Greg Aiello, an NFL spokesman, said that until a decision was made on where the Saints would play, he could not discuss the blackout issue.
On CNBC Thursday, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said that the NFL's assumption was that it would be "difficult if not impossible to play in New Orleans at all this year."
He added that "sport is a small part of life" and that the league would use its visibility "to support the national recovery program."
Where the Saints will play next year is also an open question. The team's owner, Tom Benson, has been perpetually dissatisfied with his lease, and Louisiana is less likely than ever to be able to pay the team an average of US$18.6 million a year. The last two years, the Superdome Commission had to borrow to pay Benson what it owed him. The team can escape its lease after this season but would have to pay the state US$81 million. The state can get out of the lease after the 2006 season.
The league is trying to build a stadium in Los Angeles or Anaheim before it chooses a team to occupy it or an owner.Benson said recently that he would not sell or move the team from New Orleans, but the city's decimation might force him to alter his plans.
"New Orleans has always been a marginal market for the NFL, and this disaster doesn't improve their situation," said John Moag, the investment banker who paved the Cleveland Browns' move to Baltimore.
"Mr. Benson was evaluating whether to staybefore this, but he may not have that luxury anymore."
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