The family story as my grandmother and mother tell it is that my grandfather kidnapped me at eight  weeks old to go see a New Orleans Saints game in the Superdome.* He’d gotten tickets through the  job (the now defunct ODECO) and I've carried the spirit of that south-end attitude throughout these last 38 years so it was a pleasure to pick the brain of Mike Hoss, Manager of Media Relations for ASM  Global and the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District on the building’s past, present, and future.

The LSED plans, finances, constructs, develops, maintains and operates facilities located within the  District and is responsible for the John A. Alario Sr. Event Center, Superdome, Smoothie King Center,  New Orleans Saints Training Facility, TPC Louisiana and The Shrine on Airline.

        But it all started with the ‘Dome, the biggest welcome sign in the south for anyone approaching the city and one of the greatest engineering feats in human history.

Opened in 1975 as the world's largest fixed dome structure, the Caesars Superdome is the Big Easy’s  iconic beacon. The on-going renovations build upon a solid foundation that will keep the Superdome  on the cutting edge for decades to come.

Hoss explained how "the forethought, creativity, and partnerships that went into planning and building  the Louisiana Superdome, now Caesars Superdome was nothing short of genius. With the founding  fathers, the architects, the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED), and city and state  politicos, it took 8 years to get it done and opened in 1975. The fact that when New Orleans hosts  Super Bowl LIX, on February 9, 2025, the Superdome will also be celebrating its 50th Anniversary,  speaks volumes alone for the impact of this iconic structure."

There have been 27 Superbowl host sites; seven are no longer standing. The Superdome leads the pack  with 7 (soon to be 8) championship games and the city could reap the monetary rewards of hosting at  least 7 more in the Superdome over the next 50 years. Gayle Benson’s succession plan calls for the  team to stay in place and this new renovation leads directly to a long-term lease ensuring a near seamless process.

Things may look a bit messy now but, as for the Under Construction signs that will be gone once the  season starts, "The ability to renovate Caesars Superdome as we are doing now will allow the building  to remain competitive with other, newer stadiums for major events, championships, and conventions.  The renovation will also create the path for a lease extension with the New Orleans Saints to stay in  New Orleans for years to come, and that alone makes the renovation a success.”

Changes as small as having new seats can be frustrating but Who Dat Nation will get to brag about  some of the best sightlines and amenities in sports for years to come. Spectators will be sitting in  history as well, not some new arena to be replaced later.

Fans of all ages can look forward to family-building moments that now span generations as this venue  will be kept as competitive as possible for the next 50 years. Not just for the Saints and NFL but for all  of the world-class events that come here. The reality is as the fan experience evolves then the ‘Dome  needs to evolve too and this renovation is about as cutting edge as it gets considering the canvas.

Super Bowls, Final Fours, WWE Wrestlemanias, and NCAA College Football Playoffs will keep  returning to the Caesars Superdome. The investment is beneficial to everyone in the region. The Saints  and their Caesars Superdome partners are looking to maintain that standard of customer satisfaction for the globally recognized venue. New Orleans is already the best NFL organization in Overall Safety &  Security, Overall Arrival Communication, and Mobile Ticketing according to league surveying. 

"This multi-phase renovation could not be completed without the LSED's strong partnership with New  Orleans Saints and the State of Louisiana. The Saints have paid a third of the expenses throughout this  renovation and have been a part of the process since the renovation's inception. We look forward to the  completion of the renovation prior to the 2024 Saints football season, just ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl." 

* The Saints lost to the Green Bay Packers (23-13). Morten Anderson scored six points, Rickey  Jackson had the team’s only sack, and QB1 Richard Todd threw two picks. I could tell by the tone of  the WWL call-ins hope on the 7-9 season was fleeting but didn't quite have the voice to tell the Old  Man that the Saints just didn't have the firepower to really threaten anyone. The Pack will be back in  Week 3 this season though. Grandpa is sadly gone but I'll be trying my best to get the Old Gals to a  game while we still can.

Check back TOMORROW 6/29/2023 for Part 1 with exclusive photos and details on changes.

Check back FRIDAY 6/30/2023 for Part 2 to include some lagniappe and what The Kneaux staff would like to see in a finalized renovation!

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