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*[[Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium]] in [[San Antonio|San Antonio, Texas]] ([[University of the Incarnate Word]]) named in her (and her husband's) honor
*[[Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium]] in [[San Antonio|San Antonio, Texas]] ([[University of the Incarnate Word]]) named in her (and her husband's) honor
<br>
{{New Orleans Saints}}


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 22:53, 6 August 2018

For the British socialite, see Gale Benson.
Gayle Marie Benson
Born
Gayle Marie LaJaunie

(1947-01-26) January 26, 1947 (age 77)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Businesswoman and sports franchise owner
Years active2018–present (as New Orleans Saints owner)
2018–present (as New Orleans Pelicans owner)
Known forPrincipal owner of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 2004; died 2018)​
Thomas "T-Bird" Bird
​
​
(divorced, annulled 1986)​
[1]
Children3 (2 deceased)[2]
Parent(s)Francis J. LaJaunie (January 5, 1924-July 18, 2010) and Marie LaJaunie

Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird Benson (born January 26, 1947) is an heir to the estate of Tom Benson and his widow.[3] She became an American billionaire, businesswoman, philanthropist, and sports franchise owner after the death of her husband, Tom Benson. She inherited from Tom Benson two sports franchises and is the owner of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) and New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA).[4][5][6]

Personal life

Gayle Benson was born Gayle Marie LaJaunie.[7] She "grew up in Algiers, New Orleans; attended St. Joseph, St. Anthony and Holy Name of Mary schools; and graduated from Martin Behrman High School in 1966."[7] She has been married three times. The first marriage "happened when she was 19 and ended in both a divorce and annulment the following year."[7] The second marriage was a result of befriending "two young children whose mother 'was on drugs' and whose father was just as troubled, and she ended up marrying" their father, Thomas "T-Bird" Bird.[7][1][8] She describes the second marriage as "miserable" and said "she divorced the man after his children were grown."[7] The engagement to Tom Benson was announced on September 23, 2004, and on October 29, 2004, Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird married Tom Benson in San Antonio at the Immaculate Conception Memorial Chapel.[9][10][11] On October 22, 2014, Gayle Benson and Tom Benson, commemorated their tenth anniversary by renewing their wedding vows at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans.[12][13][14]

Professional

Gayle Bird Interiors Ltd.

Before marrying Tom Benson, Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird Benson "made her living decorating homes and running dental offices."[15][16][7] She started working as an interior designer in the 1970s[17] and "struggled in business, especially when she ran a business that restored antiques and decorated the inside of homes, commercial buildings and yachts."[18][19] She was frequently sued[20][21][22][23] and was arrested and charged with theft of furniture from one client. The district attorney decided not to prosecute.[24] "Prior to meeting Tom Benson, Gayle was in significant debt."[25][26] She was financially unstable "with one bank beginning foreclosure proceedings on her then-Uptown home. She had both state and federal tax liens against her business for failure to pay taxes."[24][27]

New Orleans Saints

On December 27, 2014, Tom Benson wrote an e-mail to his daughter and two grandchildren stating he wanted "no further contact with any of you." Gayle Benson, at the time his wife of ten years, was named his hier.[28][29] After lawsuits were filed in both federal and state courts, Tom Benson was determined to be mentally competent and was allowed to change his estate and leave his third wife, Gayle Benson, ownership of the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans.[30][31][32] While the estate and Tom Benson's mental competency was being challenged,[33][34][35][36][37][38] a federal lawsuit was filed accusing Gayle Benson and the New Orleans Saints of racism and violations of federal labor laws.[39][40][41][42] Federal court and an NFL arbitrator ruled against Benson and the New Orleans Saints.[43][44][45][46][47][48] She became the owner of both the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans following the death of her husband, Tom Benson.[49][50][51]

Philanthropy

Benson and her 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.

In January 2012, Benson and her husband were awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for their generosity to Catholic Church, the highest papal honor that Catholic laypeople can receive.[52][53]

In November 2012 Gayle Benson and her husband, Tom, donated $7.5 million towards the construction of Tulane University's Yulman Stadium.[54] 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.[55][56]

In 2015 the Benson family gave $20 million for cancer care and research.[57][58]

Awards and honors


References

  1. ^ a b Vargas, Ramon (February 3, 2015). "New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner, 87, sued by daughter and grandchildren after turning over control of his billion-dollar sports empire to third wife who, they claim, has poisoned him against family". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Tom Benson & family". Forbes. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  3. ^ Gill, James (August 2, 2018). "James Gill: Behind the scenes of the Benson family dispute over who would get the money". The Advocate. Baton Rouge. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  4. ^ "Tom Benson's will names Gayle Benson as sole beneficiary, leaves estranged family out". The Times-Picayune. March 17, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  5. ^ Allee-Walsh, Brian (June 1, 2018). "First Lady of Sports in New Orleans making her presence felt early and often". SunHerald. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  6. ^ "Gayle Benson becomes Saints, Pelicans owner". ProFootballTalk - NBC Sports. March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Vargas, Ramon (March 15, 2018). "Plan is for Gayle Benson to succeed Tom Benson as Saints, Pelicans owner". The New Orleans Advocate. New Orleans. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  8. ^ Vargas, Ramon (May 26, 2015). "Gayle Benson tells graduates that life will always be difficult — but it's manageable with a steady faith". The New Orleans Advocate. New Orleans. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  9. ^ Cooper, Tim (October 28, 2004). "Second Thoughts". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock. p. 24.
  10. ^ "Sport Check". The Sun Herald. Biloxi, MS. October 22, 2004. p. D2.
  11. ^ Farmer, Sam (February 2, 2005). "Champs Demand Respect". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. Retrieved February 2, 2005.
  12. ^ Wing, Tyler (October 22, 2014). "Tom and Gayle Benson say, "I do" Again!". ABC WGNO. New Orleans. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  13. ^ Strachan, Sue (October 23, 2014). "Gayle and Tom Benson renew their wedding vows in celebration of their 10th anniversary". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  14. ^ "Ten Years Later, Saints Owners Tom and Gayle Benson say "I Do" Again". Fox Sports. October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  15. ^ Vargas, Ramon (March 15, 2018). "Plan is for Gayle Benson to succeed Tom Benson as Saints, Pelicans owner". The Advocate. Baton Rouge. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  16. ^ Wright, Jasmine (July 3, 2015). "'When your family attacks you, it's kind of hard to take': Aging New Orleans Saint's owner and billionaire Tom Benson, 87, speaks out after cutting his family from $1.9 billion fortune". ethiogrio.com. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  17. ^ "Gayle Benson - Forbes". Forbes. May 21, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  18. ^ Vargas, Ramon (February 3, 2015). "New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner, 87, sued by daughter and grandchildren after turning over control of his billion-dollar sports empire to third wife who, they claim, has poisoned him against family". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  19. ^ Hendricks, David (February 12, 2015). "Gayle Benson's past now in the spotlight". expressnews.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  20. ^ Vargas, Ramon (February 1, 2015). "Future Saints, Pelicans owner Gayle Benson's 18 lawsuits might raise eyebrows among NFL, NBA". The Advocate. Baton Rouge. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  21. ^ "Will Gayle Benson be haunted by her past?". The Independent. January 27, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  22. ^ Slese, April (January 27, 2015). "A Compendium of Gayle Benson's Interior Design Advice". Vox Media, Inc. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  23. ^ "First City Court, New Orleans, Lawsuits, Jeanne S. Duhe (CPA) vs. Gayle Bird". The Times-Picayune. June 30, 1988. p. G14.
  24. ^ a b "Saints owner Tom Benson fires back at family". USA Today. January 27, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  25. ^ "Rita Benson LeBlanc, Family Files Lawsuit, Claims Tom Benson Being Manipulated". ABC KATC. Lafayette, LA. January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  26. ^ Hiatt, Gabe (January 22, 2015). "Spurned daughter, grandchildren sue Saints owner for writing them out of will". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  27. ^ "Attorney fires back at Saints/Pels owner's heirs". WWL-TV. New Orleans. January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  28. ^ "Saints owner suddenly spikes grandchildren, hands team to wife". New York Post. January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  29. ^ Zurik, Lee (January 23, 2015). "Benson family drama, told in letters and court filings". FOX WVUE. New Orleans. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  30. ^ Vargas, Ramon (July 27, 2018). "Outbursts in court, secret recordings, more: Inside look at Tom Benson family's legal battle". The Advocate. Baton Rouge. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  31. ^ Ley, Tom (January 23, 2015). "Suit: Saints Owner Tom Benson Is Being Manipulated By His Scheming Wife". deadspin.com. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  32. ^ "Benson: Estranged heirs tried to kill me 'for one thing'". NBC WDSU. New Orleans. May 21, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  33. ^ Gatto, Matt (June 29, 2016). "Gayle Benson testifies in husband's competency hearing". NBC WFIE. Evansville, IN. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  34. ^ "Tom Benson's kin testify in Saints and Pelicans owner's competency case". ESPN. June 2, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  35. ^ "UPDATE: Judge Orders Tom Benson to Undergo Mental Evaluation". Fox News. January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  36. ^ Martel, Brett (April 2, 2015). "Judge receives Benson psychiatric report, sets hearing". The Washington Times. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  37. ^ Mackel, Travers (June 24, 2015). "Renee Benson, Rita and Ryan LeBlanc file appeal in Tom Benson competency case". NBC WDSU. New Orleans. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  38. ^ "Tom Benson talks to WVUE FOX 8 on camera for 1st time since lawsuit". FOX WVUE. New Orleans. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  39. ^ "NFL/NBA now have a Donald Sterling problem with Gayle Benson". saintsreport.com. January 19, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  40. ^ Putterman, Alex (January 20, 2016). "Ex-assistant alleges racist comments by Saints owner's wife". MSN. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  41. ^ Triplett, Mike (January 20, 2016). "Rodney Henry alleges racial discrimination against Gayle Benson in suit". ESPN. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  42. ^ Fitzgerald, Matt (January 19, 2016). "Tom Benson's Former Assistant Accuses Benson's Wife of Racial Discrimination". Turner Sports and Entertainment Network. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  43. ^ "Saints must pay $384K to fired assistant of late owner Tom Benson". USA Today. July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  44. ^ Vargas, Ramon (July 26, 2018). "New Orleans Saints ordered to cough up $400K in dispute with Tom Benson's former personal aide". The Advocate. Baton Rouge. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  45. ^ Triplett, Mike (July 26, 2018). "Saints ordered to pay $400,000 to former assistant of Tom Benson". ESPN. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  46. ^ "Saints ordered to pay $400,000 to former Benson aide". WWL Radio. New Orleans. July 26, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  47. ^ "Fired assistant to late Saints owner awarded more than $384K". The Times-Picayune. July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  48. ^ Martel, Brett (July 26, 2018). "Fired assistant to late Saints owner awarded more than $384K". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  49. ^ Finney, Peter (March 16, 2018). "New Orleans Saints' first lady Gayle Benson has come a long way as a fan". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  50. ^ LaRose, Greg (February 3, 2017). "Tom Benson settles lawsuit with heirs over Saints, Pelicans ownership". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  51. ^ "Gayle Benson, New Orleans Saints". Sports Illustrated. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  52. ^ The Times-Picayune: "Tom and Gayle Benson receive highest papal honor for their generosity to Catholic Church" by John Pope January 19, 2012
  53. ^ Goldstein, Richard (March 15, 2018). "Tom Benson, Tycoon Who Danced With His Saints, Dies at 90". The New York Times. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  54. ^ Strecker, Mike (November 1, 2012). "Tulane names new football venue Yulman Stadium". Tulane University New Wave. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  55. ^ Tulane's field to be named for Benson – San Antonio Express-News. Mysanantonio.com (2012-11-02). Retrieved on 2013-07-29.
  56. ^ "Tulane stadium, field, club seats to honor donors". NBC WDSU. New Orleans. January 27, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  57. ^ Center, Foundation. "Gayle and Tom Benson Give $20 Million for Cancer Care, Research". philanthropynewsdigest.org. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  58. ^ Ahmed, Michael (November 10, 2015). "Benson family donates historic $20 million to Ochsner Cancer Institute". ABC WGNO. New Orleans. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
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