The New Orleans Pelicans and the state of Louisiana could have a new, long-term lease agreement signed as soon as the fall of 2026, sources with knowledge of the ongoing negotiations tell WDSU.The length of the deal could resemble the one state leaders agreed to with the New Orleans Saints in October 2025.The New Orleans Saints (National Football League) and New Orleans Pelicans (National Basketball Association) are owned by Gayle Benson.The Saints agreement with the state, keeping the nearly 60-year-old NFL team as the primary tenants of the Caesars Superdome, is a 10-year lease through 2035. The deal includes the option for four five-year extensions through 2055.The Pelicans’ current lease with the state ends in 2029. The new deal would keep the NBA team, which has played in New Orleans since 2002, in a renovated Smoothie King Center for a decade and include extensions similar to the Saints’ deal. The Pelicans securing a long-term lease agreement is the first step in triggering the renovation of the Smoothie King Center and surrounding areas adjacent to the Caesars Superdome.The current proposed renovations of the Smoothie King Center, which opened in 1999 and has only undergone minor upgrades in its 27-year history, are contingent on the Pelicans remaining the primary tenants of the arena. While the Smoothie King Center hosts concerts and events year-round, the planned renovations are designed mostly to bring the facility on par with newer NBA arenas throughout the country. Amenities such as new seating and sightlines would be created inside the building, including bunker suites and party areas. Those additions are being made with NBA games in mind.Sources tell WDSU that if a long-term deal between the NBA team and state cannot be reached, renovations to the Smoothie King Center would be designed differently.That said, one person speaking to WDSU on the condition of anonymity said, “We both want this deal to happen and understand the importance of getting it done.”If a new lease agreement is achieved by fall 2026, lead negotiators for the Pelicans and the state of Louisiana will work on finalizing financial aspects of the project. Like the Caesars Superdome, the Smoothie King Center is a state-owned property and managed by the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District. State funding paid for roughly 65% of the recent $560 million Superdome renovation, with the Saints contributing 35% of the costs.Sources tell WDSU the Smoothie King Center renovation would also be a public-private partnership, but specific details on how the financials would be divvied up won’t be decided until a new lease agreement is in place. The timeline for getting a deal done is important. Here’s why:If a lease agreement between the Pelicans and the state of Louisiana is in place in 2026, negotiators will then spend the next few months finalizing financial aspects of the project. Renovation of the Smoothie King Center would be done in two phases during the Pelicans’ offseason and start no later than summer 2028 after the 2027-28 NBA season.The 2027 or 2028 start date is important because it would allow the project to be completed in the final quarter of 2029 or 2030. Finishing a renovation project of the Smoothie King Center and adjacent areas, which will be reimagined for a more fan-friendly experience, is crucial because the Saints and city of New Orleans are considered the favorites to land the NFL Super Bowl in 2031.While the NFL could award New Orleans Super Bowl 65 before the end of 2026, the league may want reassurances that the campus surrounding the Superdome will be a fully renovated entertainment district by 2031.Earlier this year, Mrs. Benson and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry met with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Sources tell WDSU that at that meeting, bringing the NBA All-Star game back to a renovated Smoothie King Center was discussed and is likely happening if the building is upgraded. New Orleans hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 2008, 2014 and 2017.

NEW ORLEANS —

The New Orleans Pelicans and the state of Louisiana could have a new, long-term lease agreement signed as soon as the fall of 2026, sources with knowledge of the ongoing negotiations tell WDSU.

The length of the deal could resemble the one state leaders agreed to with the New Orleans Saints in October 2025.

The New Orleans Saints (National Football League) and New Orleans Pelicans (National Basketball Association) are owned by Gayle Benson.

The Saints agreement with the state, keeping the nearly 60-year-old NFL team as the primary tenants of the Caesars Superdome, is a 10-year lease through 2035. The deal includes the option for four five-year extensions through 2055.

The Pelicans’ current lease with the state ends in 2029.

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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Saints, Superdome deal with Louisiana ✅

Pelicans, Smoothie King Center deal with Louisiana…
TBD 🤷‍♂️

I’m told while Benson and Vosbein were lighthearted, they do plan to engage with Gov. Landry soon on plans for #NBA and arena. pic.twitter.com/90zccAakWf

— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) October 2, 2025

The new deal would keep the NBA team, which has played in New Orleans since 2002, in a renovated Smoothie King Center for a decade and include extensions similar to the Saints’ deal.

The Pelicans securing a long-term lease agreement is the first step in triggering the renovation of the Smoothie King Center and surrounding areas adjacent to the Caesars Superdome.

The current proposed renovations of the Smoothie King Center, which opened in 1999 and has only undergone minor upgrades in its 27-year history, are contingent on the Pelicans remaining the primary tenants of the arena.

While the Smoothie King Center hosts concerts and events year-round, the planned renovations are designed mostly to bring the facility on par with newer NBA arenas throughout the country. Amenities such as new seating and sightlines would be created inside the building, including bunker suites and party areas. Those additions are being made with NBA games in mind.

Sources tell WDSU that if a long-term deal between the NBA team and state cannot be reached, renovations to the Smoothie King Center would be designed differently.

That said, one person speaking to WDSU on the condition of anonymity said, “We both want this deal to happen and understand the importance of getting it done.”

If a new lease agreement is achieved by fall 2026, lead negotiators for the Pelicans and the state of Louisiana will work on finalizing financial aspects of the project.

Like the Caesars Superdome, the Smoothie King Center is a state-owned property and managed by the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District.

State funding paid for roughly 65% of the recent $560 million Superdome renovation, with the Saints contributing 35% of the costs.

Sources tell WDSU the Smoothie King Center renovation would also be a public-private partnership, but specific details on how the financials would be divvied up won’t be decided until a new lease agreement is in place.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

I talked with Robert Vosbein Jr. who’s the Chairman of the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED) Commission about the significant renovations planned for the 27 year old Smoothie King Center. pic.twitter.com/vVVJkWtC2B

— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) March 23, 2026

The timeline for getting a deal done is important. Here’s why:

If a lease agreement between the Pelicans and the state of Louisiana is in place in 2026, negotiators will then spend the next few months finalizing financial aspects of the project.

Renovation of the Smoothie King Center would be done in two phases during the Pelicans’ offseason and start no later than summer 2028 after the 2027-28 NBA season.

The 2027 or 2028 start date is important because it would allow the project to be completed in the final quarter of 2029 or 2030.

Finishing a renovation project of the Smoothie King Center and adjacent areas, which will be reimagined for a more fan-friendly experience, is crucial because the Saints and city of New Orleans are considered the favorites to land the NFL Super Bowl in 2031.

While the NFL could award New Orleans Super Bowl 65 before the end of 2026, the league may want reassurances that the campus surrounding the Superdome will be a fully renovated entertainment district by 2031.

Earlier this year, Mrs. Benson and Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry met with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Sources tell WDSU that at that meeting, bringing the NBA All-Star game back to a renovated Smoothie King Center was discussed and is likely happening if the building is upgraded. New Orleans hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 2008, 2014 and 2017.