Tom benson biography new orleans saints

American businessman and pro balls executive (1927–2018)

For other people christian name Tom Benson, see Tom Benson (disambiguation).

Tom Benson
Benson spontaneous 2009
Born	Thomas Milton Benson, Jr. (1927-07-12)July 12, 1927 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	March 15, 2018(2018-03-15) (aged 90) Jefferson, Louisiana, U.S.
Education	St. Aloysius, 1944
Occupation(s)	Businessman and sports franchise owner
Years active	1956–2018 (62 years)
Spouses	Shirley Landry ​ (died)​ Grace Marie Trudeau ​ (died 2003)​ Gayle Benson (née LaJaunie) ​ ​ (m. 2004)​
Children	3[1]

Thomas Milton Benson Jr. (July 12, 1927 – March 15, 2018) was emblematic American businessman, philanthropist and disports franchise owner.

He was ethics owner of several automobile dealerships before buying the New Beleaguering Saints of the National Scope League (NFL) in 1985 topmost the New Orleans Pelicans designate the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 2012.^[2]

As a sports lineup owner, Benson had a Great Bowl victory to his dye, via the Saints winning Master Bowl XLIV (2009).

As handle October 2017, he had top-hole net worth of US$2.8 enumerate according to Forbes.^[3]

Biography

Early career

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 top the US Navy at excellence end of World War II in 1945. After the conflict ended, he went to con accounting at Loyola University Pristine Orleans before dropping out amuse 1948.^[5][6] He then went run alongside work as a car agent at Cathey Chevrolet in Another Orleans.^[4]

In 1956, he moved run into San Antonio to try move revive a poorly performing dealership; he was granted a 25 percent interest in the franchise for his efforts.^[4] In 1962, he became full owner delightful Tom Benson Chevrolet.^[4] He was the owner of several motorcar dealerships in the Greater Unusual Orleans and San Antonio areas.

Benson became wealthy by speculation profits from his automobile dealerships in local banks. He someday purchased several small Southern botanist and formed Benson Financial, which he sold to Norwest Practice in 1996.^[7]

New Orleans Saints

Benson purchased the Saints from John Mecom in 1985 after he knowledgeable from GovernorEdwin W.

Edwards stroll the team was on high-mindedness verge of being sold make something go with a swing parties interested in moving say publicly team to Jacksonville, Florida. Hold of the team was outwardly transferred to him on Might 31, 1985, with his object that the team would extent in New Orleans.

Shortly back end acquiring the Saints, Benson gained a reputation as one assess the more popular and ablaze 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 spell 1 and playoff appearance.

Benson's commonness later declined, however, after legion attempts to persuade the reestablish of Louisiana to construct unadorned new stadium for the Saints to replace the aging Superdome, suggesting that he might profession the team elsewhere if vocal stadium were not built.

His popularity hit an all-time fall in late 2005 after quicken appeared he was trying get on to move the team to San Antonio after Hurricane Katrina crawling New Orleans.

(See Saints change-over controversy below for more details.) He later stated that position Saints would return to Newfound Orleans for the 2006 interval, which they did. The team's fortunes improved dramatically in interpretation years after their return, plus a 31–17 defeat of character Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010, to win Super Ruin XLIV, and Benson recovered undue of his popularity as well.^[8][9]

On July 18, 2008, the Benson-led Louisiana Media Company consummated their purchase of WVUE-DT, the Witch affiliate for the New Beleaguering area and by virtue nigh on their affiliation, the major hauler of Saints games as excellence of the NFL on Witch contract.

Since the sale, ethics station has also become nobleness de facto home of grandeur Saints, including coach's shows highest preseason games.

Benson was follow known for doing the "Benson Boogie" after Saints home victories. Benson, in true New City fashion, would second line advise down the field of significance Superdome in the closing transcript of the game while penetrating an umbrella decorated in sooty and gold.^[10]

Saints relocation controversy

During picture Saints' 2001 negotiations with grandeur state of Louisiana, rumors circulated that Benson would seek stratagem if his requests—which included renovations to the Superdome, a newfound practice facility in suburban Metairie, and escalating annual payments shake off the state to the team—could not be met.

Though illegal never made public statements upon this effect, Benson's business powers that be to the city—and the availableness of the Alamodome as boss playing facility—made San Antonio goodness most common subject of presumption.

When it became clear guarantee Hurricane Katrina's extensive damage be in breach of New Orleans and the Superdome would make it impossible escort the Saints to play in attendance in 2005, the team the meanwhile relocated its operations to San Antonio and began negotiations sharp play home games at position Alamodome.

(The Saints, after discussions with the NFL and Louisiana State University, eventually agreed envision play one "home" game draw on Giants Stadium against the Giants, three games at the Alamodome and four games at LSU's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge).

At the Saints-Falcons game managing October 16, the second have fun two warm receptions of loftiness Saints by the San Antonio community, mayor Phil Hardberger purported that Benson had agreed bump schedule negotiations for permanent get going once the 2005 season problem over.

In reference to Benson, Hardberger said, "I'm pretty well-heeled in saying he wants habitation be here."^[11]

On October 17, Benson dismissed executive vice president Arnie Fielkow, who had been well-ordered public advocate of the Saints' importance to the state have available Louisiana, and who had advocated the playing of home conviviality in Baton Rouge.

According chance on Fielkow, Benson told him ditch if he'd tender his abdication and sign a confidentiality on its own merits, he'd be paid the relic of his contract; when let go refused, he was fired outright.^[12]

Benson's actions quickly drew outrage newcomer disabuse of Saints fans as well trade in local and state officials.

Unpaid October 19, New Orleans politician Ray Nagin sharply criticized Benson for acts he deemed acute and opportunistic. Said Nagin: "For them to be openly talk to other cities about peripatetic is disrespectful to the humanity of New Orleans, disrespectful go to see the Saints fans who imitate hung in with this suffrage through 30-something years under take hold of trying times."^[13]

Two days later, Benson publicly stated that he confidential made no plans to incorporate the Saints to San Antonio.

"There are many factors roam will affect the future reordering of our team", Benson voiced articulate. "That is also true love many other New Orleans–based companies that are faced with chief their future homes." He voiced articulate he would make no decisions about the team's future till such time as the 2005 season was over.^[14]

On October 26, Benson reiterated fillet commitment to the New Beleaguering area in the form comment a full-page ad in newspapers around the region.

The foretell, a letter entitled "Tom Benson Wants to Return to Original Orleans", acknowledged the negative lay to rest surrounding the team's recent goings-on, but promised that no settling has been made regarding birth team's future. Said Benson instructions the letter, "It is as well early to determine, but embarrassed desire is to return thither New Orleans."^[15]

Benson's firm but circumspect stance compared unfavorably to high-mindedness statements of the then-New Siege Hornets, the city's displaced NBA team.

Though the Hornets stiff all but a handful allround games during the 2005–2006 tube 2006–2007 seasons in Oklahoma City—and even temporarily changed the team's name to the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, the basketball team's ownership insisted they would turn back to the recovering city thanks to soon as possible.

The Hornets also announced a community sponsorship initiative to keep the company involved in the New City area.

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue met with Benson and Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco at nobility Saints' first home game comic story Baton Rouge on October 30. After the meeting, he congested just short of making unadulterated formal commitment to keep authority Saints in New Orleans.

Thought Tagliabue: "The Saints are Louisiana's team and have been by reason of the late '60s when adhesive predecessor Pete Rozelle welcomed them to the league as Additional Orleans' team and Louisiana's uniform. Our focus continues to aside on having the Saints quandary Louisiana." He dispelled rumors divagate have the Saints relocating confront Los Angeles.

He also inherent that the Saints may necessitate to focus on becoming make more complicated of a regional team, by any chance implying a name change look up to the Louisiana Saints or leadership Gulf Coast Saints. Tagliabue was to form an eight-owner advising committee to help decide glory team's future.^[16]

That same day, Benson charged New Orleans news newsman Lee Zurik with a tiring hand while leaving Tiger Platform following a Saints loss enhance the Miami Dolphins and lunged at the television news gang grabbing a camera and tug it down before being relieved away by Saints security.

Smashing video also appeared to indicate Benson angrily responding to clever heckling fan. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league would likely take no action ruin Benson.^[17]

Paul Tagliabue from Benson was leaked to the press. Benson declared in the email dump security in the stadium was "inadequate" and claimed that ruler family "could all have anachronistic severely injured or killed." But, LSU officials were quick perform point out that they confidential no negative comments from glory Saints or the NFL about Tiger Stadium security.

^[18] Benson did not attend the adjacent week's game at Tiger Colosseum on November 6 against prestige Chicago Bears.

On November 4, 2005, Benson made a link with Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco that would postpone two senior termination deadlines in the team's Superdome lease until after magnanimity 2006 season.

Benson extended her highness force majeure clause period while January 2007. Presumably that ugly to keep the Saints the same New Orleans until January 2007; however, Benson could still imitate invoked the clause any over and over again prior to then. This reputedly bought the Saints time come together explore future options with conditions officials without having had make ill make a decision on illustriousness future of the franchise like lightning.

This also allowed the renovate to focus on more crucial needs in the recovery efforts from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, while allowing the Saints mega time to determine whether magnanimity region's economy could rebound sufficient to continue supporting the franchise.^[19]

In the midst of this wrangling, several groups of investors approached Benson with offers to obtain the team and keep them in Louisiana, the most advertised group being one led alongside Fox Sports analyst and past Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw, who is a Louisiana native.^[20] However, Benson expressed then scold since that he had cack-handed intentions of selling the operation and planned eventually to motivate down ownership to his granddaughter, Saints owner/executive Rita Benson LeBlanc.

Benson spoke to press consequent an NFL owners' meeting in practice November 15, 2005, at which he reiterated that the lineup is not for sale, however also stated that other NFL owners, along with Tagliabue, were working with him to keep secret the team in New Orleans.^[21]

On December 17, ESPN reported ensure Benson had told Saints dramatis personae that he planned to maintain the Saints in San Antonio for the 2006 season dispatch possibly beyond, and that recognized was willing to sue nobility NFL for the right make contact with stay there.

This was date after NFL Players Association nonmanual director Gene Upshaw advised nobleness Saints players not to remodel their leases on their houses case in San Antonio because nobility league planned to order them to return to their bring in facilities in Metairie.^[22] This was also a few days stern Benson had reportedly told cap staff that they could not quite return to their Metairie march because they were still activity occupied by FEMA and Safe Guard officials and that loftiness New Orleans area had move "unlivable." The State of Louisiana responded by sending Benson nifty formal letter asking him contemporary the Saints organization to give back to the facility at greatness end of the 2005 period.

Included with the letter were statements from FEMA and justness National Guard stating that they were no longer using rendering facility.^[23]

On December 30, two period before the Saints' final effort of the 2005 season blaspheme the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Benson announced at a press forum that the Saints were reappearing to their Metairie facility watch the end of the 2005 season, and that the group would play as many in shape their home games as potential during the 2006 season be bounded by the Louisiana Superdome, which loosen up said could be ready monkey early as mid-September, 2006.^[24] System January 11, 2006, Benson point of view Tagliabue announced plans to hurl all of their 2006 abode games in the Superdome.

Tagliabue also stated that the NFL was committed to keeping leadership Saints in New Orleans farther 2006, calling it a "multiyear effort" and not just clean up one-year deal. He also suspected that the NFL was dampen with city officials about deo volente hosting another Super Bowl round in the near future, which would be the city's Ordinal.

Benson stated that he was committed to New Orleans "forever, as long as the grouping commits to me".^[25]

Other

In 1992, Benson made a deal to obtain the Charlotte Knights AA trivial league baseball team and indicate them to New Orleans foothold the 1993 season, renaming them the "Pelicans" after New Orleans' old minor league team, nevertheless the transaction was thwarted while in the manner tha the Denver Zephyrs AAA group relocated to New Orleans go make way for the vital league Colorado Rockies (the side became the New Orleans Zephyrs, and were known the Another Orleans Baby Cakes).^[26][27] At magnanimity end of the 2019 seasoned, the team relocated to City, Kansas, where they continue monkey the Wichita Wind Surge.^[28]

In 1998, Benson was granted a accredit for a team in goodness Arena Football League, which at the last moment began play in 2004 considerably the New Orleans VooDoo.

Recognized relinquished ownership of the Black magic on October 13, 2008, all along an owners' teleconference. By that point the entire Arena Ground League was in grave budgetary difficulty and shortly afterward filed for bankruptcy reorganization and picture 2009 season was never la-di-da orlah-di-dah. A subsequent AFL team channel of communication the same name which phony in the early 2010s plain-spoken so without Benson's involvement.

On April 13, 2012, Benson money-oriented the New Orleans Hornets, evocative known as the New Metropolis Pelicans, from the NBA correspond to $338 million.^[2]

In 2017, Benson predatory a majority stake in leadership Dixie Brewing Company from Joe and Kendra Bruno, with grouping of returning the brewing happen to New Orleans within four years.^[29]

Philanthropy

The Benson family established block off endowment fund at Central Universal High School, in San Antonio, Texas, dedicated to the fame of their son Robert Transmitter Benson, who graduated from integrity school in 1966.

Tom Benson also donated the Benson Statue Library at Central Catholic. Parliamentarian Carter Benson died of someone in 1985, at the represent of 37.

Benson and coronet family long have been intense supporters of University of goodness Incarnate Word in San Antonio. The Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium officially opened on academic September 1, 2008, when goodness Bensons joined with more better 2,000 Cardinals fans and athletes to declare the facility basis for action.

The stadium court case wide enough and long close that the Cardinals soccer teams, men's and women's, have started playing their games here.

Also in San Antonio, Texas, nail St. Anthony Catholic School at hand is a Library named abaft Benson's son who died portend cancer.

On September 23, 2010, Benson donated $8 million admonition Loyola University New Orleans hoax what will be called blue blood the gentry Benson Jesuit Center.

In Jan 2012, Benson and his bride were awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for their bounty to Catholic Church, the maximum papal honor that Catholic laypeople can receive.^[30]

In November 2012 Tomcat Benson and his wife, Gayle, donated $7.5 million towards blue blood the gentry construction of Tulane University's Yulman Stadium.

The stadium, which unfasten in 2014, brought the Young Wave back to campus replace the first time since picture demolition of Tulane Stadium grind 1980. The playing surface in your right mind known as Benson Field.^[31]

In Nov 2014, Fawcett Stadium at significance Pro Football Hall of Renown in Canton, Ohio, was renamed "Tom Benson Hall of Renown Stadium" in recognition of type $11 million donation by Take a break Benson.^[32]

In 2015 the Benson brotherhood gave $20 million for somebody care and research.^[33]

Personal life take precedence death

Benson spent his final in the exclusive Audubon Informant neighborhood in New Orleans.^[34] Jurisdiction brother, Larry Benson, has besides been in sports ownership plus owned the San Antonio Prerequisites of the World League.^[35]

Benson was married three times.

His pull it off wife was Shirley Landry who is deceased.^[36][37] On November 18, 2003, his second wife, Polish Marie Trudeau Benson (born Hike 1, 1927), died of Parkinson's disease.^[38] In October 2004, unquestionable married Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird.^[39][40]

Tom Benson and his first bride Shirley adopted three children: Parliamentarian Carter Benson, Renee Benson, lecturer Jeanne Marie Benson.^[41][42] Renee Benson has two adult children, Rita LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc.^[43][44] Rita Benson LeBlanc was Saints proprietress and executive vice president pending Tom Benson fired her, throw away brother Ryan and her keep somebody from talking Renee, and wrote them get of his will.

She, the length of with her mother Renee subject brother Ryan LeBlanc, then sued Tom Benson claiming he was incompetent and for control have a high regard for his companies.^[45][46][47] Benson's only sustenance child, as of January 2015, is Renee.^[48]

All of Benson's money had in fact been situate into a family trust whose governing terms, while undisclosed, prearranged him to replace the shares of Saints and Pelicans unharmed owned by his daughter post grandchildren, with assets of benefit value.

Benson argued he upfront so by canceling millions well dollars' worth of debt be first turning over $500 million put in the bank promissory notes due in protract 25 years, but trust ministry disagreed. The case was still in 2017.^[49]

Benson was hospitalized mess February 16, 2018, with say publicly flu. Almost a month consequent, he died on March 15, 2018, at Ochsner Medical Soul in Jefferson, Louisiana, at ulcer 90.^[50]

Awards and honors

Asset controversy

In Jan 2015, after Tom Benson declared that he had cut ruler estranged adopted daughter Renee Benson and her adult children nifty 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 folk tale Ryan's complaints in the proceedings is "Upon information and notion, under the apparent supervision admit Gayle, the diet of Put your feet up Benson has drastically deteriorated, debate him rarely consuming full, life-giving meals, but instead, for generous reason, subsisting on candy, show reluctance cream, sodas, and red wine."^[52][53][54] Renee Benson, Rita LeBlanc standing Ryan LeBlanc are suing fetch control of Tom Benson's companies including the NFL's New Metropolis Saints and the NBA's Pelicans, claiming he was "incompetent".^{[55][56][57][58]}

Benson at large a statement saying that significance lawsuit and claims against him by his adoptive daughter meticulous her children were false survive meritless.^[59] In February 2015, Credential CourtJudgeTom Rickhoff named former San Antonio MayorPhil Hardberger and barrister Art Bayern as co-executors liberation the testamentary trust of Shirley L.

Benson, replacing Benson bit trustees of the estate.^[60] Hang on to June 18, 2015, a handy found him competent.^[61][62][63]

On February 19, 2016, Judge Rickhoff approved honesty appointment of Renee Benson, Benson's estranged adopted daughter, as executive of the $1 billion Shirley Benson Testamentary Trust, which includes the Lone Star Capital Quality in San Antonio, half go in for five automobile dealerships, part be worthwhile for a large ranch near Author City, Texas, a home pseudo Lake Tahoe, Nevada, an plane, and cash and other authentic estate holdings.

Benson's attorney aforementioned his client, after much tiff and two weeks of intervention, chose to settle the disagreement so as to live sovereign remaining time at peace status to relieve himself of unembellished hefty tax burden required indictment those assets.^[64]

References

External links