New Orleans Saints, commonly referred to as The Saints or simply Saints, is one of the most iconic and successful football clubs in the National Football League (NFL). Founded in 1966, the club is based in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, and plays its home matches at the famous Mercedes-Benz Superdome, which has a seating capacity of over 73,000.
New Orleans Saints has a rich history, boasting one Super Bowl title, NFC Championship, and numerous Division championships. The club enjoyed its most successful era under head coach Sean Payton, who led the Saints to their first Super Bowl victory in the 2009 season.
Known for its dynamic offensive style of play, the club has nurtured some of football’s greatest talents, including Drew Brees, Archie Manning, Rickey Jackson, and Willie Roaf. Despite recent challenges and inconsistent performances post-Brees era, New Orleans Saints remains one of the NFL's most valuable football clubs, with a global fan base and a rich tradition that continues to influence American and world football.
New Orleans Saints is one of the most popular football teams in the NFL, with one of the highest average home attendances in the league. The team states that its worldwide fan base includes more than 200 officially recognised branches of the New Orleans Saints Fan Club, in at least 24 countries. The team takes advantage of this support through its nationwide summer tours. Accountancy firm and sports industry consultants Deloitte estimate that New Orleans Saints has 75 million fans worldwide. The team has one of the highest social media followings in the world among sports teams, with over 82 million Facebook followers as of July 2023. A 2014 study showed that New Orleans Saints had the loudest fans in the NFL.
New Orleans Saints was founded in 1967 as part of the NFL's expansion. The team's early years were marked by struggles on the field, with the Saints failing to record a winning season until 1987. However, despite these challenges, the team quickly developed a passionate and dedicated fan base in New Orleans and beyond. The team's colors—black and gold—were chosen to represent the cultural heritage of New Orleans, including its famous Mardi Gras celebrations.
In 1986, the team hired Jim Mora as head coach, marking the start of a new era for the Saints. Mora led the team to its first ever winning season in 1987, and the Saints made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Under Mora's leadership, the team became a consistent playoff contender, although a Super Bowl title remained elusive.
After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Saints became a symbol of resilience and recovery for the city of New Orleans. Under the leadership of head coach Sean Payton and with key players like Drew Brees and Reggie Bush, the team achieved unprecedented success. In the 2009 season, the Saints won their first ever Super Bowl, defeating the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. This victory was not just a triumph for the team, but also a source of pride and joy for the city of New Orleans.
Originally funded by local businessmen, the New Orleans Saints became a part of the National Football League in 1966 as an expansion team. The club's original majority owner was John W. Mecom Jr., a young Texas oilman, who invested a significant amount of his fortune into the team. After years of struggle both on and off the field, Mecom sold the team to current owner Tom Benson, a successful local car dealership owner and banker, in 1985 for $70 million.
Upon acquisition, Benson started making significant changes in the club, including hiring general manager Jim Finks and head coach Jim Mora, who led the team to its first winning season and playoff appearance in 1987. After Finks' death in 1994 and Mora's resignation in 1996, Benson appointed Bill Kuharich as general manager and Mike Ditka as head coach. However, this period was marked by poor performance and financial struggles.
In 2000, Benson hired Randy Mueller as general manager and Jim Haslett as head coach, leading the team to win its first-ever playoff game. Financial difficulties remained a constant issue, but the team's fortunes changed dramatically in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In response to the disaster, the NFL and the Saints, led by Benson, played a crucial role in the rebuilding process of New Orleans. In 2006, Benson appointed Mickey Loomis as general manager and Sean Payton as head coach, along with signing quarterback Drew Brees. This marked a turning point for the Saints, culminating in a Super Bowl victory in 2009.
Since Benson's death in 2018, the ownership of the Saints has passed to his widow, Gayle Benson, making her the first woman to be the majority shareholder of an NFL team. Under her stewardship, the Saints continue to be a competitive force in the NFL, while also playing a significant role in the local community of New Orleans.
The New Orleans Saints is an American football team that has had its share of success in the National Football League (NFL). The team was founded in 1967 and has since then been successful in winning several trophies and accolades. The Saints secured their first significant victory in 2000 when they won the NFC West and their first playoff game. The team's most notable accomplishment came in 2009 when they won Super Bowl XLIV.
Domestic
It's worth noting that the team's success is not just limited to these championships. The Saints have produced numerous Pro Bowl players, Hall of Famers, and award-winning players. Some notable players include Drew Brees, Morten Andersen, Rickey Jackson, and Willie Roaf to name just a few.
New Orleans Saints - Wikipedia: Detailed historical and contemporary information about the New Orleans Saints, including team formation, ownership, achievements, and notable players. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Saints
New Orleans Saints - NFL Official Site: Official site of the New Orleans Saints providing up-to-date news, roster information, and team statistics. https://www.nfl.com/teams/new-orleans-saints/
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