The New Orleans Saints are searching for a new star – not on the field in this case, but off the field and in the entertainment sector through a new “Saints Anthem Auditions” contest featuring local performers.

In the spirit of show biz contest shows such as FOX’s American Idol, the Saints will host a unique competition in which the winner will be awarded an opportunity to perform the Star-Spangled Banner prior to a Saints home game during the 2005 season. The contest will culminate in a live performance event at the Saints Training Facility on July 19 where local celebrities with music and entertainment ties will judge the entrants’ live performances of the anthem.

To participate, performers will first need to send a recorded performance (cassette, CD, DVD, VHS, etc.) of a traditional version of the Star-Spangled Banner to the Saints offices in Metairie, along with an application that can be downloaded above. Entries should be addressed as such:

Saints Anthem Auditions

5800 Airline Drive

Metairie, LA 70003

For consideration, all entries must be received no later than June 27. All applicants will be pre-screened by the Saints’ marketing and entertainment staff, with top performers gaining an invitation to the live performance event.

For questions regarding the Saints Anthem Auditions, please call 504-731-1766. Saints season tickets are on sale now at the club’s ticket office in Metairie (504-731-1700 or toll free 877-666-1700), the Superdome ticket office, and through the Saints’ web site at www.NewOrleansSaints.com. Also, fans across the Gulf South can purchase tickets locally by calling the Saints’ offices in Baton Rouge (225-927-8626), Mississippi Gulf Coast (228-863-9555) and Mobile (251-479-2327).