Saints get called out for possible plan to neglect fans during 2024 training camp
Training camp is always a great time for the NFL community. It’s late in the summer, when the offseason starts to heat up, and it’s a sign that a new NFL season is near. As teams go through a grueling camp to prepare for the season, they usually open the gates for fans for several practices. This is a great way for fans to get close to their team, often for no charge at all.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like New Orleans Saints fans will have that opportunity in 2024. For starters, the Saints are taking their camp west, holding training camp at the University of California, Irvine. This is because the team is currently building a new cafeteria in the current facility.
However, beyond moving camp outside of the home state, it seems like fans may not even be able to visit the team in California if they wanted to. While no official decision has been made, there’s a possibility that the Saints could have a training camp without fans ever being allowed to attend, and the franchise is being called out for it.
In a recent episode of the Around The NFL podcast, Gregg Rosenthal and company poked holes in New Orleans’ excuses, and explained it would be a bad look if the team doesn’t create opportunities for fans to attend.
Glad the whole #Saints training camp in Irvine thing was brought up on the @AroundTheNFL. Don't use the excuse of the facilities not being suited for fans when the Rams did perfectly fine last year. Figure it out @Saints. s/o @greggrosenthal pic.twitter.com/NFUIgxPGVb
— #NoMusicNoIntro (#FireDennisAllen) (@askmetostay323) May 21, 2024
Saints urged to let fans attend training camp
Once it was announced that New Orleans would hold camp in California, there was a concern that an NFL marketing rule would prohibit the Saints from welcoming fans since they’d technically be in the territory of the two Los Angeles teams. However, Saints team president Dennis Lauscha explained that probably won’t be an issue, citing the team’s good relationship with both the Rams and the Chargers.
However, Lauscha went on to say that spacing may be more of an issue when it comes to opening things up for fans. Unfortunately, that reasoning doesn’t hold up either, because the Rams have held open training camps at the same campus in recent years. Lauscha did say that plans are still ongoing, and that the team is looking at several different options. So fans may ultimately be able to attend training camp, but if they can’t, the franchise won't be let off the hook.
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