Tom Benson, owner of the NFL and NBA franchises in New Orleans, announced a change in his succession plan to transfer future ownership to his wife, Gayle Benson.
“This is about the legacy of these two teams and everything we have done for the good of the city of New Orleans and our region,” Benson said in a statement. “My primary goal is to give the organization the foundation to live on after me for many, many years. … This is best for our teams and our community.”
The change eliminates the longstanding succession plan to put the Saints and Pelicans under the control of Tom Benson’s granddaughter, Rita Benson LeBlanc.
“Our football and basketball operations could not ask for a better owner in Mr. Benson,” Saints president and general manager Mickey Loomis said. “We have nothing but this unequivocal support and that is important. We have been a successful franchise because of it. Nothing will change with that when Mrs. Benson becomes the owner. That stability creates an environment so that players and coaches want to come here.”
According to reports, Benson LeBlanc’s offices at the team facility were vacated recently.
Tom Benson, 87, stressed Thursday that there would be no change in the management structure of either franchise.
“We have built a strong foundation of success with the Saints and Pelicans on both the business side and the respective football and basketball operations,” said Dennis Lauscha, president of the Saints and Pelicans. “This will continue. Mr. Benson remains actively involved in the day-to-day operations of all of his businesses, addressing both the short- and long-term plans for the teams are always top-of-mind items and he decided now was the time to make this change.”
Tom Benson did not disclose the reason for the change but told NOLA.com that his decision did not come overnight. The adjusted plan also eliminates daughter Renee Benson and grandson Ryan LeBlanc from team operations.