NOLA.com reports the Saints and the state are closing in on a long-term lease extension that includes a 450-million dollar renovation of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The deal would keep the NFL Franchise in the Big Easy through 2035. The Superdome Commission has selected a local firm to oversee the first phase of the renovation that would include a more fan friendly system of escalators and elevators. The Saints have agreed to pay a third of the overall costs. All four phases would be completed before the city hosts the Super Bowl in 2024.

The Saints have reportedly decided not to pick up the fifth year option for cornerback Eli Apple, which means he’ll be a free agent at the end of the season. Friday is the deadline for teams to decide if they want to pick up the fifth year option on all players taken in the first round of the 2016 draft.

Former LSU Tiger BoogerMcFarland will be in the booth next season for the Monday Night Football broadcasts on ESPN, instead of the so-called Booger mobile.

LSU junior right-hander Zack Hess is headed to the bullpen. Hess was a reliver as a freshman and he’s been the team’s Friday night starter the last two seasons. But Coach Paul Mainieri has come to the conclusion that Hess is better out of the bullpen…
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Ma’khail Hilliard will start Friday’s series opener against Ole Miss.

Last night, Southern scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to stun Nicholls six to five. Malik Blaise’s two run-single through the left side of the infield led to the walk-off celebration.

Southeastern scored three runs in the first inning and held on a for a four- three win over McNeese to sweep the season series over the Cowboys.