METAIRIE, La. - The New Orleans Saints rented out four floors of the downtown Loews Hotel to create an optional bubblelike atmosphere for players and staff members who choose to stay there during the next month of training camp.
"It's not a bubble. It's a sequester," Saints coach Sean Payton told NBC's Peter King, who first reported the details of the team's plan.
Staying in the hotel is optional. Payton estimated that about 150 people will stay there among the total of 180 players, coaches, executives, medical, cafeteria, security and support staff. Owner Gayle Benson was willing to pay the hefty cost to help eliminate some health risks.