ESPN NFL

SAN ANTONIO -- Saints owner Tom Benson, who drew criticism for his silence concerning where the team should play home games in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, prefers to call Baton Rouge home.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Benson echoed players and coaches who've said they prefer to play in Tiger Stadium on the LSU campus. Benson said he told the NFL he would like the Saints to play there "to the extent circumstances allow."

NFL spokesman Joe Browne said the league has been in contact with LSU and Baton Rouge officials and hopes the Saints eventually will be able to play home games there.

There are logistical issues potentially blocking the Saints from playing some early season home dates at 92,000-seat Tiger Stadium about 80 miles northwest of their longtime home, the storm-damaged Louisiana Superdome. The LSU campus currently is home to relief efforts that even forced the Tigers to postpone their first home game and move their second one this Saturday to Arizona State.

Benson also assured season-ticket holders they will be refunded if they are unable to attend games, wherever they may be played. He said the team was still finishing the details of its refund policy.

"The entire New Orleans Saints organization would like to extend its prayers and best wishes to all of our fans throughout Louisiana and the Gulf South region," Benson said.

Benson added he wants the club to be "a source of pride and joy in these difficult days."

"As we move forward together, the Saints look forward to serving as a leader in the rebuilding and revitalization of our great community," Benson said, noting that the club is setting up a relief fund for the storm-ravaged region.

For home games that can't be played at Tiger Stadium, the Saints say their other options include playing at the stadium of their scheduled opponent or in San Antonio, where the club is practicing and has set up temporary headquarters.

The Saints already agreed to play their first scheduled home date in New York against the Giants on Sept. 19. The next home game in question is Oct. 2 against Buffalo.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press