NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans businessman Dave Dixon, who fought to bring an NFL team to the city in the 1960s and was a driving force behind building the Louisiana Superdome in the 1970s, has died. He was 87.
Frank Dixon said his father died early Sunday. Dixon said his father had been ill since last January and had suffered four falls in the last five months.
Dave Dixon was a sports promoter who persuaded the city to go after an NFL team instead of a major league baseball franchise. His supporters included Gov. John McKeithen and city restaurant owners.
The city was awarded the Saints in 1966, and it wasn’t long before Dixon was thinking about a new stadium.
The Superdome opened on Aug. 3, 1975.
