SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger on Monday called on NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to schedule the New Orleans Saints 2006 home games in San Antonio following poor attendance in Baton Rouge La., for the latest game.

"We put 65,000 fans in (San Antonio's) last game, (Baton Rouge) put 32,000 fans in theirs," Hardberger said. "What else do I need to say?"

Hardberger said he will enter into serious discussions with Saints owner Tom Benson after the 2005 season, hoping to bring the displaced franchise to San Antonio permanently.

But regardless of the team's long-term plans, Hardberger said San Antonio should host the Saints' six home games next season.

"I don't want the commissioner to pick and choose and give us the smaller games, and put the big games somewhere else," Hardberger said. "If you want to do business with San Antonio, you have to treat us like first-class citizens. We're not second class."