they're an LSU fan who is also a Falcons fan? That's my excuse.

Krypto · 02-07-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swerved

Tonight? The Saints, without a doubt.

agreed. Tonight, it is all Saints.

Guido Merkins · 02-07-2010, 10:21 PM

The Saints are far bigger in New Orleans than LSU and if you don't think so, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Go watch a TV and look at Bourbon St right now.

LSU is bigger statewide, but not in this town.

bayareatiger · 02-07-2010, 10:44 PM

Nice screen name - was Rich Mauti already taken?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guido Merkins

The Saints are far bigger in New Orleans than LSU and if you don't think so, you have no idea what you are talking about.

When the Saints are winning, monsieur Merkins.

ONLY when they are winning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guido Merkins

Go watch a TV and look at Bourbon St right now.

Looks the same to me as when LSU won it all in the BCSNC games.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guido Merkins

LSU is bigger statewide, but not in this town.

Not tonight anyway.

QBLuke · 02-08-2010, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guido Merkins

The Saints are far bigger in New Orleans than LSU and if you don't think so, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Go watch a TV and look at Bourbon St right now.

LSU is bigger statewide, but not in this town.

That's because they just won the Super Bowl buddy. Were you on Bourbon St. on January 7, 2008? I was, and it was arguably just as packed, easily the most people I have personally seen on Bourbon, including for Mardi Gras.

But I will say that the Saints winning a Super Bowl is an improbable and cherished event, thus making it more of a celebration for tonight, but that doesn't necessarily mean the state, or even New Orleans, is more behind one than the other.

I think it's an LSU town and will always be an LSU town, which we'll see as soon as the Saints have a down season. It's easy to point to Bourbon St. on the highest point in Saints history, while ignoring the handful of times LSU fans have packed New Orleans for Sugar Bowls and National Championship games...

Guido Merkins · 02-08-2010, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayareatiger

Nice screen name - was Rich Mauti already taken?

When the Saints are winning, monsieur Merkins.

ONLY when they are winning.

Looks the same to me as when LSU won it all in the BCSNC games.

Not tonight anyway.

Winning or losing, the Saints are bigger in this town. Always have been, always will be.

I really can't stand the way you guys are downing a fan base that is like #10 in attendance since 1967 with a 35% winning percentage.

I remember LOTS of empty seats in Tiger Stadium in the 90's, so you guys need to stop throwing stones. There is no fan base in the NFL that loves their team more than the Saints.

LSUtiger327 · 02-08-2010, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QBLuke

Nope, I just haven't changed that. Went to LSU from 04-08 and was living in Baton Rouge up until 3 weeks ago.

Considering before this season most people would classify their relationship with the Saints as "off and on" no I don't. Every city rallies around its team when they go to the Super Bowl. "Who Dat Nation" is no different to me than "Dirty Bird" mania in 1998, or any other team that has made a run to the Super Bowl.

I'd argue that Philadelphia, Buffalo, and the New York market supports their team way more than the Saints fans who until this season were always expecting the worst.

The fact that Drew Brees mentions Katrina in every post-game interview doesn't help. Funnily enough, the Colts have a starter playing who was actually here during that time and actively helping in Joseph Addai. He knows more about the effects of Katrina than Drew Brees ever could, but since Brees hammers in a nail on a United Way commercial and mentions it after every game, the media has run away with "the spirit of New Orleans" story.

Not to trivialize the hurricane, but I do feel that too much has been made about sports' effect on rebuilding. Sports is a diversion, it's not a cure all. Drew Brees needs to shut up about it IMO. It was 4 and a half years ago and he wasn't even here.

/a Falcons fan's .02

i couldn't believe what i was reading in this post.........until i got to the last sentence.

LSUtiger327 · 02-08-2010, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QBLuke

That's because they just won the Super Bowl buddy. Were you on Bourbon St. on January 7, 2008? I was, and it was arguably just as packed, easily the most people I have personally seen on Bourbon, including for Mardi Gras.

But I will say that the Saints winning a Super Bowl is an improbable and cherished event, thus making it more of a celebration for tonight, but that doesn't necessarily mean the state, or even New Orleans, is more behind one than the other.

I think it's an LSU town and will always be an LSU town, which we'll see as soon as the Saints have a down season. It's easy to point to Bourbon St. on the highest point in Saints history, while ignoring the handful of times LSU fans have packed New Orleans for Sugar Bowls and National Championship games...

this ain't atlanta or houston where the fan base abandons their team when their losing. you can't really believe what you're saying right? it's just what you want to believe. saints fans have supported this franchise from day 1 thru all the bad yrs.
places like cincy and arizona put 20,000 when the team is awful, the dome is 75% full in horrific seasons.

LSUtiger327 · 02-08-2010, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clair

The Saints have a loyal fan base that is crazy dedicated. But the majority of the people doing the "who datting" are fans who only care when the team is 15 minutes away from playing in the Super Bowl.

LSU has a more widespread group of dedicated fans imo.

Whereas in areas like Shreveport, Lake Charles, etc.., there is a strong tie to the Texas professional sports teams.

just like the majority of people "tiger baiting" was 15 min before the NC??

any fan base swells with success, that's universal. to say the majority though i think is slighting the saints fan base.

Sourdoughman · 02-08-2010, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islstl

Across the entire state of Louisiana, no doubt the New Orleans Saints.

This is much bigger than LSU winning the National Championship. And that's taking nothing away from LSU winning it twice in this decade. It was an amazing feat and one we will never forget.

But make no bones about it, the Saints winning a Super Bowl is otherworldly. It is beyond our wildest dreams.

No contest.

No doubt, I never thought I'd live to see New Orleans Saints Super Bowl Champions in the same sentence.
Someone please pinch me again!

Guido Merkins · 02-08-2010, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSUtiger327

just like the majority of people "tiger baiting" was 15 min before the NC??

any fan base swells with success, that's universal. to say the majority though i think is slighting the saints fan base.

That's OK. Those saying these things aren't Saints fans anyway.

Tiger fans who hate the Saints, this message is for you.

The Saints are no longer your whipping boy. You need to find another one. You know, it's perfectly acceptable to root for BOTH the Saints and the Tigers. They don't play each other.

02-07-2010, 12:54 PM	#51
LSUTyga73 Registered Guest Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toledo, Ohio/Baton Rouge/Monroe, LA Posts: 1,923	Re: In LA, which is bigger LSU or the Saints? LSU is bigger and has better fans because it has 100 years of football excellence. But don't knock on the "new Saints fans" because they are the majority with the franchise like the Saints and before these past few years, there was nothing to root for. I've been a Saints/LSU fan as long as I've been in Louisiana. But only within the past few years have I embraced the Saints like I do LSU. And it's not fair to compare attendance records because most of the people go to the LSU games for the atmosphere (tailgating, drinking all day, and to relax on the weekend). You don't go to NFL games for that. Having said all that, the Saints are an easier team to market because they are a business looking to make $$. The true test would be to see how many Saints fans are in Miami for the Super bowl compared to how many LSU fans would be in Miami for the Orange Bowl if it was the national championship game. To me, it's LSU no contest.

02-07-2010, 03:15 PM	#54
clair Rockets Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 10,405	Re: In LA, which is bigger LSU or the Saints? The Saints have a loyal fan base that is crazy dedicated. But the majority of the people doing the "who datting" are fans who only care when the team is 15 minutes away from playing in the Super Bowl. LSU has a more widespread group of dedicated fans imo. Whereas in areas like Shreveport, Lake Charles, etc.., there is a strong tie to the Texas professional sports teams. __________________

02-07-2010, 03:19 PM	#55
clair Rockets Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 10,405	Re: In LA, which is bigger LSU or the Saints? The Saints played in BR following Katrina and you couldn't pay people to go, b/c they were miserable. Let LSU play in New Orleans and the Dome will be full, no matter the team's record. __________________

02-07-2010, 09:17 PM	#62
Swerved Registered Guest Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 2,108	Re: In LA, which is bigger LSU or the Saints? Tonight? The Saints, without a doubt. __________________ “Get over it. A lot of people try to put their two cents in, but really they don’t know what they’re talking about. He gets paid for this. Just let him do his job. It will work out.” - Barkevious Mingo speaking of Les Miles' critics after the 2009 season..

02-07-2010, 10:21 PM	#67
Guido Merkins Registered Guest Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 58	Re: In LA, which is bigger LSU or the Saints? The Saints are far bigger in New Orleans than LSU and if you don't think so, you have no idea what you are talking about. Go watch a TV and look at Bourbon St right now. LSU is bigger statewide, but not in this town.

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