Gayle Benson

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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 and Marie LaJaunie

Gayle Marie LaJaunie 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]

Professional

Before marrying Tom Benson, Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird Benson "made her living decorating homes and running dental offices."[5][6] She "struggled in business, especially when she ran a business that restored antiques and decorated the inside of homes, commercial buildings and yachts."[7][8] She was frequently sued.[9][10]

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.[11][12] While the estate and Tom Benson's mental competency was being challenged,[13][14][15] a federal lawsuit was filed accusing Gayle Benson and the New Orleans Saints of racism and violations of federal labor laws.[16][17][18][19] Federal court and an NFL arbitrator would rule against Benson and the New Orleans Saints.[20][21][22][23] She became the owner of both the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans following the death of her husband, Tom Benson.[24][25]

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.[26]

In November 2012 Gayle Benson and her husband, Tom, 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.[27]

In 2015 the Benson family gave $20 million for cancer care and research.[28]

Awards and honors

References

  1. ^ 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. ^ "Gayle Benson becomes Saints, Pelicans owner". ProFootballTalk - NBC Sports. March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Hendricks, David (February 12, 2015). "Gayle Benson's past now in the spotlight". expressnews.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Will Gayle Benson be haunted by her past?". The Independent. January 27, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Ley, Tom (January 23, 2015). "Suit: Saints Owner Tom Benson Is Being Manipulated By His Scheming Wife". deadspin.com. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  13. ^ "Tom Benson's kin testify in Saints and Pelicans owner's competency case". ESPN. June 2, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  14. ^ "UPDATE: Judge Orders Tom Benson to Undergo Mental Evaluation". Fox News. January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  15. ^ Martel, Brett (April 2, 2015). "Judge receives Benson psychiatric report, sets hearing". The Washington Times. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  16. ^ "NFL/NBA now have a Donald Sterling problem with Gayle Benson". saintsreport.com. January 19, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  17. ^ Putterman, Alex (January 20, 2016). "Ex-assistant alleges racist comments by Saints owner's wife". MSN. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  18. ^ Triplett, Mike (January 20, 2016). "Rodney Henry alleges racial discrimination against Gayle Benson in suit". ESPN. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "Saints must pay $384K to fired assistant of late owner Tom Benson". USA Today. July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ Triplett, Mike (July 26, 2018). "Saints ordered to pay $400,000 to former assistant of Tom Benson". ESPN. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  23. ^ "Saints ordered to pay $400,000 to former Benson aide". WWL Radio. New Orleans. July 26, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ LaRose, Greg (February 3, 2017). "Tom Benson settles lawsuit with heirs over Saints, Pelicans ownership". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  26. ^ The Times-Picayune: "Tom and Gayle Benson receive highest papal honor for their generosity to Catholic Church" by John Pope January 19, 2012
  27. ^ Tulane's field to be named for Benson – San Antonio Express-News. Mysanantonio.com (2012-11-02). Retrieved on 2013-07-29.
  28. ^ Center, Foundation. "Gayle and Tom Benson Give $20 Million for Cancer Care, Research". philanthropynewsdigest.org. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
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