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Thomas Milton Benson Jr. (July 12, 1927 – March 15, 2018) was an American businessman, philanthropist and sports franchise owner. He was the owner of several automobile dealerships before buying the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) in 1985 and the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 2012.[2]

Key Information

As a sports team owner, Benson had a Super Bowl victory to his credit, via the Saints winning Super Bowl XLIV (2009).

As of October 2017, he had a net worth of US$2.8 billion according to Forbes.[3]

Biography

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Early career

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Benson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Thomas Milton Benson Sr. and Carmen Pintado.[4] After graduating from St. Aloysius in 1944, he went to enlist in the US Navy at the end of World War II in 1945. After the war ended, he went to study accounting at Loyola University New Orleans before dropping out in 1948.[5][6] He then went to work as a car salesman at Cathey Chevrolet in New Orleans.[4]

In 1956, he moved to San Antonio to try and revive a poorly performing dealership; he was granted a 25 percent interest in the dealership for his efforts.[4] In 1962, he became full owner of Tom Benson Chevrolet.[4] He was the owner of several automobile dealerships in the Greater New Orleans and San Antonio areas. Benson became wealthy by investing profits from his automobile dealerships in local banks. He eventually purchased several small Southern banks and formed Benson Financial, which he sold to Norwest Corporation in 1996.[7]

New Orleans Saints

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Benson purchased the Saints from John Mecom in 1985 after he learned from Governor Edwin W. Edwards that the team was on the verge of being sold to parties interested in moving the team to Jacksonville, Florida. Ownership of the team was officially transferred to him on May 31, 1985, with his intent that the team would stay in New Orleans.

Shortly after acquiring the Saints, Benson gained a reputation as one of the more popular and colorful owners in the league.[citation needed] He hired general manager Jim Finks and head coach Jim Mora, who led the Saints to their first winning season and playoff appearance.

Benson's popularity later declined, however, after numerous attempts to persuade the state of Louisiana to construct a new stadium for the Saints to replace the aging Superdome, suggesting that he might move the team elsewhere if said stadium were not built.

His popularity hit an all-time low in late 2005 after it appeared he was trying to move the team to San Antonio after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. (See Saints relocation controversy below for more details.) He later stated that the Saints would return to New Orleans for the 2006 season, which they did. The team's fortunes improved dramatically in the years after their return, including a 31–17 defeat of the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010, to win Super Bowl XLIV, and Benson recovered much of his popularity as well.[8][9]

On July 18, 2008, the Benson-led Louisiana Media Company consummated their purchase of WVUE-DT, the Fox affiliate for the New Orleans area and by virtue of their affiliation, the major carrier of Saints games as part of the NFL on Fox contract. Since the sale, the station has also become the de facto home of the Saints, including coach's shows and preseason games.

Benson was well known for doing the "Benson Boogie" after Saints home victories. Benson, in true New Orleans fashion, would second line dance down the field of the Superdome in the closing minutes of the game while carrying an umbrella decorated in black and gold.[10]

During the Saints' 2001 negotiations with the state of Louisiana, rumors circulated that Benson would seek relocation if his requests—which included renovations to the Superdome, a new practice facility in suburban Metairie, and escalating annual payments from the state to the team—could not be met. The team relocated to San Antonio in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina made the Superdome unavailable, and Benson agreed to schedule negotiations to make the relocation permanent.[citation needed] He dismissed executive vice president Arnie Fielkow when Fielkow protested against the relocation,[11] which prompted criticism.[12] Benson made statements that he had not made a decision to relocate.[13][14] Benson participated in a meeting with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco on October 30,[15] and later that day he got in a physical altercation with reporters.[16] A leaked email from Benson indicated that he feared for his life during the incident.[17] He agreed to a deal to extend the team's lease with the Superdome on November 4.[18] Several investors approached Benson to buy the team and keep it in Louisiana.[19] Benson announced on December 17 that the Saints were staying in San Antonio for the 2006 season,[20] but he retracted this and later announced that they would return to Louisiana.[21][22]

Other

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In 1992, Benson made a deal to acquire the Charlotte Knights AA minor league baseball team and bring them to New Orleans for the 1993 season, renaming them the "Pelicans" after New Orleans' old minor league team, but the transaction was thwarted when the Denver Zephyrs AAA team relocated to New Orleans to make way for the major league Colorado Rockies (the team became the New Orleans Zephyrs, and was later known as the New Orleans Baby Cakes).[23][24] At the end of the 2019 season, the team relocated to Wichita, Kansas, where they continue as the Wichita Wind Surge.[25]

In 1998, Benson was granted a license for a team in the Arena Football League, which finally began play in 2004 as the New Orleans VooDoo. He relinquished ownership of the VooDoo on October 13, 2008, during an owners' teleconference. By this point the entire Arena Football League was in grave financial difficulty and shortly afterward filed for bankruptcy reorganization and the 2009 season was never played. A subsequent AFL team with the same name which played in the early 2010s did so without Benson's involvement.

On April 13, 2012, Benson bought the New Orleans Hornets, now known as the New Orleans Pelicans, from the NBA for $338 million.[2]

In 2017, Benson bought a majority stake in the Dixie Brewing Company from Joe and Kendra Bruno, with plans of returning the brewing operation to New Orleans within two years.[26]

Philanthropy

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The Benson family established an endowment fund at Central Catholic High School, in San Antonio, Texas, dedicated to the memory of their son Robert Carter Benson, who graduated from the school in 1966. Tom Benson also donated the Benson Memorial Library at Central Catholic. Robert Carter Benson died of cancer in 1985, at the age of 37.

Benson and his family long have been ardent supporters of University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. The Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium officially opened on campus September 1, 2008, when the Bensons joined with more than 2,000 Cardinals fans and athletes to declare the facility ready for action. The stadium is wide enough and long enough that the Cardinals soccer teams, men's and women's, have begun playing their games here.

Also in San Antonio, Texas, at St. Anthony Catholic School there is a Library named after Benson's son who died of cancer.

On September 23, 2010, Benson donated $8 million to Loyola University New Orleans in what will be called the Benson Jesuit Center.

In January 2012, Benson and his wife were awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for their generosity to Catholic Church, the highest papal honor that Catholic laypeople can receive.[27]

In November 2012, Benson and his wife, Gayle, donated $7.5 million towards the construction of Tulane University's Yulman Stadium. The stadium, which opened in 2014, brought the Green Wave back to campus for the first time since the demolition of Tulane Stadium in 1980. The playing surface is known as Benson Field.[28]

In November 2014, Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, was renamed "Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium" in recognition of an $11 million donation by Tom Benson.[29]

In 2015 the Benson family gave $20 million for cancer care and research.[30]

Personal life and death

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Benson spent his final years in the exclusive Audubon Place neighborhood in New Orleans.[31] His brother, Larry Benson, has also been in sports ownership and owned the San Antonio Riders of the World League.[32]

Benson was married three times. His first wife was Shirley Landry who is deceased.[33][34] On November 18, 2003, his second wife, Grace Marie Trudeau Benson (born March 1, 1927), died of Parkinson's disease.[35] In October 2004, he married Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird.[36][37]

Tom Benson and his first wife Shirley adopted three children: Robert Carter Benson, Renee Benson, and Jeanne Marie Benson.[38][39] Renee Benson has two adult children, Rita LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc.[40][41] Rita Benson LeBlanc was Saints owner and executive vice president until Tom Benson fired her, her brother Ryan and her mother Renee, and wrote them out of his will. She, along with her mother Renee and brother Ryan LeBlanc, then sued Tom Benson claiming he was incompetent and for control of his companies.[42][43][44] Benson's only living child, as of January 2015, is Renee.[45]

All of Benson's property had in fact been put into a family trust whose governing terms, while undisclosed, required him to replace the shares of Saints and Pelicans stock owned by his daughter and grandchildren, with assets of equivalent value. Benson argued he did so by canceling millions of dollars' worth of debt and turning over $500 million in promissory notes due in about 25 years, but trust officials disagreed. The case was settled in 2017.[46]

Benson was hospitalized on February 16, 2018, with the flu. Almost a month later, he died on March 15, 2018, at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, Louisiana, at age 90.[47]

Awards and honors

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Asset controversy

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In January 2015, after Tom Benson announced that he had cut his estranged adopted daughter Renee Benson and her adult children out of his will, he was sued by Renee and Renee's two children, Rita LeBlanc (also known as Rita Benson LeBlanc) and Ryan LeBlanc of Texas. One of Renee, Rita and Ryan's complaints in the lawsuit is "Upon information and belief, under the apparent supervision of Gayle, the diet of Tom Benson has drastically deteriorated, with him rarely consuming full, nutritious meals, but instead, for some reason, subsisting on candy, ice cream, sodas, and red wine."[49][50][51] Renee Benson, Rita LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc are suing for control of Tom Benson's companies including the NFL's New Orleans Saints and the NBA's Pelicans, claiming he was "incompetent".[52][53][54][55]

Benson released a statement saying that the lawsuit and claims against him by his adoptive daughter and her children were false and meritless.[56] In February 2015, Probate Court Judge Tom Rickhoff named former San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger and attorney Art Bayern as co-executors of the testamentary trust of Shirley L. Benson, replacing Benson as trustees of the estate.[57] On June 18, 2015, a judge found him competent.[58][59][60]

On February 19, 2016, Judge Rickhoff approved the appointment of Renee Benson, Benson's estranged adopted daughter, as administrator of the $1 billion Shirley Benson Testamentary Trust, which includes the Lone Star Capital Bank in San Antonio, half of five automobile dealerships, part of a large ranch near Johnson City, Texas, a home at Lake Tahoe, Nevada, an airplane, and cash and other real estate holdings.

Benson's attorney said his client, after much wrangling and two weeks of mediation, chose to settle the dispute so as to live his remaining time at peace and to relieve himself of a hefty tax burden required on those assets.[61]

References

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Tom Benson

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Thomas Milton Benson Jr. (July 12, 1927 – March 15, 2018) was an American businessman, philanthropist, and sports franchise owner who acquired the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League in 1985, averting their potential relocation to Jacksonville, Florida, and purchased the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association in 2012. Benson built his fortune starting with automobile dealerships in the 1950s, expanding into banking investments that enabled his entry into professional sports ownership. Under his stewardship, the Saints secured eleven playoff berths, six division championships, and victory in Super Bowl XLIV following the 2009 season, marking the franchise's first such triumph. A steadfast supporter of New Orleans, Benson's philanthropy emphasized community rebuilding, especially after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, through initiatives channeled via the Saints, Pelicans, and his charitable foundation, reflecting a commitment to regional resilience and economic vitality. His tenure as owner intertwined business acumen with civic loyalty, transforming struggling franchises into symbols of local pride amid challenges including natural disasters and a high-profile 2015 family succession dispute involving attempts to alter inheritance arrangements.

Early Life and Education

Childhood in New Orleans

Thomas Milton Benson Jr. was born on July 12, 1927, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to working-class parents Thomas Milton Benson Sr., a department store clerk, and Carmelite Marie Pintado Benson, a homemaker. As the eldest of four brothers, Benson grew up in the city's 7th Ward, a densely populated, predominantly working-class neighborhood known for its mix of immigrant and Creole communities during the Great Depression era. This environment exposed him early to economic hardship and the value of self-reliance, shaping his trajectory as a self-made individual without inherited wealth or privilege. Benson attended St. Aloysius High School, a Catholic institution in New Orleans, from which he graduated in 1944. His Catholic upbringing, rooted in the local parish and school system, instilled a strong sense of discipline and moral framework that influenced his lifelong conservatism and commitment to traditional values. Community observers later attributed his relentless work ethic to these formative years in a grind-it-out generational context, where practical survival demanded industriousness amid limited opportunities. Rather than formal academic pursuits, Benson's early lessons in perseverance came from observing his father's steady but modest labor, fostering an intuitive grasp of commerce through real-world necessity rather than theoretical study.

Military service and initial career steps

Following his high school graduation from St. Aloysius College in 1944, Benson enlisted in the U.S. Army toward the end of World War II in 1945, though active combat had concluded by the time of his service. He distinguished himself as the only enlisted man in his unit to complete Officer Candidate School, earning a commission that highlighted his leadership potential amid the discipline of military training. After demobilization, Benson returned to New Orleans and pursued accounting studies at Loyola University New Orleans, graduating in the late 1940s. He entered the workforce in sales roles, initially as a Chevrolet salesman at Cathey Chevrolet dealership in New Orleans, where he honed skills in customer relations and deal-making essential to his future ventures. In 1955, Benson relocated to San Antonio, Texas, entering as a part-owner in a local auto dealership, marking his first stake in the automotive industry through personal initiative rather than inherited wealth or subsidies. By 1962, leveraging accumulated earnings, loans, and calculated risks, he acquired full ownership of that San Antonio dealership—his inaugural independent enterprise—which laid the groundwork for expansion by demonstrating his capacity for self-reliant scaling in a competitive market. This bootstrapped approach, free from venture capital or government backing, underscored the resilience forged in his early military and sales experiences, enabling subsequent growth without reliance on external networks.

Business Career

Automotive dealership empire

Tom Benson began his automotive career in the late 1940s as a bookkeeper and salesman at a Chevrolet dealership in New Orleans, quickly advancing due to his sales acumen. In 1956, he relocated to San Antonio, Texas, to manage and revitalize a struggling Chevrolet dealership as a junior partner under Michael Persia Sr. By 1962, Benson achieved full ownership of his first dealership, Tom Benson Chevrolet, initially acquired from Persia's operation, which served as the foundation for his growing enterprise. This milestone enabled rapid expansion, establishing a multi-dealership organization with outlets in the New Orleans area and South Texas by the early 1960s. Through the 1960s and 1970s, Benson diversified into additional brands and locations across and , leveraging aggressive sales tactics, cost efficiencies, and reinvestment of profits to build operational scale amid varying economic conditions. His dealerships formed the core of his wealth accumulation, employing numerous workers in the New Orleans region and demonstrating the viability of customer-oriented private enterprise before his entry into sports ownership.

Diversification into banking, media, and real estate

In the 1980s, Benson expanded into banking by acquiring several small institutions across the Southern United States, consolidating them under Benson Financial to create a network focused on regional lending and deposits. This move capitalized on his automotive cash flows for targeted acquisitions, emphasizing operational efficiencies in underserved markets rather than speculative expansion. By the mid-1990s, he had taken the entity public before selling it to Norwest Corporation in 1996 for $78 million in stock, yielding significant liquidity without heavy debt reliance during economic uncertainty. Benson's banking foray underscored a of asset-backed growth, generating predictable revenues from and fees that buffered against automotive sector volatility, such as oil price fluctuations affecting Louisiana dealerships. The proceeds from the Norwest sale further bolstered his , enabling prudent diversification without overextension, as evidenced by his avoidance of leveraged buyouts amid the . This financial positioned him to pursue higher-value opportunities, demonstrating a focus on intrinsic value over rapid scaling. Later, Benson ventured into media with the 2008 acquisition of WVUE-TV, New Orleans' Fox affiliate, for $41 million from Emmis Communications amid post-Katrina market dislocations. He structured the deal with local investors to share risks, viewing the station as a platform for content synergies and potential national expansion into radio and television holdings, alongside exploratory film production. In 2017, he sold a majority stake to Raycom Media while retaining influence, extracting value from operational improvements like digital upgrades. These investments prioritized cash-generating media assets over speculative ventures, aligning with his emphasis on sustainable returns. In real estate, Benson targeted undervalued urban properties for redevelopment, acquiring Dominion Tower, New Orleans Centre, and adjacent Superdome-area parcels in September 2009 for revitalization. He rebranded the flagship office tower as Benson Tower, achieving LEED certification as New Orleans' first high-rise green building by 2011 through targeted retrofits that enhanced occupancy and rental yields. This approach focused on location-driven appreciation and low-leverage financing, turning distressed assets into income-producing holdings amid the post-2008 recovery, while maintaining portfolio resilience through diversified occupancy across commercial tenants. Overall, these expansions reflected calculated risk mitigation, leveraging prior sector expertise to build interconnected value chains without diluting core competencies.

Sports Ownership

Acquisition and stewardship of the New Orleans Saints

In 1985, Tom Benson acquired the New Orleans Saints from owner John Mecom Jr. for $70 million, a deal finalized on May 31 after negotiations that addressed Mecom's initial $75 million asking price. The purchase was motivated by Benson's intent to preserve the franchise in New Orleans, as Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards had informed him of the team's imminent relocation to Jacksonville, Florida, amid financial struggles and poor on-field performance. Under Benson's initial stewardship, he prioritized rebuilding the perennial losing team through key personnel hires, including Jim Finks as president and general manager in January 1986, followed by Jim Mora as head coach. These moves contributed to the Saints' first playoff appearance in 1987, ending a streak of futility that included no winning seasons since the franchise's inception in 1967. Benson's operational oversight emphasized fiscal discipline, replacing underperforming staff like coach Bum Phillips post-1985 season and focusing on sustainable management to stabilize the club financially. Benson's tenure saw sustained progress, culminating in the Saints' victory on February 7, 2010, against the by a score of 31-17, marking the franchise's and validating his long-term investments in talent and . Over his ownership, the team achieved 11 playoff berths and six division titles, transforming from a consistent also-ran into a competitive NFL entity. He enhanced fan engagement through personal flair, notably the "Benson Boogie," a celebratory sideline dance with cheerleaders using parasols after victories, which became an iconic tradition starting in the late 1980s and endearing him to supporters. Benson balanced franchise preservation with business imperatives, often criticized for frugality in player contracts to maintain profitability amid NFL salary pressures, though this approach ensured longevity without bankruptcy risks seen in prior ownership. He leveraged relocation threats in negotiations for public subsidies, securing state agreements that provided an estimated $392 million in revenue support through 2025 for Superdome renovations, framing these as essential for operational viability rather than disloyalty to New Orleans. These deals, renegotiated in 2009 amid taxpayer scrutiny, prioritized economic incentives like private investments alongside public funds to modernize facilities and host events such as multiple Super Bowls.

Ownership of the New Orleans Pelicans

In April 2012, Tom Benson purchased the New Orleans Hornets from the for $338 million, with the NBA Board of Governors approving the sale on June 14, 2012. The acquisition followed the league's purchase of the franchise from previous owner in 2010 for $318 million, amid concerns over potential relocation after . Benson's move established him as owner of both New Orleans' NFL and NBA teams, aligning with his strategy of anchoring professional sports in the city without relocation threats. Benson oversaw the rebranding of the team to the , announced on , 2013, and finalized before the 2013–14 , to foster a stronger identity tied to Louisiana's state and maritime heritage. He retained the rights to the "Pelicans" name from a prior minor league baseball team and emphasized the change as a means to deepen community bonds, distinct from the prior "Hornets" moniker associated with Charlotte's history. Under Benson's ownership, the Pelicans committed to infrastructure enhancements, including a 12-year arena lease extension signed in 2012 that incorporated $50 million for revenue-generating upgrades to the Smoothie King Center (formerly New Orleans Arena), such as improved fan amenities and interactive lobby spaces. A 2014 naming rights deal with Smoothie King further stabilized operations, while state funding of nearly $60 million supported additional facility improvements. These investments mirrored Benson's approach with the Saints, prioritizing long-term viability in New Orleans amid NBA salary cap dynamics and revenue sharing. On the court, the franchise experienced modest progress, bolstered by the 2012 draft selection of Anthony Davis as the first overall pick, who anchored multiple playoff appearances from 2015 to 2018. However, chronic injuries and roster inconsistencies limited deeper postseason success, with the team posting winning records in only two seasons during Benson's tenure. Benson's dual-team model emphasized competitive rosters without aggressive spending that risked financial strain, focusing instead on draft development and local retention to sustain fan engagement in a smaller market.

Philanthropy and Community Contributions

Post-Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts

Following Hurricane Katrina's landfall on August 29, 2005, which severely damaged the Louisiana Superdome and displaced much of New Orleans' population, Tom Benson temporarily relocated the New Orleans Saints to San Antonio, Texas, for the 2005 NFL season, leveraging his existing business ties there. Despite signing a lease extension in San Antonio that could have enabled a permanent move, Benson committed to returning the team to New Orleans for the 2006 season, a decision announced in early 2006 amid ongoing city-wide devastation. This choice prioritized the franchise's historical roots over potentially more stable operations elsewhere, complementing strained public recovery initiatives by sustaining a major cultural and economic anchor. Benson maintained team operations to preserve unity, with the Saints playing select 2006 home games in Baton Rouge and the renovated Superdome, which reopened after $225 million in state-led repairs necessitated by Katrina's roof damage and flooding. Through the Saints Hurricane Katrina and Gulf Coast Renewal Funds, Benson and his family facilitated the raising of over $2.5 million for community causes, directing private resources toward rebuilding efforts in the absence of fully functional public infrastructure. The team's return culminated in a sold-out September 25, 2006, home opener at the Superdome against the Atlanta Falcons, drawing widespread attendance that boosted local morale amid population recovery lagging behind pre-Katrina levels. This retention of the Saints generated measurable economic ripple effects, including job preservation in sports-related sectors and increased tourism revenue from game-day activities, which supported broader private-sector revival in a city where GDP contraction exceeded 10% in 2005-2006. Fan engagement metrics reflected sustained growth post-return, with average Superdome attendance rising to over 70,000 per game by 2006—near capacity—correlating with heightened community cohesion during reconstruction. Benson's actions underscored private initiative's role in anchoring professional sports as a recovery catalyst, independent of federal aid delays.

Endowments to education, health, and Catholic institutions

Through the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation, established in 2007, Tom Benson directed substantial endowments toward Catholic educational institutions, prioritizing faith-based programs that emphasize personal responsibility and moral formation. In 2010, Benson pledged $8 million to Loyola University New Orleans, his alma mater, to create the Tom Benson Jesuit Center, aimed at strengthening Jesuit values and social research initiatives. The foundation also contributed $4 million to establish the Tom and Gayle Benson Endowed Scholarship Fund at Loyola, supporting student access to programs fostering ethical leadership and community service. Over three decades, Benson family gifts to Loyola totaled approximately $15 million, including support for the Jesuit Social Research Institute, which focuses on policy analysis promoting family stability and economic self-sufficiency rather than dependency-oriented interventions. Benson's endowments extended to other Catholic educational entities, including $1.5 million to Xavier University of Louisiana in 2017 for scholarships and program enhancement, targeting historically underserved students in STEM and health sciences fields conducive to professional independence. The foundation established the Gayle and Tom Benson Endowed UNCF Scholarship for Louisiana residents pursuing four-year degrees, emphasizing merit-based to underrepresented groups attending institutions that prioritize vocational and entrepreneurial . In San Antonio, Benson donated at least $7 million to his alma mater, St. Anthony Catholic High , and supported the University of the Incarnate Word with gifts bolstering Catholic liberal curricula. These contributions aligned with Benson's preference for institutions integrating Catholic teachings on diligence and charity, yielding measurable outcomes such as sustained enrollment in value-driven programs without notable donor-driven controversies. In health care, Benson's foundation endowed Ochsner Health System with $25 million to advance specialized facilities, including expansions in cardiovascular and oncology services that prioritize patient outcomes and preventive care over expansive welfare frameworks. A further $20 million gift supported cancer research and treatment infrastructure, enabling protocols focused on curative interventions and long-term recovery. These health endowments complemented Catholic institutions like the Oblate School of Theology, which received $15 million from Benson to sustain priestly formation programs emphasizing pastoral care and community resilience. Following Benson's death in 2018, the foundation's trusts have perpetuated these priorities, distributing over $130 million total to Catholic-aligned causes by emphasizing endowments that build institutional capacity for self-sustaining initiatives, such as scholarship endowments yielding annual support without ongoing subsidization. Overall, Benson's targeted giving to these sectors exceeded $100 million through the foundation, favoring entities demonstrably effective in producing graduates and patients equipped for independent contributions to society.

Personal Life

Marriages and family dynamics

Tom Benson married his first wife, Shirley Mae Landry, in 1945; the couple adopted three children—Robert Carter Benson, Jeanne Marie "Tootsie" Benson, and Renee Benson LeBlanc—and remained together until Shirley's death from in 1980. After Shirley's passing, Benson married Grace Marie Trudeau as his second wife; their union lasted until Grace's death from Parkinson's disease on November 18, 2003. Benson wed Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird as his third wife on October 29, 2004, in San Antonio; Gayle, previously married twice, became a significant personal companion and advisor to Benson in his later years, accompanying him in family and social contexts. Benson's family dynamics centered on his adopted daughter Renee from his first marriage and her children, including granddaughter Rita Benson LeBlanc; early involvement of Renee and Rita in familial roles reflected Benson's emphasis on generational continuity, influenced by his devout Catholic faith and priorities for family stability amid growing business responsibilities.

Health decline and death

In the mid-2010s, Benson faced cardiovascular issues, including severe arterial blockages discovered during a medical evaluation that required intervention to prevent heart damage. By early 2018, his health deteriorated further when he was hospitalized on February 16 at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans for flu-like symptoms that developed into a severe case. Benson died on March 15, 2018, at the age of 90 from complications of the flu, passing peacefully at the hospital with his wife, Gayle Benson, by his side. Following his death, Benson's will designated Gayle Benson as the sole beneficiary of his estate, which included control of the New Orleans Saints—valued by Benson at $1.23 billion—and the New Orleans Pelicans, along with other assets totaling billions of dollars. Courts upheld the will's validity against challenges from other family members, confirming the transfer of ownership and assets to Gayle Benson. News of Benson's death prompted widespread tributes from the sports community, with the Saints and Pelicans organizations issuing statements honoring his commitment to New Orleans. Players such as Saints quarterback Drew Brees expressed grief, noting Benson's pivotal role in the franchises' stability. The NFL and NBA commissioners also acknowledged his contributions, while fans gathered outside team facilities to mourn.

Controversies

Stadium negotiations and relocation threats

In the late and early , Benson pressed Louisiana officials for taxpayer subsidies and Superdome renovations to the Saints' financial position, frequently these requests with implicit relocation threats to the stakes. Negotiations faltered repeatedly, including in when Benson state offers as inadequate for long-term viability. By , he suspended lease talks entirely over unresolved disputes, signaling unwillingness to commit without concessions that offset operational costs without personal outlays. Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 displaced the Saints to San Antonio's Alamodome for the season, amplifying Benson's leverage amid the Superdome's damage. In October, reports indicated Benson aimed to void the Superdome lease by classifying it as uninhabitable, opening paths to a San Antonio extension despite his public denials of concrete relocation plans. He fired team executive Arnold Fielkow, a vocal advocate for swift return to New Orleans, heightening perceptions of intent to depart. These maneuvers, while not pursued to permanent relocation, pressured state leaders into concessions, including lease extensions and repair funding to facilitate the team's 2006 homecoming. Benson's tactics drew sharp rebukes from fans and media, who branded them disloyal and exploitative of the post-disaster vulnerability, prioritizing profit over civic ties. Proponents, however, defended the strategy as indispensable for franchise preservation, given Benson's stance against self-funding deficits in a league where owners routinely deploy relocation leverage to secure public infrastructure investments that generate broader economic returns without individual subsidies. The outcome—team retention and Superdome revitalization—ultimately aligned with causal incentives of sports economics, where such negotiations deterred viable alternatives like San Antonio while averting owner insolvency.

Family disputes over assets and succession

In December 2014, Tom Benson sent a letter dated December 27 to his daughter Renee Benson and grandchildren Rita LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc, disowning them, terminating their employment with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans organizations, and revoking their positions in his planned succession for the teams. The letter, consisting of 149 words, stated Benson's intent to redirect inheritance to his wife Gayle Benson, prompting immediate lawsuits from Renee, Rita, and Ryan alleging undue influence by Gayle and questioning Benson's mental capacity due to his age of 87 and prior health issues. The heirs' petitions sought to interdict Benson and block changes to irrevocable trusts established years earlier, which had allocated Saints and Pelicans shares to them; Benson countered with medical evaluations affirming his lucidity and autonomy over private assets. In June 2015, Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Kern Reese ruled Benson mentally competent, dismissing the interdiction request after reviewing testimony, including Benson reading the disownment letter multiple times without distress, and upholding his right to amend succession plans. Benson signed an updated will on July 27, 2015, explicitly excluding Renee, Rita, and Ryan from further inheritance while noting substantial prior gifts to them exceeding hundreds of millions of dollars. Subsequent litigation over trust modifications culminated in a confidential settlement on February 3, 2017, removing team ownership interests from the Renee, Rita, and Ryan trusts, averting a trial. Following Benson's death in March 2018, the 2015 will was probated and upheld, reconfirming the exclusions alongside acknowledgments of earlier financial provisions to the heirs. In March 2023, Renee, Rita, and Ryan opted not to contest Gayle Benson's succession plan for the Saints and Pelicans, effectively resolving challenges to team control despite prior claims of manipulation. Court records emphasized Benson's testamentary capacity, supported by evaluations, over allegations of external influence, prioritizing verified legal autonomy in asset disposition.

Awards, Honors, and Legacy

Recognitions for business and sports achievements

Benson's stewardship of the New Orleans Saints earned him acclaim as the franchise owner during their Super Bowl XLIV championship on February 7, 2010, when the team defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Miami Gardens, Florida. This victory marked the Saints' first NFL title and highlighted his role in stabilizing and elevating the team after acquiring it in 1985. In 2014, Benson was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, recognized for purchasing the Saints and preventing a potential relocation to Jacksonville, Florida, while fostering their competitive resurgence, including multiple playoff appearances and the Super Bowl success. He was posthumously inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, with citations emphasizing his leadership in securing six division titles and 11 playoff berths for the Saints under his ownership. Benson was also enshrined in the New Orleans Saints Ring of Honor in 2018, honoring his foundational contributions to the franchise's on-field achievements and operational continuity. His in the automotive sector was acknowledged with the 50-Year Dealer , reflecting decades of expansion from a single Chevrolet dealership acquired in the 1950s to a multi-state network by the 1960s. In 2017, the for Corporate Growth chapter presented him with its Lifetime Achievement , citing his entrepreneurial growth of dealerships alongside sports investments. Quantitative measures underscore these recognitions: Benson purchased the Saints for approximately $70 million in 1985, and by 2018, the franchise's value had risen to $2 billion, driven by on-field performance and infrastructure commitments under his tenure. Additionally, his $11 million donation to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014 supported facility expansions, resulting in the naming of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, as a tribute to his sports legacy.

Long-term impact on New Orleans and professional sports

Benson's ownership decisions ensured the long-term retention of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans in the city, establishing them as enduring civic institutions that bolstered local identity and economic vitality. By acquiring the Saints in 1985 and thwarting a potential relocation to Jacksonville, Florida, he anchored a franchise that has since generated substantial employment and revenue; for instance, the team's operations in 2008 alone contributed $552.5 million in fiscal impact, supporting 3,968 jobs and $22.1 million in state taxes. Similarly, his 2012 purchase of the then-Hornets (rebranded Pelicans) prevented NBA intervention in ownership, maintaining professional basketball's presence and fostering year-round tourism through games and events that draw visitors contributing to Louisiana's $15.7 billion annual visitor spending economy. These teams' stability has avoided the economic voids experienced in cities like St. Louis after NFL relocations, with private reinvestments—rather than reliance on public subsidies alone—driving sustained public benefits through job creation and hospitality sector growth. Reinvestments under Benson's tenure enhanced the franchises' competitiveness and infrastructure, modeling owner commitment amid challenges like the absence of a Super Bowl repeat after 2009. He committed $25 million toward $40 million in renovations to the Superdome and Smoothie King Center by 2016, improving fan experiences and operational efficiency without displacing teams elsewhere. Such upgrades, including practice facility enhancements, prioritized long-term viability over short-term profits, countering critiques of conservative spending by demonstrably retaining talent and hosting major events that amplify regional tourism—evident in the Saints' role in securing repeated Super Bowls, each injecting hundreds of millions into local economies. This approach underscores causal linkages where owner-driven facility commitments preserved franchises against relocation incentives seen in other markets, yielding cultural cohesion and economic multipliers for New Orleans. Following Benson's death on March 15, 2018, the seamless transition to Gayle Benson's stewardship perpetuated this stability, averting disruptions that could have jeopardized team operations or prompted sales to out-of-state interests. Under her leadership, the franchises continued expansions like the 2025 Ochsner Health sports medicine complex partnership, reinforcing health and performance infrastructure tied to Benson's foundational investments. Her oversight has maintained payroll commitments and community engagements, ensuring the teams' role as economic engines persists, with plans for eventual sale stipulating retention in New Orleans to safeguard these gains. In professional sports broadly, Benson's legacy exemplifies how resolute private ownership can mitigate franchise instability, prioritizing locational fidelity over transient gains and thereby sustaining urban revitalization in host cities.

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