Lawmakers approved final step to keep Saints in New Orleans

Louisiana lawmakers approved Friday a lease arrangement as the final step of a financial deal to keep the Saints in New Orleans.

The lease arrangement will have the state renting downtown New Orleans office space from team owner Tom Benson as a measure to funnel money to the team for direct cash subsidies from the government is limited.

Thus, with a 10-2 vote of senators and a 17-7 vote of House members agreeing to the lease, the deal was finalized between Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration and the NFL team to keep the Saints in Louisiana through 2025.