The Kneaux's Superdome Renovation Rundown: Dodson Hears From Mike Hoss On The Caesars Superdome’s Past, Present, and Future

Chris Dodson • June 28, 2023

Check out Chris Dodson's Superdome Renovation Rundown with Mike Hoss, Manager of Media Relations for ASM Global, LSED. Stay tuned for Part 1 & 2 releasing, information at the end of the article!

The family story as my grandmother and mother tell it is that my grandfather kidnapped me at eight  weeks old to go see a New Orleans Saints game in the Superdome.* He’d gotten tickets through the  job (the now defunct ODECO) and I've carried the spirit of that south-end attitude throughout these last 38 years so it was a pleasure to pick the brain of Mike Hoss, Manager of Media Relations for ASM  Global and the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District on the building’s past, present, and future.


The LSED plans, finances, constructs, develops, maintains and operates facilities located within the  District and is responsible for the John A. Alario Sr. Event Center, Superdome, Smoothie King Center,  New Orleans Saints Training Facility, TPC Louisiana and The Shrine on Airline.


        But it all started with the ‘Dome, the biggest welcome sign in the south for anyone approaching the city and one of the greatest engineering feats in human history.


Opened in 1975 as the world's largest fixed dome structure, the Caesars Superdome is the Big Easy’s  iconic beacon. The on-going renovations build upon a solid foundation that will keep the Superdome  on the cutting edge for decades to come.


Hoss explained how "the forethought, creativity, and partnerships that went into planning and building  the Louisiana Superdome, now Caesars Superdome was nothing short of genius. With the founding  fathers, the architects, the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED), and city and state  politicos, it took 8 years to get it done and opened in 1975. The fact that when New Orleans hosts  Super Bowl LIX, on February 9, 2025, the Superdome will also be celebrating its 50th Anniversary,  speaks volumes alone for the impact of this iconic structure."


There have been 27 Superbowl host sites; seven are no longer standing. The Superdome leads the pack  with 7 (soon to be 8) championship games and the city could reap the monetary rewards of hosting at  least 7 more in the Superdome over the next 50 years. Gayle Benson’s succession plan calls for the  team to stay in place and this new renovation leads directly to a long-term lease ensuring a near seamless process.


Things may look a bit messy now but, as for the Under Construction signs that will be gone once the  season starts, "The ability to renovate Caesars Superdome as we are doing now will allow the building  to remain competitive with other, newer stadiums for major events, championships, and conventions.  The renovation will also create the path for a lease extension with the New Orleans Saints to stay in  New Orleans for years to come, and that alone makes the renovation a success.”


Changes as small as having new seats can be frustrating but Who Dat Nation will get to brag about  some of the best sightlines and amenities in sports for years to come. Spectators will be sitting in  history as well, not some new arena to be replaced later.


Fans of all ages can look forward to family-building moments that now span generations as this venue  will be kept as competitive as possible for the next 50 years. Not just for the Saints and NFL but for all  of the world-class events that come here. The reality is as the fan experience evolves then the ‘Dome  needs to evolve too and this renovation is about as cutting edge as it gets considering the canvas.


Super Bowls, Final Fours, WWE Wrestlemanias, and NCAA College Football Playoffs will keep  returning to the Caesars Superdome. The investment is beneficial to everyone in the region. The Saints  and their Caesars Superdome partners are looking to maintain that standard of customer satisfaction for the globally recognized venue. New Orleans is already the best NFL organization in Overall Safety &  Security, Overall Arrival Communication, and Mobile Ticketing according to league surveying. 


"This multi-phase renovation could not be completed without the LSED's strong partnership with New  Orleans Saints and the State of Louisiana. The Saints have paid a third of the expenses throughout this  renovation and have been a part of the process since the renovation's inception. We look forward to the  completion of the renovation prior to the 2024 Saints football season, just ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl." 

* The Saints lost to the Green Bay Packers (23-13). Morten Anderson scored six points, Rickey  Jackson had the team’s only sack, and QB1 Richard Todd threw two picks. I could tell by the tone of  the WWL call-ins hope on the 7-9 season was fleeting but didn't quite have the voice to tell the Old  Man that the Saints just didn't have the firepower to really threaten anyone. The Pack will be back in  Week 3 this season though. Grandpa is sadly gone but I'll be trying my best to get the Old Gals to a  game while we still can.


Check back TOMORROW 6/29/2023 for Part 1 with exclusive photos and details on changes.

Check back FRIDAY 6/30/2023 for Part 2 to include some lagniappe and what The Kneaux staff would like to see in a finalized renovation!


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Why Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton RoyalWhy Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton Royal

By Auston Taylor • July 8, 2026
 LSU has made it clear that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of its top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class. Although Royal is currently committed to Texas, LSU has continued to recruit him aggressively. Based on recent recruiting events and public reporting, one factor that could strengthen the Tigers' position is the presence of quarterback commit Peyton "Pop" Houston. While no outcome is guaranteed in recruiting, Houston's relationship with Royal has become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding LSU's 2027 class. According to recruiting coverage from The Opening and reports from And The Valley Shook, Houston and Royal showcased noticeable chemistry while competing together on the national stage. Houston also drew attention by winning the event's longest throw competition with a reported 67-yard throw, further reinforcing why many evaluators consider him one of the premier quarterback prospects in the 2027 class. In my view, Houston has the potential to become much more than another highly rated offensive commitment. Elite quarterbacks often become magnets for other top recruits, and early signs suggest Houston could have that kind of influence on LSU's 2027 recruiting class. Why Houston Matters in Royal's Recruitment Quarterback and wide receiver relationships have become one of the most influential factors in modern recruiting. Elite receivers aren't simply choosing a school—they're choosing an offense, a coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, the quarterback who will help maximize their abilities. If Royal ultimately views Houston as LSU's quarterback of the future, it gives the Tigers another compelling selling point. Rather than asking Royal to imagine what the offense could become, LSU can point to chemistry that has already been displayed during national recruiting events. That doesn't guarantee a commitment flip, but it does provide LSU with something tangible that few recruiting pitches can offer: an established connection between two elite prospects. LSU's History Shows Why This Matters LSU's greatest offensive seasons have consistently featured elite quarterbacks throwing to elite receivers. During the Tigers' historic 2019 National Championship season, Joe Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy while throwing to arguably the greatest receiving corps in college football history—Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. That offense rewrote NCAA record books and remains the standard for modern college football offenses. A few years later, history repeated itself. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy while benefiting from one of the nation's most explosive receiving duos in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels' remarkable development was certainly his own, but LSU's elite receiving talent allowed the offense to reach another level. The lesson is clear: great quarterbacks elevate receivers, but elite receivers also help quarterbacks reach championship-level production. That history gives LSU a compelling message for recruits considering Baton Rouge. Peyton "Pop" Houston's Development Houston's rise as one of Louisiana's premier quarterback prospects is backed by more than recruiting rankings. Evaluators consistently praise his arm strength, touch, ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and willingness to attack defenses vertically. His continued development at Evangel Christian Academy has made him one of the foundation pieces of LSU's 2027 recruiting class. The Bigger Picture If LSU eventually pairs Peyton Houston with Easton Royal, it would represent much more than another recruiting victory. It would signal that LSU landed a quarterback capable of attracting elite talent around him while adding a receiver willing to build alongside that vision. Programs that consistently compete for championships often see recruiting momentum build this way. Elite quarterbacks attract receivers. Elite receivers attract additional offensive talent. Once that cycle begins, recruiting classes can quickly become special. None of this guarantees that Easton Royal will flip his commitment. Texas remains in a strong position, and recruiting decisions can change for countless reasons. However, Houston's emergence gives LSU something every elite program hopes to have: a quarterback capable of becoming the centerpiece of an entire recruiting class. LSU has already witnessed what happens when championship-caliber quarterbacks are paired with elite receivers. Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. If Peyton "Pop" Houston eventually helps bring Easton Royal to Baton Rouge, it could become one of the defining recruiting stories of LSU's 2027 class—and perhaps the first step toward building another explosive Tiger offense.

Tight End Room Outlook: Revamped and Ready To Roll

By Kaden Arkeder • July 4, 2026
The tight end room has some fresh blood and they look poised to be more impactful heading into next season. With the new arrivals of Noah Fant and third round draft pick Oscar Delp the offense will have the ability to play more in multiple tight end sets to create mismatches for the defense. Multiple tight end sets should allow the Saints to improve the run game and conversely the play action game. Playing in tight end heavy sets was something they were unable to do more of last year due to injuries and lack of talent at the tight end position. Mainstay and the only returning starting caliber player is Juwan Johnson. Johnson had a good year last year as one of the few reliable targets in the passing game aside from Chris Olave. Johnson is looking to build on a solid year where he had 77 receptions for 889 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. He was a security blanket when Rattler was starting and had quite a few big plays when Shough took over as the starting quarterback. With Shough coming into the season as the presumed starter I expect their connection to be even better next season. Someone hoping to have a better connection with a new QB is Noah Fant. Fant was a first round pick back in 2019 with the Broncos but has never quite lived up to his draft status. Fant will be playing on his third team in three years as he seeks to be a quality rotational piece in the offense and find stability for his career here in New Orleans. Fant should be utilized more in the passing game than in the running game but should be able to hold his own when called upon to do his part on run downs. Fant has been on a statistical decline since his time with Denver as his best receiving season came in at 68/670/4 back in 2021. Although his stats have been declining Fant still has plenty to offer with his athleticism and should produce more given a better opportunity. After Fant in the depth chart should be Oscar Delp who could be the x-factor of the tight end room after being selected in the third round of the draft this year. Delp brings a versatile option to the offense as he can lineup in various spots and handle the rigors of blocking in the run game. Delp’s calling card in college was his elite athleticism which jumps off the screen when you watch his tape. He has the ability to turn a five yard catch into an explosive play with how quickly he can get to top speed. Delp is an adequate, willing blocker where like most new tight ends in the league has room to improve in the blocking area of his game. With his versatility and athleticism I believe Delp will play a pivotal role in the offense this upcoming season. With Delp presumed to round out the depth chart at tight end the remaining tight ends will be competing for spots on the practice squad or spots on another team. This group includes Cody Hardy, Treyton Welch, Moliki Matavao, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden. We’ve seen Welch and Matavao from last season fill in admirably after some injuries but are best served as bench options at this point in time in their development. This group of roster hopefuls should hopefully provide some good competition from one another as we progress through training camp and preseason here shortly. Overall this group has a lot more promise heading into this season as it did last year. By getting younger and more athletic the tight ends will play a more prominent role in Kellen Moore’s offense. Whether it’s Juwan building on last season or Fant having a bounce back year or Delp proving to be revelation, the team is going to have plenty of options to choose from to attack the defense. Exactly what this team needed after not having enough last season.
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