Friday was a day of two city announcements for New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson.

Benson was in San Antonio, flew to New Orleans and returned to San Antonio late Friday afternoon.

The NFL has made it official and Benson wanted to deliver the news in person: the Saints are going home.

"Returning to the practice facility in Metairie is the best interest of our football team," said Benson.

Benson said the Superdome will be ready for football play as early as Sept. 15.

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said many kinks, like poor ticket sales in Baton Rouge, will have to be worked out.

Tagliabue also commended San Antonio for welcoming the NFL team that was literally washed out of its home.

With more than 60,000 fans crowding the Alamodome each time the Saints played, Tagliabue said he doesn't rule out the possibility of San Antonio acquiring a team of their own.

"I guess the sense I have, if we ever get around to considering expansion within the NFL, that San Antonio would be on anyone's short list," said Tagliabue.

In a memo, Benson said the Saints would go back to their Louisiana practice facility in mid-January.

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin also reacted to Friday's announcement.

"After 30-plus years of supporting the Saints, it is somewhat encouraging that the Saints will play the next season in our city and state," said Nagin.

In October, Nagin blasted Benson after hearing that the owner wanted to move the Saints to San Antonio permanently.