League donates $1 million to relief, Saints look for a home

NEW YORK (Reuters) – The National Football League donated
$1 million to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina on Wednesday
and began the search for a temporary home for the New Orleans
Saints.

Baseball’s New York Yankees also donated $1 million to
relief efforts.

“The NFL and its clubs are working on other initiatives to
assist in the relief effort,” commissioner Paul Tagliabue said
in a statement.

With the Superdome ravaged by Katrina and most of New
Orleans under water, the NFL is looking into alternative
arrangements for the Saints ahead of their home opener against
the New York Giants on September 18.

The Superdome was used as an emergency shelter by thousands
of storm refugees until part of its roof was peeled off by
ferocious winds.

If the arena cannot be repaired, the Saints could play all
their home games on the road this season, possibly at the
Alamodome in San Antonio or Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.

The Saints open their season away the Carolina Panthers on
September 11.

It is not the first time the Saints have had their season
disrupted by a hurricane.

The team spent part of last year training in San Antonio
when Hurricane Ivan threatened the region.

Katrina has claimed more than 200 lives, left tens of
thousands of people homeless and caused billions of dollars in
damage since slamming into the U.S. Gulf Coast on Monday.