Gayle Benson

Gayle Benson
Born	(1947-01-26) January 26, 1947 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, sports team owner
Years active	–present
Known for	Owner of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans

Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird Benson (born January 26, 1947) is a prominent American entrepreneur and the principal proprietor of the New Orleans Saints (NFL) and the New Orleans Pelicans (NBA). She inherited ownership of both sports franchises following the passing of her husband, Tom Benson, in 2018.

Early life

Born Gayle Marie LaJaunie to Francis J. LaJaunie (1924–2010) and Marie Folse LaJaunie (1924–2010), she was raised in Algiers, New Orleans. Her education included attendance at St. Joseph Academy, St. Anthony, and Holy Name of Mary schools, culminating in her graduation from Martin Behrman High School in 1966.

Gayle’s mother, Marie LaJaunie, significantly contributed to the operational management of Gayle’s interior design business by assisting with scheduling and business affairs. This involvement provided Gayle with early insights into entrepreneurship that influenced her future business pursuits.

Her deep New Orleans heritage combined with her family’s engagement in commerce and civic activities have shaped her methodical approach to leadership and business growth.

Early career

Benson’s professional journey began with roles as a receptionist and secretary while she studied interior design. Later, alongside her second husband, Thomas "T-Bird" Bird, she engaged in acquiring and refurbishing various properties. Following their divorce, she maintained ownership of her interior decorating enterprise, Gayle Bird Interiors, Ltd.

During their first ten years together, Gayle and Thomas Bird renovated approximately one hundred buildings, focusing primarily on the Uptown New Orleans area.

New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans

After Tom Benson’s death, Gayle Benson took over ownership of both the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans.

She ranks among a select group of ten women who own NFL teams, including Sheila Ford Hamp (Detroit Lions), Kim Pegula (Buffalo Bills), Carol Davis (Oakland Raiders), Denise DeBartolo York (San Francisco 49ers), Amy Adams Strunk (Tennessee Titans), Virginia Halas McCaskey (Chicago Bears), Janice McNair (Houston Texans), Jody Allen (Seattle Seahawks), and Dee Haslam (Cleveland Browns).

Within the NBA, Benson is one of five female owners alongside Jody Allen (Portland Trail Blazers), Jeanie Buss (Los Angeles Lakers), Miriam Adelson (Dallas Mavericks), and Ann Walton Kroenke (Denver Nuggets).

Originally, Tom Benson planned to transfer voting stock shares of both teams to his daughter Renee Benson and grandchildren Ryan Benson LeBlanc and Rita Benson LeBlanc. However, on December 27, 2014, he cut ties with them and designated Gayle Benson as his successor.

This change led to legal disputes initiated by his daughter and grandchildren contesting his mental fitness. After an assessment determined Tom Benson was mentally sound, he was allowed to amend his will to pass ownership of the Saints and Pelicans to Gayle Benson.

Labor complaints

Rodney Henry, who served as Tom Benson’s personal assistant, filed a lawsuit accusing Gayle Benson and the New Orleans Saints of racial discrimination and violations of federal labor laws. The complaint claimed that Henry experienced racially insensitive treatment from Gayle Benson. An NFL arbitrator ruled in favor of Henry regarding the labor violations, awarding him compensation for overtime work, contractual dismissal benefits, and legal fees; however, the allegations related to racial discrimination were dismissed by the arbitrator.

Involvement in Archdiocese of New Orleans Sexual Abuse Controversy

During Benson's tenure, the Saints partnered with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans to address the repercussions stemming from widespread sexual abuse allegations involving priests and church staff. These claims led to a multitude of civil lawsuits, exceeding 600 filed within the archdiocese’s bankruptcy proceedings, several criminal convictions, and considerable damage to the church’s reputation. The Saints collaborated extensively with the archdiocese to cultivate favorable media narratives and enhance the public standing of Archbishop Gregory Michael Aymond, including preparing key messaging points on his behalf.

Dixie Brewing Company, LLC

In July 2017, Tom and Gayle Benson completed the acquisition of a controlling interest in Dixie Brewing Co., whose brewery had suffered closure and damage following Hurricane Katrina. On August 7, 2018, Benson revealed plans alongside New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to establish a distribution hub at the former MacFrugal's site located in New Orleans East.

Thoroughbred Racing

Gayle Benson operates G M B Racing, her thoroughbred racing stable, which boasts ownership of notable horses such as 2016 Kentucky Derby entrants Mo Tom and Tom's Ready, along with 2018 competitor Lone Sailor. In 2016, Tom's Ready achieved victories in both the Grade 2 Woody Stephens Stakes and Ack Ack Stakes.

Personal Life

Gayle Benson has been married three times. Her initial marriage to Nace Anthony Salomone (1967–1972) concluded with divorce and annulment. Her second marriage to Thomas "T-Bird" Bird (1977–1987) also ended in divorce.

On October 29, 2004, she wed Tom Benson after their meeting at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. Their marriage continued until his passing in 2018.

To commemorate their tenth anniversary, they renewed their wedding vows on October 22, 2014, at St. Louis Cathedral.

Philanthropy

Gayle and Tom Benson were the principal financiers behind the establishment of the Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, which officially opened its doors on September 1, 2008.

In recognition of their dedication to the Catholic Church, the couple was honored with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice award by Pope Benedict XVI in January 2012.

Later that year, in November 2012, they made a $7.5 million contribution to Tulane University's Yulman Stadium, with the field itself being named Benson Field in their honor.

The Benson family donated $20 million in 2015 to support cancer treatment and research initiatives. Their philanthropic efforts continued in February 2019 when their charitable trust presented Jesuit High School with a $5 million gift—the largest in the institution’s history. The following month, March 2019, they contributed $3.5 million to Second Harvesters Food Bank. Additionally, in September 2019, they gave $1 million to Children's of Mississippi to fund a playground at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

In December 2023, Ochsner Health System revealed plans for a new 343,000-square-foot pediatric hospital named The Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children's Hospital, made possible through a major donation from Gayle Benson.