Tom Benson

Tom Benson
Born	(1927-07-12) 12 July 1927 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	15 March 2018(2018-03-15) (aged 90) Jefferson, Louisiana, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, philanthropist, sports team owner
Known for	Owner of New Orleans Saints (NFL) and New Orleans Pelicans (NBA)

Thomas Milton Benson Jr. (July 12, 1927 – March 15, 2018) was a prominent American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and owner of professional sports teams. Before acquiring the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) in 1985 and later the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 2012, he operated several automobile dealerships.

During his tenure as owner, the Saints achieved a milestone by winning Super Bowl XLIV in 2009.

By October 2017, Forbes valued Benson's fortune at approximately US$2.8 billion.

Early career

A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Benson was born to Thomas Milton Benson Sr. and Carmen Pintado. He completed his education at St. Aloysius in 1944 before enlisting in the US Navy in 1945 during the closing phase of World War II. Following his military service, he earned an accounting degree from Loyola University New Orleans in 1948 and promptly entered the automotive sales sector at Cathey Chevrolet in New Orleans.

In 1956, Benson moved to San Antonio to turn around a struggling dealership, earning a 25% ownership stake for his efforts. By 1962, he had acquired full ownership of Tom Benson Chevrolet. Over time, he expanded his portfolio to include multiple dealerships within both the Greater New Orleans area and San Antonio.

Benson increased his wealth by reinvesting profits from his dealerships into regional banks, eventually acquiring several small Southern financial institutions and establishing Benson Financial. This financial enterprise was sold to Norwest Corporation in 1996.

New Orleans Saints

In 1985, after being informed by Governor Edwin W. Edwards that the Saints were close to being sold to buyers intent on relocating the franchise to Jacksonville, Florida, Benson purchased the team from John Mecom. The ownership transfer occurred on May 31, 1985, accompanied by Benson’s pledge to keep the Saints in New Orleans.

Following his acquisition of the team, Benson earned a reputation as a charismatic and well-liked owner. He appointed GM Jim Finks and head coach Jim Mora, guiding the Saints to their inaugural winning season and playoff berth.

Nevertheless, Benson’s standing suffered due to persistent efforts to convince Louisiana officials to finance a new stadium to replace the aging Superdome, coupled with veiled threats of moving the franchise if these demands were not met. His image deteriorated further after Hurricane Katrina in late 2005 when it seemed he intended to relocate the team to San Antonio. Ultimately, he confirmed the Saints would resume play in New Orleans for the 2006 season. The team’s performance improved markedly afterward, culminating in their Super Bowl XLIV championship on February 7, 2010—an achievement that helped rehabilitate Benson’s reputation.

On July 18, 2008, Louisiana Media Company—owned by Benson—acquired WVUE-DT, New Orleans’ Fox affiliate and primary broadcaster for Saints games under the NFL on Fox contract. Since then, WVUE has served as the unofficial media hub for Saints-related programming including coach’s shows and preseason matchups.

Benson was also recognized for performing the "Benson Boogie," a celebratory second-line dance on the Superdome turf following home victories—a gesture reflecting his embrace of New Orleans culture.

During negotiations with Louisiana in 2001 regarding stadium improvements—including Superdome renovations, construction of a practice facility in Metairie, and increased state funding—rumors circulated that Benson might relocate if these conditions were unmet. Following Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of the Superdome in 2005, the team temporarily moved operations to San Antonio. Although Benson entertained discussions about making this move permanent, he faced criticism after dismissing executive VP Arnie Fielkow for opposing relocation plans.

Despite publicly denying intentions to move the franchise permanently, Benson engaged in difficult talks with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Governor Kathleen Blanco in October 2005. Subsequently, on November 4, he extended the Saints’ lease at the Superdome amid investor efforts aimed at retaining the team in Louisiana.

Although initially announcing that the Saints would remain in San Antonio for the 2006 season, Benson later reversed course and confirmed their return to New Orleans within that year.

Other

In 1992, Benson sought to purchase the Charlotte Knights AA baseball franchise with plans to move the team to New Orleans and rename them the "Pelicans." However, this acquisition was thwarted when the Denver Zephyrs AAA club relocated to New Orleans to make room for the major league Colorado Rockies. This franchise became known as the New Orleans Zephyrs (later rebranded as the Baby Cakes) before moving in 2019 to Wichita, Kansas, where they became the Wichita Wind Surge.

Benson obtained a license for an Arena Football League franchise in 1998, which debuted in 2004 as the New Orleans VooDoo. He divested his ownership stake in 2008 amid the league’s financial difficulties and bankruptcy proceedings. Subsequently, another AFL team with the same name operated independently of Benson.

On April 13, 2012, Benson acquired the New Orleans Hornets (currently called the New Orleans Pelicans) from the NBA for $338 million.

In 2017, Benson took a controlling interest in the Dixie Brewing Company, with intentions to restart brewing operations in New Orleans within a two-year timeframe.

Philanthropy

The Benson family created an endowment at Central Catholic Marianist High School in San Antonio, Texas, to honor their son Robert Carter Benson, a 1966 alumnus who passed away from cancer in 1985. Additionally, Tom Benson contributed to the establishment of the Benson Memorial Library at Central Catholic.

They have been significant benefactors of University of the Incarnate Word, sponsoring the Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, which opened in 2008 for soccer and football events.

At San Antonio’s St. Anthony Catholic School, a library bears the name of their late son.

In 2010, Benson donated $8 million to Loyola University New Orleans to support the creation of the Benson Jesuit Center.

Tom and Gayle Benson were honored in 2012 with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, the highest papal recognition awarded to laypersons, acknowledging their extensive contributions to the Catholic Church.

That same year, they pledged $7.5 million toward construction of Tulane University’s Yulman Stadium, which opened in 2014; its playing field was named Benson Field in their honor.

Following an $11 million contribution by Benson in 2014, Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame was renamed "Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium."

In 2015, the family provided $20 million dedicated to cancer treatment and research programs.

Personal life and death

Benson spent his later years residing in New Orleans’ prestigious Audubon Place neighborhood. His brother Larry Benson also had involvement in sports ownership through his tenure with the San Antonio Riders of the World League.

He was married three times: first to Shirley Landry (now deceased), followed by Grace Marie Trudeau Benson, who succumbed to Parkinson’s disease in 2003. In October 2004, he wed Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird.

Tom and Shirley Benson adopted three children: Robert Carter Benson, Renee Benson, and Jeanne Marie Benson. Renee has two adult children—Rita LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc. Rita held positions as Saints owner and executive vice president until Tom Benson removed her, Ryan, and their mother Renee from team roles as well as from his will. They subsequently initiated legal action disputing control over his enterprises. As of January 2015, Renee remained his only surviving child.

Benson transferred all his assets into a family trust governed by undisclosed provisions requiring that Saints and Pelicans stock held by his daughter and grandchildren be exchanged for assets of equal value. He asserted compliance through debt cancellation and transferring $500 million in promissory notes; however, trust administrators contested this claim. The conflict was resolved by 2017.

After being hospitalized with influenza on February 16, 2018, Benson passed away on March 15, 2018, at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, Louisiana, at age 90.

Awards and honors

• Champion of Super Bowl XLIV as the owner of the New Orleans Saints
• Recipient of the 2010 Best Team ESPY Award as Saints owner
• The Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium at University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas named to honor him and his wife
• The football field at Tulane University's Yulman Stadium in New Orleans designated "Benson Field" in his recognition
• Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio carries his name
• A statue commemorating him stands outside the stadium named after him in Canton, Ohio
• The Tom Benson School located in Kenner, Louisiana bears his name

Asset controversy

In January 2015, after Tom Benson excluded his estranged adopted daughter Renee Benson and her children from his will, they initiated legal action accusing him of incompetence and undue influence exerted by his wife, Gayle. The lawsuit alleged that under Gayle’s care, Benson’s diet had declined significantly, consisting largely of sweets, ice cream, soft drinks, and red wine. Renee along with her children, Rita Benson LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc, sought control over Benson's business interests including the NFL's New Orleans Saints and NBA's Pelicans.

Benson refuted these allegations as baseless and unfounded. In February 2015, Probate Court Judge Tom Rickhoff appointed former San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger and attorney Art Bayern as co-executors for Shirley L. Benson’s testamentary trust, effectively replacing Benson as trustee.

On June 18, 2015, a judicial ruling affirmed Benson’s competence to oversee the Saints and Pelicans operations. Subsequently, on February 19, 2016, Judge Rickhoff designated Renee Benson as administrator of the $1 billion Shirley Benson Testamentary Trust, which encompasses Lone Star Capital Bank, car dealerships, ranch property near Johnson City, Texas, a residence at Lake Tahoe, an aircraft, among other assets.

According to Benson's legal counsel, following mediation and ongoing litigation, he opted for a settlement to achieve personal tranquility and to minimize tax liabilities on these holdings.