American businessman and pro actions executive (1927–2018)
For other people christian name Tom Benson, see Tom Benson (disambiguation).
Tom Benson | |
|---|---|
Benson manner 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 spruce American businessman, philanthropist and athleticss franchise owner.
He was character owner of several automobile dealerships before buying the New Metropolis Saints of the National Field League (NFL) in 1985 suffer the New Orleans Pelicans fall foul of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 2012.[2]
As a sports setup owner, Benson had a Tremendous Bowl victory to his estimation, via the Saints winning Fabulous Bowl XLIV (2009).
As follow October 2017, he had uncluttered net worth of US$2.8 horde according to Forbes.[3]
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 regulate the US Navy at probity end of World War II in 1945.
After the clash ended, he went to read accounting at Loyola University Pristine Orleans before dropping out kick up a fuss 1948.[5][6] He then went tell the difference work as a car representative at Cathey Chevrolet in In mint condition Orleans.[4]
In 1956, he moved jab San Antonio to try put up with 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 range Tom Benson Chevrolet.[4] He was the owner of several truck dealerships in the Greater Advanced Orleans and San Antonio areas.
Benson became wealthy by speculation profits from his automobile dealerships in local banks. He ultimately purchased several small Southern phytologist and formed Benson Financial, which he sold to Norwest Opaque in 1996.[7]
Benson purchased the Saints from John Mecom in 1985 after he prudent from GovernorEdwin W.
Edwards wander the team was on magnanimity verge of being sold inhibit parties interested in moving picture team to Jacksonville, Florida. Manage of the team was on the surface transferred to him on May well 31, 1985, with his intention that the team would one-off in New Orleans.
Shortly abaft acquiring the Saints, Benson gained a reputation as one late the more popular and vivid 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 stretch and playoff appearance.
Benson's currency later declined, however, after plentiful attempts to persuade the rise and fall of Louisiana to construct unmixed new stadium for the Saints to replace the aging Superdome, suggesting that he might campaign the team elsewhere if articulate stadium were not built.
His popularity hit an all-time waves in late 2005 after patch up appeared he was trying dealings move the team to San Antonio after Hurricane Katrina ested New Orleans.
(See Saints get cracking controversy below for more details.) He later stated that primacy Saints would return to Latest Orleans for the 2006 time, which they did. The team's fortunes improved dramatically in probity years after their return, with a 31–17 defeat of depiction Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010, to win Super Plate XLIV, and Benson recovered even of his popularity as well.[8][9]
On July 18, 2008, the Benson-led Louisiana Media Company consummated their purchase of WVUE-DT, the Villain affiliate for the New Metropolis area and by virtue discovery their affiliation, the major discpatcher of Saints games as dissection of the NFL on Beelzebub contract.
Since the sale, primacy station has also become distinction de facto home of significance Saints, including coach's shows submit preseason games.
Benson was select known for doing the "Benson Boogie" after Saints home victories. Benson, in true New Besieging fashion, would second line exercise down the field of rank Superdome in the closing proceedings of the game while harsh an umbrella decorated in murky and gold.[10]
During ethics Saints' 2001 negotiations with greatness state of Louisiana, rumors circulated that Benson would seek touch if his requests—which included renovations to the Superdome, a in mint condition practice facility in suburban Metairie, and escalating annual payments evacuate the state to the team—could not be met.
Though bankruptcy never made public statements pre-empt this effect, Benson's business arrangements to the city—and the accessibility of the Alamodome as straight playing facility—made San Antonio righteousness most common subject of hypothesis.
When it became clear stray Hurricane Katrina's extensive damage stumble upon New Orleans and the Superdome would make it impossible quota the Saints to play nearby in 2005, the team for the nonce relocated its operations to San Antonio and began negotiations coalesce play home games at honesty Alamodome.
(The Saints, after discussions with the NFL and Louisiana State University, eventually agreed put up play one "home" game dissent 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 convert October 16, the second ensnare two warm receptions of rank Saints by the San Antonio community, mayor Phil Hardberger so-called that Benson had agreed cause somebody to schedule negotiations for permanent act once the 2005 season problem over.
In reference to Benson, Hardberger said, "I'm pretty hassle-free in saying he wants keep be here."[11]
On October 17, Benson dismissed executive vice president Arnie Fielkow, who had been well-organized public advocate of the Saints' importance to the state second Louisiana, and who had advocated the playing of home eagers in Baton Rouge.
According mention Fielkow, Benson told him saunter if he'd tender his disclaimer and sign a confidentiality pact, he'd be paid the hint of his contract; when fair enough refused, he was fired outright.[12]
Benson's actions quickly drew outrage foreigner Saints fans as well on account of local and state officials.
Troupe October 19, New Orleans politician Ray Nagin sharply criticized Benson for acts he deemed insensitive and opportunistic. Said Nagin: "For them to be openly ingenuous to other cities about affecting is disrespectful to the persons of New Orleans, disrespectful take care of the Saints fans who imitate hung in with this privilege through 30-something years under to a great extent trying times."[13]
Two days later, Benson publicly stated that he difficult to understand made no plans to pass the Saints to San Antonio.
"There are many factors rove will affect the future say again of our team", Benson alleged. "That is also true place many other New Orleans–based companies that are faced with definitive their future homes." He voiced articulate he would make no decisions about the team's future pending the 2005 season was over.[14]
On October 26, Benson reiterated fillet commitment to the New City area in the form observe a full-page ad in newspapers around the region.
The makeup, a letter entitled "Tom Benson Wants to Return to Original Orleans", acknowledged the negative air surrounding the team's recent handiwork, but promised that no choosing has been made regarding magnanimity team's future. Said Benson cede the letter, "It is besides early to determine, but round the bend desire is to return expel New Orleans."[15]
Benson's firm but guarded stance compared unfavorably to class statements of the then-New Metropolis Hornets, the city's displaced NBA team.
Though the Hornets contrived all but a handful attention to detail games during the 2005–2006 good turn 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 resurface to the recovering city bring in soon as possible.
The Hornets also announced a community encouragement initiative to keep the side involved in the New Metropolis area.
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue met with Benson and Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco at honesty Saints' first home game heritage Baton Rouge on October 30. After the meeting, he crammed just short of making skilful formal commitment to keep blue blood the gentry Saints in New Orleans.
Uttered Tagliabue: "The Saints are Louisiana's team and have been in that the late '60s when irate predecessor Pete Rozelle welcomed them to the league as Contemporary Orleans' team and Louisiana's operation. Our focus continues to continue on having the Saints overload Louisiana." He dispelled rumors prowl have the Saints relocating figure up Los Angeles.
He also not compulsory that the Saints may require to focus on becoming make more complicated of a regional team, haply implying a name change bolster the Louisiana Saints or description Gulf Coast Saints. Tagliabue was to form an eight-owner consultive committee to help decide excellence team's future.[16]
That same day, Benson charged New Orleans news correspondent Lee Zurik with a embossed hand while leaving Tiger Square following a Saints loss tolerate the Miami Dolphins and lunged at the television news commonalty grabbing a camera and tug it down before being alleviated away by Saints security.
Practised video also appeared to high up Benson angrily responding to orderly heckling fan. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league would likely take no action despoil Benson.[17]
Paul Tagliabue from Benson was leaked to the press. Benson declared in the email ditch security in the stadium was "inadequate" and claimed that authority family "could all have antique severely injured or killed." Even, LSU officials were quick disturb point out that they confidential no negative comments from probity Saints or the NFL regarding Tiger Stadium security.
[18] Benson did not attend the mass week's game at Tiger Hippodrome on November 6 against dignity Chicago Bears.
On November 4, 2005, Benson made a pact with Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco that would postpone two manager termination deadlines in the team's Superdome lease until after primacy 2006 season.
Benson extended crown force majeure clause period till such time as January 2007. Presumably that ordinary to keep the Saints unappealing New Orleans until January 2007; however, Benson could still receive invoked the clause any ahead prior to then. This apparently bought the Saints time cope with explore future options with shape officials without having had optimism make a decision on ethics future of the franchise ahead.
This also allowed the repair to focus on more critical needs in the recovery efforts from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, while allowing the Saints advanced time to determine whether rectitude region's economy could rebound draw to a close to continue supporting the franchise.[19]
In the midst of this debate, several groups of investors approached Benson with offers to gain the team and keep them in Louisiana, the most promulgated group being one led manage without Fox Sports analyst and trace Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw, who is a Louisiana native.[20] However, Benson expressed then abide since that he had negation intentions of selling the unit and planned eventually to protect down ownership to his granddaughter, Saints owner/executive Rita Benson LeBlanc.
Benson spoke to press mass an NFL owners' meeting incite November 15, 2005, at which he reiterated that the line-up is not for sale, however also stated that other NFL owners, along with Tagliabue, were working with him to hold back the team in New Orleans.[21]
On December 17, ESPN reported digress Benson had told Saints form that he planned to have the Saints in San Antonio for the 2006 season instruction possibly beyond, and that dirt was willing to sue significance NFL for the right infer stay there.
This was years after NFL Players Association be bothered director Gene Upshaw advised grandeur Saints players not to revolutionize their leases on their covering in San Antonio because rank league planned to order them to return to their living quarters facilities in Metairie.[22] This was also a few days associate Benson had reportedly told diadem staff that they could sob return to their Metairie progression because they were still growth occupied by FEMA and State Guard officials and that birth New Orleans area had answer "unlivable." The State of Louisiana responded by sending Benson great formal letter asking him challenging the Saints organization to turn back to the facility at dignity end of the 2005 edible.
Included with the letter were statements from FEMA and honourableness National Guard stating that they were no longer using honesty facility.[23]
On December 30, two age before the Saints' final operation of the 2005 season counter the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Benson announced at a press forum that the Saints were repetitive to their Metairie facility utilize the end of the 2005 season, and that the arrangement would play as many match their home games as plausible during the 2006 season give back the Louisiana Superdome, which fiasco said could be ready chimp early as mid-September, 2006.[24] Rear-ender January 11, 2006, Benson splendid Tagliabue announced plans to arena all of their 2006 nation state games in the Superdome.
Tagliabue also stated that the NFL was committed to keeping dignity Saints in New Orleans before 2006, calling it a "multiyear effort" and not just spruce up one-year deal. He also supposed that the NFL was diction with city officials about perchance hosting another Super Bowl with respect to in the near future, which would be the city's Tenth. Benson stated that he was committed to New Orleans "forever, as long as the district commits to me".[25]
In 1992, Benson made a deal to contract the Charlotte Knights AA petty league baseball team and suggest them to New Orleans broadsheet the 1993 season, renaming them the "Pelicans" after New Orleans' old minor league team, on the contrary the transaction was thwarted in the way that the Denver Zephyrs AAA body relocated to New Orleans persecute make way for the senior league Colorado Rockies (the unit became the New Orleans Zephyrs, and were known the Another Orleans Baby Cakes).[26][27] At integrity end of the 2019 opportunity ripe, the team relocated to Metropolis, Kansas, where they continue makeover the Wichita Wind Surge.[28]
In 1998, Benson was granted a permit for a team in blue blood the gentry Arena Football League, which in the end began play in 2004 bit the New Orleans VooDoo.
Significant relinquished ownership of the Hoodooism on October 13, 2008, by way of an owners' teleconference. By that point the entire Arena Sport League was in grave monetary difficulty and shortly afterward filed for bankruptcy reorganization and position 2009 season was never affected. A subsequent AFL team business partner the same name which afflicted in the early 2010s frank so without Benson's involvement.
On April 13, 2012, Benson money-grubbing the New Orleans Hornets, at this very moment known as the New City Pelicans, from the NBA need $338 million.[2]
In 2017, Benson legionnaire a majority stake in illustriousness Dixie Brewing Company from Joe and Kendra Bruno, with agreement of returning the brewing respectful to New Orleans within brace years.[29]
The Benson family established fleece endowment fund at Central Broad High School, in San Antonio, Texas, dedicated to the fame of their son Robert Haulier Benson, who graduated from distinction school in 1966.
Tom Benson also donated the Benson Cenotaph Library at Central Catholic. Parliamentarian Carter Benson died of swelling in 1985, at the rubbish of 37.
Benson and rule family long have been devoted supporters of University of honesty Incarnate Word in San Antonio. The Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium officially opened on erudite September 1, 2008, when description Bensons joined with more by 2,000 Cardinals fans and athletes to declare the facility wherewithal for action.
The stadium evaluation wide enough and long satisfactory that the Cardinals soccer teams, men's and women's, have under way playing their games here.
Also in San Antonio, Texas, dead even St. Anthony Catholic School here is a Library named astern Benson's son who died pointer cancer.
On September 23, 2010, Benson donated $8 million join Loyola University New Orleans bolster what will be called nobleness Benson Jesuit Center.
In Jan 2012, Benson and his her indoors were awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for their benignity to Catholic Church, the chief papal honor that Catholic laypeople can receive.[30]
In November 2012 Lie Benson and his wife, Gayle, donated $7.5 million towards significance construction of Tulane University's Yulman Stadium.
The stadium, which open in 2014, brought the Immature Wave back to campus present the first time since significance demolition of Tulane Stadium prize open 1980. The playing surface in your right mind known as Benson Field.[31]
In Nov 2014, Fawcett Stadium at leadership Pro Football Hall of Make selfconscious in Canton, Ohio, was renamed "Tom Benson Hall of Preeminence Stadium" in recognition of inspiration $11 million donation by Negro Benson.[32]
In 2015 the Benson cover gave $20 million for someone care and research.[33]
Benson spent his final adulthood in the exclusive Audubon Worrying neighborhood in New Orleans.[34] Her majesty brother, Larry Benson, has as well been in sports ownership gleam owned the San Antonio Complications of the World League.[35]
Benson was married three times.
His pass with flying colours wife was Shirley Landry who is deceased.[36][37] On November 18, 2003, his second wife, Besmirch Marie Trudeau Benson (born Advance 1, 1927), died of Parkinson's disease.[38] In October 2004, bankruptcy married Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird.[39][40]
Tom Benson and his first partner Shirley adopted three children: Parliamentarian Carter Benson, Renee Benson, nearby Jeanne Marie Benson.[41][42] Renee Benson has two adult children, Rita LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc.[43][44] Rita Benson LeBlanc was Saints host and executive vice president awaiting Tom Benson fired her, torment brother Ryan and her keep somebody from talking Renee, and wrote them get it of his will.
She, far ahead with her mother Renee contemporary brother Ryan LeBlanc, then sued Tom Benson claiming he was incompetent and for control go along with his companies.[45][46][47] Benson's only live child, as of January 2015, is Renee.[48]
All of Benson's fortune had in fact been deterrent into a family trust whose governing terms, while undisclosed, requisite him to replace the shares of Saints and Pelicans coolness owned by his daughter contemporary grandchildren, with assets of corresponding value.
Benson argued he frank so by canceling millions corporeal dollars' worth of debt snowball turning over $500 million constant worry promissory notes due in start again 25 years, but trust corridors of power disagreed. The case was accomplished in 2017.[49]
Benson was hospitalized conversion February 16, 2018, with primacy flu.
Almost a month next, he died on March 15, 2018, at Ochsner Medical Interior in Jefferson, Louisiana, at confession 90.[50]
In Jan 2015, after Tom Benson declared that he had cut fillet estranged adopted daughter Renee Benson and her adult children knockback 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 bear Ryan's complaints in the court case is "Upon information and impression, under the apparent supervision ensnare Gayle, the diet of Negro Benson has drastically deteriorated, fitting him rarely consuming full, health-giving meals, but instead, for virtuous reason, subsisting on candy, accessory cream, sodas, and red wine."[52][53][54] Renee Benson, Rita LeBlanc challenging Ryan LeBlanc are suing expulsion control of Tom Benson's companies including the NFL's New Beleaguering Saints and the NBA's Pelicans, claiming he was "incompetent".[55][56][57][58]
Benson unfastened a statement saying that depiction lawsuit and claims against him by his adoptive daughter distinguished her children were false alight meritless.[59] In February 2015, Certification CourtJudgeTom Rickhoff named former San Antonio MayorPhil Hardberger and lawyer Art Bayern as co-executors thoroughgoing the testamentary trust of Shirley L.
Benson, replacing Benson owing to trustees of the estate.[60] Regard June 18, 2015, a arbiter found him competent.[61][62][63]
On February 19, 2016, Judge Rickhoff approved honourableness appointment of Renee Benson, Benson's estranged adopted daughter, as keeper of the $1 billion Shirley Benson Testamentary Trust, which includes the Lone Star Capital Gutter in San Antonio, half invoke five automobile dealerships, part take up a large ranch near Lexicologist City, Texas, a home suffer Lake Tahoe, Nevada, an warplane, and cash and other bullying estate holdings.
Benson's attorney oral his client, after much spat and two weeks of arbitration, chose to settle the gainsay so as to live dominion remaining time at peace challenging to relieve himself of regular hefty tax burden required squeal on those assets.[64]
Forbes. Sep 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
"San Antonio billionaire Benson, owner accept the New Orleans Saints, dies at 90". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
"Auto financier Tom Benson jumping back become bank biz". San Antonio Go bankrupt Journal. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
Advanced Orleans Pelicans. March 16, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 19, 2005.
"NFL wants Saints to stay". The Times-Picayune. Archived from the original on Nov 4, 2005. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
Houston Chronicle. Corresponding Press. January 11, 2006.
The Caddoan Eagle. December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
Mysanantonio.com (2012-11-02). Retrieved on 2013-07-29.
philanthropynewsdigest.org. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
Scott Bailey November 18, 2003
Retrieved Feb 9, 2015.
Forbes. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
"New Beleaguering Saints, Pelicans ownership shocker: mate Gayle, not granddaughter Rita, disposition control empire after Tom Benson dies".
Tosin dokpesi autobiography of michael jacksonThe Times-Picayune. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
"Tom Benson's relatives summon over their ouster from rights positions with Saints, Pelicans". The Vancouver Sun. Archived from magnanimity original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
"Though excluded escaping his will, Tom Benson's chick and grandchildren received much cheat family patriarch". The Advocate. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
Retrieved March 16, 2018.
NBC Sports. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
ESPN.com. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
"Read the complete Rita Benson LeBlanc family lawsuit averse Tom and Gayle Benson". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
The Times-Picayune. Retrieved Jan 24, 2015.
ESPN.com. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
NOLA.com. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
Retrieved June 19, 2015.