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{{Short description|American businesswoman (born 1947)}}
{{multiple|
{{For|the British model|Gale Benson}}
{{POV|date=May 2018}}
{{refimprove BLP|date=May 2018}}
{{use American English|date=September 2018}}
{{use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird Benson
| name = Gayle Benson
| image =
| image = File:Benson-headshot.jpg
| image_upright =
| alt = Benson in 2018
| image_size =
| caption = Benson in 2018
| birth_name = Gayle Marie LaJaunie
| alt =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1947|1|26}}
| caption =
| birth_place = [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], U.S.
| birth_name = Gayle Marie LaJaunie
| death_date =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1947|1|26}}
| death_place =
| birth_place = [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], U.S.
| death_date =
| education =
| occupation = Businesswoman and [[Professional sports league organization|sports franchise]] owner
| death_place =
| known_for = Principal owner, [[New Orleans Saints]] and [[New Orleans Pelicans]]
| death_cause =
| resting_place =
| spouse = {{Plainlist|
{{marriage |Nace Solomone
| residence =
|1967-04-08 |1972-02-11 |end=divorced }}<ref name="salomone">{{cite court |litigants=Nace Anthony Solomone v. Gayle La Jaunie Solomone |vol= |reporter=Case No. 129-740, Division "A" |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=La. 24th J.D.C. |date=March 16, 1972 | quote=On or about August 11, 1970, defendant, Gayle LaJaunie oSalomone, abandoned petitioner by moving out of the matrimonial domicile without lawful cause and since that date has constantly refused to return and/or live with petitioner.}}</ref><br/>
| education =
{{marriage |Thomas Bird |1977-02-14 |1987-06-25 |end=divorced }}<ref Name="birddivorce">{{ cite court |litigants=Gayle LaJauine Bird v. Thomas Sinnott Bird, Sr. |vol= |reporter=Case No. 86-16643, Section "K," Division "2" |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans |date=June 25, 1987 }}</ref><br/>
| alma_mater =
{{marriage|[[Tom Benson]]|2004|2018|end=died}} }}
| occupation = Businesswoman and [[Professional sports league organization|sports franchise]] owner
| years_active = {{Plainlist|
| parents =
| website =
* 2018–present (as [[New Orleans Saints]] owner)
* 2018–present (as [[New Orleans Pelicans]] owner)
}}
| known_for = Principal owner of the [[New Orleans Saints]] and [[New Orleans Pelicans]]
| networth = US$2.8 billion (October 2017)<ref name="forbes">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/tom-benson/|title=Tom Benson & family|author=|date=|website=[[Forbes]]|accessdate=10 April 2018}}</ref>
| nationality =
| spouse = {{Plainlist|
* {{Marriage|[[Tom Benson]]|2004|2018|reason=d}}
* {{marriage |Thomas "T-Bird" Bird | |1986 |end=divorced, annulled}}<ref name="DailyMail1">{{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |date=February 3, 2015 |title=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 |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2936687/Billionaire-s-wife-center-family-feud-NFL-NBA-fortune-amassed-trail-debt-met-husband-87-cut-children-given-control-empire-her.html |work=Daily Mail |location=London |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}</ref>
}}
| children = 3 (2 deceased)<ref name="forbes" />
| parents = {{Plainlist|
* Francis J. LaJaunie (January 5, 1924–July 18, 2010)
* Marie Folse LaJaunie (1924-May 30, 2010)<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publication-date=June 1, 2010 |title=Marie LaJaunie, Benson's mom-in-law |quote=Marie LaJaunie, the mother-in-law of New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, died Sunday at her [[New Orleans]] home. She was 85. Her daughter Gayle, who married Benson in October 2004, said Mrs. LaJaunie was "dedicated to children and children's causes." "She had a passion for life," Tom Benson said. "She lived a full life, and she will be sorely missed by us all." A lifelong New Orleanian who grew up in [[Algiers, New Orleans|Algiers]], Mrs. LaJaunie met Francis LaJaunie, the man she would marry, when they attended [[Adolph Meyer]] Elementary School. She had to withdraw before high school because her mother had died and she had to raise her younger brother and sister. When her daughter Gayle had an interior-design firm, Mrs. LaJaunie helped her run the business side of the enterprise, and she assisted in designing and scheduling. Survivors include her husband, Francis LaJaunie; a son, Wayne LaJaunie; two daughters, Gayle Benson and Brenda LaJaunie; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral and burial will be private. |newspaper=The Times-Picayune |location=New Orleans |page=B3 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publication-date=June 4, 2010 |title=Funeral Notice - LaJaunie |quote=Marie Folse LaJaunie passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2010 under the care of hospice at Chateau Living Center in Kenner, LA at the age of 85. She is survived by her husband Francis LaJaunie; three children; Gayle Benson, Wayne LaJaunie, and Brenda (Bee) LaJaunie Ernst; four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Marie was a devout Catholic with a special devotion to the [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Blessed Mother]]. Marie was an auxiliary member of the [[Legion of Mary]] for eight years. She was a parishioner of Divine Mercy in Kenner, LA. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Memorial Mass at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. (in Metairie Cemetery) on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 12:00 PM. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. until service time. Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to a hospice of your choice or masses preferred. To sign and view the Family Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com. |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=New Orleans |work= |page= }}</ref>
}}
| website =
}}
}}


'''Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird Benson''' (born January 26, 1947) is an heir to the estate of [[Tom Benson]] and his widow.<ref name="Heir">{{cite news |last=Gill |first=James |date=August 2, 2018 |title=James Gill: Behind the scenes of the Benson family dispute over who would get the money |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/opinion/james_gill/article_62beb61c-94d3-11e8-91a6-b77df6859107.html |work=The Advocate |location=Baton Rouge |access-date=August 2, 2018 }}</ref> She became an [[Americans|American]] [[billionaire]], [[Businessperson|businesswoman]], [[Philanthropy|philanthropist]], and [[Professional sports league organization|sports franchise]] owner after the death of her husband, Tom Benson on March 15, 2018. She inherited from Tom Benson two [[Professional sports league organization|sports franchises]] and is the principal owner of the [[New Orleans Saints]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL) and [[New Orleans Pelicans]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA).<ref name="Heir2">{{cite web |url=https://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2018/03/tom_benson_will.html |title=Tom Benson's will names Gayle Benson as sole beneficiary, leaves estranged family out |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=March 17, 2018 |website=nola.com |publisher=[[The Times-Picayune]] |access-date=March 17, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sunherald.com/sports/nfl/new-orleans-saints/brian-allee-walsh/article212398934.html |title=First Lady of Sports in New Orleans making her presence felt early and often |last=Allee-Walsh |first=Brian |date=June 1, 2018 |website=sunherald.com |publisher=[[Sun Herald|Sun Herald]] |access-date=June 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gayle Benson becomes Saints, Pelicans owner |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/03/15/gayle-benson-becomes-saints-pelicans-owner/ |work=ProFootballTalk - NBC Sports |date=March 15, 2018 |accessdate=March 15, 2018}}</ref> As heir to the [[New Orleans Saints]] and New Orleans Pelicans, Tom Benson made Gayle the first woman to be the majority shareholder of the voting stock in a NFL and NBA franchise.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_db121a4e-389d-5623-ae30-f3432f020fbb.html |title=Tom Benson ups ante in proposal to take Saints, Pelicans out of estranged heirs' trust |last1=White |first1=Jaquetta |last2=Vargas |first2=Ramon Antonio |display-authors=2 |date=February 3, 2015 |website=theadvocate.com |publisher=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The New Orleans Advocate]] |access-date=February 3, 2015 |quote=Benson's lawyers also said for the first time this week that the entirety of the teams do not reside in those trusts. Attorney Paul Cordes said the various trusts contain 95 percent of the shares of Benson Basketball, the holding company for the Pelicans of the NBA. The trusts also contain 60 percent of the shares of Benson Football, the holding company for the NFL's Saints. The remaining shares are held by Tom Benson, who controls all of the voting shares in both companies. Holders of nonvoting shares typically have little or no voice on corporate matters. Such shares are usually granted to individuals who are willing to invest in the company's profitability and success without receiving voting rights in the company's direction.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sayre |first1=Katherine |last2=Grimm |first2=Andy |display-authors=2 |publication-date=March 12, 2015 |title=Benson hits back with new lawsuit - Stock in Saints, Pelicans would be stripped from trust funds |quote=Benson has maintained complete control of the Saints and Pelicans franchises by keeping all the voting shares and moving only non-voting shares into family trusts. He has 40 percent of the Saints, while his heirs' trusts contain 60 percent. The trusts own 95 percent of the Pelicans, with Benson owning only 5 percent -- though his portion constitutes all the Pelicans' voting shares. The lawsuit lays out what Tom Benson is seeking to remove from the trusts: All shares in a group of companies known as the Zelia entities, which hold interests in Benson Tower, Champions Square, Jefferson Parish real estate for Benson auto dealerships, a surface parking lot at Claiborne Avenue and Poydras Street, and other assets in Texas. All shares in Benson Football, Benson Basketball, which are the holding companies for the Saints and Pelicans. All shares in Bensco, a holding company for interests in Benson's San Antonio area dealerships and other assets. According to the lawsuit, Benson is swapping those $556 million in assets for: Real estate in Blanco County, Texas, of unspecified value. Canceled debt the trusts owe Benson totaling $94.5 million. More than $450 million in promissory notes. |newspaper=Times-Picayune |location=New Orleans |page=A1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://whodatdish.com/2018/08/10/saints-honor-tom-benson-helmet-jersey-patches/ |title=Saints honoring Tom Benson with helmet and jersey patches |last=Anderson |first=Roy |date=August 10, 2018 |website=whodatdish.com |publisher=FanSided Inc. |access-date=August 10, 2018}}</ref>
'''Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird Benson''' (born January 26, 1947) is an American businesswoman who is the owner of the [[New Orleans Saints]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL) and the [[New Orleans Pelicans]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). She became the principal owner of the Saints and Pelicans following the death of her husband, [[Tom Benson]], in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sunherald.com/sports/nfl/new-orleans-saints/brian-allee-walsh/article212398934.html |title=First Lady of Sports in New Orleans making her presence felt early and often |last=Allee-Walsh |first=Brian |date=June 1, 2018 |website=sunherald.com |publisher=Sun Herald |access-date=June 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gayle Benson becomes Saints, Pelicans owner |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/03/15/gayle-benson-becomes-saints-pelicans-owner/ |work=ProFootballTalk - NBC Sports |date=March 15, 2018 |access-date=March 15, 2018}}</ref><ref name="White1">{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_db121a4e-389d-5623-ae30-f3432f020fbb.html|title=Tom Benson ups ante in proposal to take Saints, Pelicans out of estranged heirs' trust|last1=White|first1=Jaquetta|last2=Vargas|first2=Ramon Antonio|date=February 3, 2015|website=theadvocate.com|publisher=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The New Orleans Advocate]]|access-date=February 3, 2015|quote=Benson's lawyers also said for the first time this week that the entirety of the teams do not reside in those trusts. Attorney Paul Cordes said the various trusts contain 95 percent of the shares of Benson Basketball, the holding company for the Pelicans of the NBA. The trusts also contain 60 percent of the shares of Benson Football, the holding company for the NFL's Saints. The remaining shares are held by Tom Benson, who controls all of the voting shares in both companies. Holders of nonvoting shares typically have little or no voice on corporate matters. Such shares are usually granted to individuals who are willing to invest in the company's profitability and success without receiving voting rights in the company's direction.}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Early life==
She was born Gayle Marie LaJaunie, the daughter of Francis J. LaJaunie (January 5, 1924 – July 18, 2010), and Marie Folse LaJaunie (1924 – May 30, 2010).<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=June 1, 2010 |title=Marie LaJaunie, Benson's mom-in-law |quote=Marie LaJaunie, the mother-in-law of New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, died Sunday at her [[New Orleans]] home. She was 85. Her daughter Gayle, who married Benson in October 2004, said Mrs. LaJaunie was "dedicated to children and children's causes." "She had a passion for life," Tom Benson said. "She lived a full life, and she will be sorely missed by us all." A lifelong New Orleanian who grew up in [[Algiers, New Orleans|Algiers]], Mrs. LaJaunie met Francis LaJaunie, the man she would marry, when they attended [[Adolph Meyer]] Elementary School. She had to withdraw before high school because her mother had died and she had to raise her younger brother and sister. When her daughter Gayle had an interior-design firm, Mrs. LaJaunie helped her run the business side of the enterprise, and she assisted in designing and scheduling. Survivors include her husband, Francis LaJaunie; a son, Wayne LaJaunie; two daughters, Gayle Benson and Brenda LaJaunie; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral and burial will be private. |newspaper=The Times-Picayune |location=New Orleans |page=B3 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=June 4, 2010 |title=Funeral Notice - LaJaunie |quote=Marie Folse LaJaunie passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2010 under the care of hospice at Chateau Living Center in Kenner, LA at the age of 85. She is survived by her husband Francis LaJaunie; three children; Gayle Benson, Wayne LaJaunie, and Brenda (Bee) LaJaunie Ernst; four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Marie was a devout Catholic with a special devotion to the [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Blessed Mother]]. Marie was an auxiliary member of the [[Legion of Mary]] for eight years. She was a parishioner of Divine Mercy in Kenner, LA. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Memorial Mass at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. (in Metairie Cemetery) on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 12:00 PM. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. until service time. Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to a hospice of your choice or masses preferred. To sign and view the Family Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com. |newspaper=The Times-Picayune |location=New Orleans }}</ref>
Gayle Benson was born Gayle Marie LaJaunie.<ref name="Plan1" /> She "grew up in [[Algiers, New Orleans]]; attended [[St. Joseph Academy (New Orleans)|St. Joseph]], St. Anthony and Holy Name of Mary schools; and graduated from Martin Behrman High School in 1966."<ref name="Plan1" /> 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."<ref name="Plan1" /> 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.<ref name="DailyMail1" /><ref name="Plan1" /><ref name="Graduates">{{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |date=May 26, 2015 |title=Gayle Benson tells graduates that life will always be difficult — but it's manageable with a steady faith |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/education/article_6d9e4ca9-6e28-5d9f-8f65-302c7a52781a.html |work=The New Orleans Advocate |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=May 26, 2015 }}</ref> Thomas Bird is a former [[New Orleans]] [[Police officer|police officer]]<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publication-date=May 3, 1968 |title=Police Reports: Motorist Arrested in Tow Truck Dispute |quote=Police mechanic Thomas Bird, 22, had ticketed the car and was preparing to tow it away when the arrested man *** walked up and pushed him away, according to police. |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |work= |page=25, § 3 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publication-date=June 29, 1971 |title=29 Are Arrested On Drug Charges |quote=Patrolmen Clarence Herkender and Thomas Bird of the tactical unit arrested... |newspaper=The States-Item Advocate |location=[[New Orleans]] |work= |page=8 }}</ref> and an [[Detective|investigator]] for [[Harry Connick Sr.]], former [[District attorney|District Attorney]] for [[New Orleans]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Katz |first=Allan |publication-date=March 29, 1974 |title=Connick names 50 aides; 15 served with Garrison |quote=Investigator ... Thomas Bird ... |newspaper=The States-Item |location=[[New Orleans]] |work= |page=A2 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Ed |publication-date=December 30, 1975 |title=Clerk Suspends Employe in Bribery Case |quote=After Boyd accepted the money, he called into his office DA Investigator Thomas Bird to arrest the woman. If convicted on the charges, *** faces a maximum jail term of five years or a $1,000 fine. |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |work= |page=1 }}</ref> a [[Real estate development|developer]] and [[General contractor|contractor]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= |title=T-Bird Construction Inc. |url=https://www.manta.com/c/mmd2nmx/t-bird-construction-inc |work=Manta Media Inc. |location= |access-date=August 10, 2018 }}</ref> She describes the second marriage as "miserable" and said "she divorced the man after his children were grown."<ref name="Plan1" />


She grew up in [[Algiers, New Orleans]], and attended [[St. Joseph Academy (New Orleans)|St. Joseph]], St. Anthony and Holy Name of Mary schools. She graduated from Martin Behrman High School in 1966.<ref name="Plan1" /><ref name="TP20041029">{{cite news|title=This time, the Benson boogie will be down a church aisle: A winning team|last=Pope|first=John|date=2004-10-29|work=The Times-Picayune|location=New Orleans|pages=A1, A13|quote=In the beginning was the word, and the word was from the Book of Acts, and it was read by a soft-spoken brunette at an early Mass in April in St. Louis Cathedral. In the congregation was the recently widowed Tom Benson, who asked to be introduced to Gayle Bird after the 7:30 a.m. service. They spoke, and Benson invited her, through his assistant, to join him at a VooDoo game -- he owns the arena football franchise -- on Mother's Day. ... Margarita Bergen, the French Quarter gallery owner, not only wore Saints colors -- gold top, long black skirt -- but also had dusted her eyelids and cheeks with gold. 'It's gold, gold everywhere,' she said, gesturing broadly as she air-kissed her way through the crowd. ... Bird, who describes herself as a native of Algiers 'before it was fashionable,' graduated from Martin Behrman High School. She has built a successful business, Gayle Bird Creations, designing interiors not only for homes but also offices and hotels, as well as exquisitely coordinated Christmas trees.}}</ref><ref>{{cite interview|last=Benson|first=Gayle|subject-link=Gayle Benson|interviewer=[[Angela Hill (journalist)|Angela Hill]]|title=Angela Hill One on One with Gayle Benson|url=http://media.wwl.com/a/81602851/10-2-3-10p-angela-hill-one-on-one-with-gayle-benson.htm|access-date=2013-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926002255/http://media.wwl.com/a/81602851/10-2-3-10p-angela-hill-one-on-one-with-gayle-benson.htm|archive-date=2018-09-26|url-status=dead|publisher=WWL-FM Radio|location=New Orleans|date=2013-10-02|quote=HILL: Your life took a magnificent turn -- almost nine years ago when -- you met Tom. And we want to hear all about this sort of fairy tale life I think we envisioned for you but before that I think people would be very interested to know. That you're. You grew up on the West Bank and your you're a Marrero girl. BENSON: Algiers. HILL: Algiers. Excuse me. BENSON: Before it was fashionable. HILL: Oh I see. [Hill and Benson start to laugh] HILL: Talk to us about growing up.}}</ref>
When Gayle first met Tom Benson, she admits the only reason she was interested in meeting him was to get a [[Donation|donation]] for a [[Church (building)|church]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Langenhennig |first=Susan |publication-date=October 25, 2014 |title=Saintly splendor - A historic [[mansion]] becomes a regal haven for Gayle Benson and her husband, Tom - Calling the plays Gayle Benson draws from her own playbook to renovate the Bensons' Uptown mansion |quote=When I met him in church, the only thing I was interested in was getting a donation for the cathedral. |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |work= |page=A12 }}</ref><ref>{{cite interview |last=Benson |first=Gayle |subject-link=Gayle Benson |interviewer=[[Angela Hill]] |title=Angela Hill One on One with Gayle Benson |quote=And offering me tickets to the arena football game. And then he -- did you know what arena football was? No, I really didn't. And the Monsignor had called me and said you know Tom Benson is looking for your phone number do you mind if I give it out? I said 'Why would he call me?' He said 'he wants to give you some tickets to the game.' And I said 'well you know I am really not a football person so I am really not interested in getting tickets for a game.' He said 'you know Gayle we are working on that roof and you are trying to raise money, you might want to go.' |url=http://media.wwl.com/a/81602851/10-2-3-10p-angela-hill-one-on-one-with-gayle-benson.htm |publisher=[[WWL-FM|WWL]] Radio |location=[[New Orleans]] |date=October 2, 2013 |work= |access-date=October 2, 2013 }}</ref> She first met Tom Benson at [[St._Louis_Cathedral_(New_Orleans)|St. Louis Cathedral]] after she participated in a mass in memory of his late wife, Grace Marie Trudeau Benson, who died on November 17, 2003.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Benson |first=Gayle |subject-link=Gayle Benson |interviewer=[[Angela Hill]] |title=Angela Hill One on One with Gayle Benson |url=http://media.wwl.com/a/81602851/10-2-3-10p-angela-hill-one-on-one-with-gayle-benson.htm |publisher=[[WWL-FM|WWL]] Radio |location=[[New Orleans]] |date=October 2, 2013 |work= |access-date=October 2, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nola.com/homegarden/index.ssf/2014/10/at_home_with_tom_and_gayle_ben_1.html|title=At home with Tom and Gayle Benson: A historic mansion becomes a regal home for the New Orleans Saints owner|last=Langenhennig|first=Susan|date=October 22, 2014|work=NOLA.com|access-date=August 7, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publication-date=November 19, 2003 |title=Saints owner Benson's wife, Grace, dies |newspaper=The Baton Rouge Advocate |location=Baton Rouge |work= |page= }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Arkansas1">{{cite news |last=Cooper |first=Tim |publication-date=October 28, 2004 |title=Second Thoughts |newspaper=[[Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]] |location=[[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]] |work= |page=24 }}</ref><ref name="SportCheck">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publication-date=October 22, 2004 |title=Sport Check |newspaper=[[Sun Herald]] |location=[[Biloxi, Mississippi]] |work= |page=D2 }}</ref><ref name="Marriage1">{{cite news |last=Farmer |first=Sam |date=February 2, 2005 |title=Champs Demand Respect |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2005/feb/02/sports/sp-patrep2 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |location=[[Los Angeles]] |access-date=February 2, 2005 }}</ref> On October 22, 2014, Gayle Benson and her husband commemorated their tenth anniversary by renewing their [[Marriage vows|wedding vows]] at [[St._Louis_Cathedral_(New_Orleans)|St. Louis Cathedral]] in [[New Orleans]].<ref name="Wing">{{cite news |last=Wing |first=Tyler |date=October 22, 2014 |title=Tom and Gayle Benson say, "I do" Again! |url=https://wgno.com/2014/10/22/tom-and-gayle-benson-say-i-do-again/ |work=ABC [[WGNO]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=October 22, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Strachan">{{cite news |last=Strachan |first=Sue |date=October 23, 2014 |title=Gayle and Tom Benson renew their wedding vows in celebration of their 10th anniversary |url=https://www.nola.com/society/index.ssf/2014/10/gayle_and_tom_benson_renew_the.html |work=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=October 23, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="FoxSports">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=October 23, 2014 |title=Ten Years Later, Saints Owners Tom and Gayle Benson say "I Do" Again |url=https://www.foxsports.com/southwest/story/ten-years-later-saints-owners-tom-and-gayle-benson-say-i-do-again-102314 |work=[[Fox Sports]] |location= |access-date=October 23, 2014 }}</ref>


==Professional==
==Career==
===Gayle Bird Interiors Ltd.===
===Early career===
Benson began her career in receptionist and secretarial positions while doing interior design before buying and renovating businesses with her second husband, Thomas "T-Bird" Bird. Following their divorce, Benson continued an interior decorating business called Gayle Bird Interiors, Ltd.<ref name="Plan1">{{cite news|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_c5f40552-17e7-11e8-adb9-a73ba21f7728.html|title=Plan is for Gayle Benson to succeed Tom Benson as Saints, Pelicans owner|last=Vargas|first=Ramon|date=2018-03-15|work=The New Orleans Advocate|access-date=March 15, 2018|location=New Orleans}}</ref><ref name="Wright1">{{cite news |last=Wright |first=Jasmine |date=2015-07-03 |title='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 |url=https://www.ethiogrio.com/news/world-news/19654-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.html |work=ethiogrio.com |access-date=2018-01-26 }}</ref>
Before marrying Tom Benson, Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird Benson "made her living decorating homes and running dental offices" and ran an interior decorating business.<ref name="Plan1">{{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |date=March 15, 2018 |title=Plan is for Gayle Benson to succeed Tom Benson as Saints, Pelicans owner |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_c5f40552-17e7-11e8-adb9-a73ba21f7728.html |work=The New Orleans Advocate |location=New Orleans |access-date=March 15, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="PlanSucceed">{{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |date=March 15, 2018 |title=Plan is for Gayle Benson to succeed Tom Benson as Saints, Pelicans owner |url=http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_c5f40552-17e7-11e8-adb9-a73ba21f7728.html |work=The Advocate |location=Baton Rouge |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Wright1">{{cite news |last=Wright |first=Jasmine |date=July 3, 2015 |title='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 |url=https://www.ethiogrio.com/news/world-news/19654-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.html |work=ethiogrio.com |location= |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}</ref> She started working as an [[Interior design|interior designer]] in the 1970s<ref name="Forbes1">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=May 21, 2018 |title=Gayle Benson - Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/gayle-benson/ |work=Forbes |location= |access-date=May 21, 2018 }}</ref> and "struggled in business, especially when she ran a business that restored antiques and decorated the inside of homes, commercial buildings and yachts."<ref name="DailyMail3">{{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |date=February 3, 2015 |title=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 |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2936687/Billionaire-s-wife-center-family-feud-NFL-NBA-fortune-amassed-trail-debt-met-husband-87-cut-children-given-control-empire-her.html |work=Daily Mail |location=London |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Hendricks1">{{cite news |last=Hendricks |first=David |date=February 12, 2015 |title=Gayle Benson's past now in the spotlight |url=https://www.expressnews.com/business/local/article/Gayle-Benson-s-past-now-in-the-spotlight-6078267.php |work=[[San Antonio Express-News]] |location=[[San Antonio, Texas]] |access-date=June 26, 2018 }}</ref> She was frequently sued<ref name="Independent">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Will Gayle Benson be haunted by her past? |url=http://theind.com/article-20052-will-gayle-benson-be-haunted-by-her-past-.html |work=The Independent |location= |date=January 27, 2015 |access-date=June 26, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Slese">{{cite news |last=Slese |first=April |date=January 27, 2015 |title=A Compendium of Gayle Benson's Interior Design Advice |url=https://nola.curbed.com/2015/1/27/9998446/a-compendium-of-gayle-bensons-interior-design-advice |work=Vox Media, Inc. |location= |access-date=January 27, 2015 }}</ref> and was arrested and charged with theft of furniture from one client. The district attorney declined to prosecute.<ref name="FireBack">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=January 27, 2015 |title=Saints owner Tom Benson fires back at family |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/saints/2015/01/27/tom-benson-new-orleans-saints-owner-family/22434499/ |work=[[USA Today]] |location=[[McLean, Virginia]] |access-date=January 27, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="GayleBensonBusiness">{{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |date=February 1, 2015 |title=Future Saints, Pelicans owner Gayle Benson's 18 lawsuits might raise eyebrows among NFL, NBA |quote=Police arrested her and booked her with theft over $500. The Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office ultimately declined to prosecute Benson. |url=http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_02a8d850-e6f6-549a-ae77-8fa5169d74dd.html |work=The Advocate |location=Baton Rouge |access-date=June 26, 2018 }}</ref> In the first ten years, Gayle and her then-husband Thomas Bird, renovated one hundred properties.<ref>{{cite news |last=Roniger |first=Marjorie |publication-date=June 22, 1985 |title=Decorator lives in showcase, will see home after renovation |quote='We have renovated over 100 properties and in the past 10 years we lived in five houses.' interior designer Gayle Bird said. 'We will sell this one too when it's finished,' she added referring to her 1819 Victorian home at 1702 Valance St. in Uptown New Orleans. It was gutted and renovated in the past year, by Bird and her husband, Thomas Bird. |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune|The Times-Picayune/The States-Item]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |work= |page=20 }}</ref><ref>{{ cite news |last=Stuary |first=Lettice |date=May 9, 1982 |title=The Inside Story |work=Times-Picayune: Dixie Magazine |location=New Orleans |page=22 |quote=Bird and her husband have bought, renovated, decorated and sold about 100 houses in Uptown New Orleans. Among her interior design clients are broadcasters [[Angela Hill]] and Garland Robinette and P.M. Magazine host Lee Sinclair. "When anyone calls me to redo a room, the first question I ask is how much she's got to spend," says Bird. "That way we don't have to waste time looking at $50-a yard fabric when she wants to spend $20." }}</ref> "Prior to meeting Tom Benson, Gayle was in significant debt."<ref name="KATC">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 22, 2015 |title=Rita Benson LeBlanc, Family Files Lawsuit, Claims Tom Benson Being Manipulated |url=http://www.katc.com/story/27917552/rita-benson-leblanc-files-lawsuit-claims-tom-benson-being-manipulated?clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass |work=ABC KATC |location=Lafayette, LA |access-date=January 22, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="Hiatt">{{cite news |last=Hiatt |first=Gabe |date=January 22, 2015 |title=Spurned daughter, grandchildren sue Saints owner for writing them out of will |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2015/01/22/spurned-daughter-grandchildren-sue-saints-owner-for-writing-them-out-of-will/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.290332515578 |work=The Washington Post |location= |access-date=January 22, 2015 }}</ref> 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."<ref name="FireBack" /><ref name="Fires2">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 28, 2015 |title=Attorney fires back at Saints/Pels owner's heirs |quote=Gayle Bird, her previous married name, was on financially shaky ground at one point, 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. All of her debts have since been settled. |url=https://www.wwltv.com/article/sports/nfl/saints/attorney-fires-back-at-saintspels-owners-heirs/289-153653201 |work=[[WWL-TV]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=January 28, 2015 }}</ref>

In the first ten years, Gayle and her then-husband Thomas Bird, renovated one hundred properties.<ref>{{cite news |last=Roniger |first=Marjorie |date=1985-06-22 |title=Decorator lives in showcase, will see home after renovation |quote='We have renovated over 100 properties and in the past 10 years we lived in five houses.' interior designer Gayle Bird said. 'We will sell this one too when it's finished,' she added referring to her 1819 Victorian home at 1702 Valance St. in Uptown New Orleans. It was gutted and renovated in the past year, by Bird and her husband, Thomas Bird. |newspaper=The Times-Picayune/The States-Item |location=New Orleans |page=20 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Stuary |first=Lettice |date=1982-05-09 |title=The Inside Story |work=Times-Picayune: Dixie Magazine |location=New Orleans |page=22 |quote=Bird and her husband have bought, renovated, decorated and sold about 100 houses in Uptown New Orleans. Among her interior design clients are broadcasters [[Angela Hill (journalist)|Angela Hill]] and [[Garland Robinette]] and P.M. Magazine host Lee Sinclair. 'When anyone calls me to redo a room, the first question I ask is how much she's got to spend,' says Bird. 'That way we don't have to waste time looking at $50-a yard fabric when she wants to spend $20.'}}</ref>


===New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans===
===New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans===
Benson became the owner of both the Saints and Pelicans following the death of her husband Tom.<ref name="Fan">{{cite news |last=Finney |first=Peter |date=2018-03-16 |title=New Orleans Saints' first lady Gayle Benson has come a long way as a fan |url=https://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2009/08/new_orleans_saints_first_lady.html |work=The Times-Picayune |location=New Orleans |access-date=2018-06-26 }}</ref>
Tom Benson had planned on [[Bequest|bequeathing]] the voting stock shares of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans to his daughter, grandson, and granddaughter [[Rita Benson LeBlanc]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_db121a4e-389d-5623-ae30-f3432f020fbb.html|title=Tom Benson ups ante in proposal to take Saints, Pelicans out of estranged heirs' trust|last1=White|first1=Jaquetta|last2=Vargas|first2=Ramon Antonio|date=February 3, 2015|website=theadvocate.com|publisher=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The New Orleans Advocate]]|access-date=February 3, 2015|quote=Benson's lawyers also said for the first time this week that the entirety of the teams do not reside in those trusts. Attorney Paul Cordes said the various trusts contain 95 percent of the shares of Benson Basketball, the holding company for the [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]] of the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]. The trusts also contain 60 percent of the shares of Benson Football, the holding company for the [[National Football League|NFL's]] [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]]. The remaining shares are held by Tom Benson, who controls all of the voting shares in both companies. Holders of nonvoting shares typically have little or no voice on corporate matters. Such shares are usually granted to individuals who are willing to invest in the company's profitability and success without receiving voting rights in the company's direction.|display-authors=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Benson hits back with new lawsuit - Stock in Saints, Pelicans would be stripped from trust funds|last1=Sayre|first1=Katherine|newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]]|last2=Grimm|first2=Andy|location=[[New Orleans]]|publication-date=March 12, 2015|page=A1|quote=Benson has maintained complete control of the Saints and Pelicans franchises by keeping all the voting shares and moving only non-voting shares into family trusts. He has 40 percent of the Saints, while his heirs' trusts contain 60 percent. The trusts own 95 percent of the Pelicans, with Benson owning only 5 percent -- though his portion constitutes all the Pelicans' voting shares. The lawsuit lays out what Tom Benson is seeking to remove from the trusts: All shares in a group of companies known as the Zelia entities, which hold interests in Benson Tower, Champions Square, Jefferson Parish real estate for Benson auto dealerships, a surface parking lot at Claiborne Avenue and Poydras Street, and other assets in Texas. All shares in Benson Football, Benson Basketball, which are the holding companies for the Saints and Pelicans. All shares in Bensco, a holding company for interests in Benson's San Antonio area dealerships and other assets. According to the lawsuit, Benson is swapping those $556 million in assets for: Real estate in Blanco County, Texas, of unspecified value. Canceled debt the trusts owe Benson totaling $94.5 million. More than $450 million in promissory notes.|display-authors=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://whodatdish.com/2018/08/10/saints-honor-tom-benson-helmet-jersey-patches/|title=Saints honoring Tom Benson with helmet and jersey patches|last=Anderson|first=Roy|date=August 10, 2018|website=whodatdish.com|publisher=FanSided Inc.|access-date=August 10, 2018}}</ref> 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 heir.<ref name="NewYorkPost">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 22, 2015 |title=Saints owner suddenly spikes grandchildren, hands team to wife |url=https://nypost.com/2015/01/22/saints-owner-suddenly-spikes-grandchildren-hands-team-to-wife/ |work=New York Post |location= |access-date=January 22, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="Zurik">{{cite news |last=Zurik |first=Lee |date=January 23, 2015 |title=Benson family drama, told in letters and court filings |quote=During the over 80 years of my life, I have built a rather large estate which was intended to mainly be for you all as my family. Suddenly after I remarried you all became offensive and did not act in an appropriate manner and even had arguments among yourselves which created a very unpleasant family situation which I will not stand for. It made me very unhappy and uncomfortable. This situation cannot continue at my age. Because of the facts set out above and the heart break you have caused me I want no further contact with any of you and you will not be allowed to enter the Saint's facilities or games, the Basketball facilities or Pelicans games, the Benson Towers, the T.V. facilities or the automotive facilities in [[New Orleans]] and will have no right to give directions, orders or hire or fire any of the personnel. |url=http://www.fox8live.com/story/27919760/benson-family-drama-told-in-letters-and-court-filings |work=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] [[WVUE-DT|WVUE]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=January 23, 2015 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Vargas1">{{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |date=July 27, 2018 |title=Outbursts in court, secret recordings, more: Inside look at Tom Benson family's legal battle |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_cb6957fe-91e9-11e8-98b8-d793ab5571ad.html |work=The Advocate |location=Baton Rouge |access-date=July 27, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Ley1">{{cite news |last=Ley |first=Tom |date=January 23, 2015 |title=Suit: Saints Owner Tom Benson Is Being Manipulated By His Scheming Wife |url=https://deadspin.com/suit-saints-owner-tom-benson-is-being-manipulated-by-h-1681345399 |work=deadspin.com |location= |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="WDSU2">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=May 21, 2016 |title=Benson: Estranged heirs tried to kill me 'for one thing' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjbqAzQ-MA8 |work=NBC [[WDSU]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=May 21, 2016 }}</ref> Benson's daughter, Renee Benson, and his grandchildren, Rita Benson LeBlanc and Ryan Benson LeBlanc filed lawsuits challenging Tom Benson's decision to name Gayle heir to the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans. The lawsuit and media portrayed Gayle as a "[[Gold digging|gold digger]]."<ref name="Hiatt" /> While the estate and Tom Benson's mental competency was being challenged,<ref>{{cite news |last=Gatto |first=Matt |date=June 29, 2016 |title=Gayle Benson testifies in husband's competency hearing |url=http://www.14news.com/story/29291936/gayle-benson-testifies-in-husbands-competency-hearing |work=NBC WFIE |location=Evansville, IN |access-date=June 29, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Kin">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=June 2, 2015 |title=Tom Benson's kin testify in Saints and Pelicans owner's competency case |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/13001447/heirs-new-orleans-saints-new-orleans-pelicans-owner-tom-benson-begin-testimony-competency-case |work=ESPN |location= |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Update">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 23, 2015 |title=UPDATE: Judge Orders Tom Benson to Undergo Mental Evaluation |url=https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/update-judge-orders-tom-benson-to-undergo-mental-evaluation/153935837 |work=Fox News |location= |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}</ref> Rodney Henry, former personal assistant to Tom Benson, filed a lawsuit accusing the New Orleans Saints and Gayle Benson of racism and violations of federal labor laws. The lawsuit claimed that Gayle Benson had treated him with disrespect because of his race.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_9716e143-261a-5ee2-892e-87d1efc89440.html|title=Lawsuit: Ex-Tom Benson assistant claims he was racially harassed by wife Gayle, treated 'with disdain and disrespect'|last=Vargas|first=Ramon Antonio|date=2016-01-22|work=The Advocate|access-date=2018-08-07|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Sterling">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 19, 2016 |title=NFL/NBA now have a Donald Sterling problem with Gayle Benson |url=https://saintsreport.com/threads/nfl-nba-now-have-a-donald-sterling-problem-with-gayle-benson.351824/page-5 |work=saintsreport.com |location= |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Racist1">{{cite news |last=Putterman |first=Alex |date=January 20, 2016 |title=Ex-assistant alleges racist comments by Saints owner's wife |url=https://www.msn.com/g00/en-us/sports/nfl/ex-assistant-alleges-racist-comments-by-saints-owners-wife/ar-BBorN8Y?i10c.encReferrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8%3D&i10c.ua=2&i10c.dv=17 |work=MSN |location= |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}</ref> An NFL arbitrator ruled in favor of Henry and against the [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]] on the labor complaint, awarding him overtime pay, a contractual payout for his dismissal, and attorney's fees. The arbitrator ruled against Henry on the claims of racism.<ref name="SaintsPay">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=July 26, 2018 |title=Saints must pay $384K to fired assistant of late owner Tom Benson |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/07/26/fired-assistant-to-late-saints-owner-awarded-more-than-384k/37145315/ |work=[[USA Today]] |location=[[McLean, Virginia]] |access-date=July 26, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="PersonalAide">{{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |date=July 26, 2018 |title=New Orleans Saints ordered to cough up $400K in dispute with Tom Benson's former personal aide |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/courts/article_e11216be-9102-11e8-b3ab-8bd6cb1a1d82.html |work=The Advocate |location=Baton Rouge |access-date=July 26, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="Triplett1">{{cite news |last=Triplett |first=Mike |date=July 26, 2018 |title=Saints ordered to pay $400,000 to former assistant of Tom Benson |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24203451/new-orleans-saints-ordered-pay-tom-benson-former-personal-assistant-400000-unpaid-other-fees |work=ESPN |location= |access-date=July 26, 2018 }}</ref> She became the owner of both the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans following the death of her husband, Tom Benson.<ref name="Fan">{{cite news |last=Finney |first=Peter |date=March 16, 2018 |title=New Orleans Saints' first lady Gayle Benson has come a long way as a fan |url=https://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2009/08/new_orleans_saints_first_lady.html |work=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=June 26, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="LaRose1">{{cite news |last=LaRose |first=Greg |date=February 3, 2017 |title=Tom Benson settles lawsuit with heirs over Saints, Pelicans ownership |url=https://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2017/02/trustees_say_tom_benson_has_se.html |work=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}</ref><ref name="SportsIllustrated">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=July 18, 2018 |title=Gayle Benson, New Orleans Saints |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/gayle-benson-new-orleans-saints-owner |work=Sports Illustrated |location= |access-date=July 18, 2018 }}</ref>

Benson is one of ten female NFL owners, including [[Sheila Ford Hamp]] ([[Detroit Lions]]), [[Kim Pegula]] ([[Buffalo Bills]]), [[Carol Davis (American football)|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]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-owner-Janice-McNair-You-play-to-win-13726449.php|title = Texans owner Janice McNair: 'You play to win'|date = March 29, 2019}}</ref>

Benson and Allen ([[Portland Trail Blazers]]) are two of five female owners in the NBA, along with [[Jeanie Buss]] ([[Los Angeles Lakers]]), [[Miriam Adelson]] ([[Dallas Mavericks]]) and [[Ann Walton Kroenke]] ([[Denver Nuggets]]).

Tom Benson had planned on [[Bequest|bequeathing]] the voting stock shares of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans to his daughter Renee Benson, grandson Ryan Benson LeBlanc, and granddaughter [[Rita Benson LeBlanc]].<ref name="White1" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Benson hits back with new lawsuit - Stock in Saints, Pelicans would be stripped from trust funds |last1=Sayre |first1=Katherine |newspaper=The Times-Picayune |last2=Grimm |first2=Andy |location=New Orleans |date=2015-03-12 |page=A1 |quote=Benson has maintained complete control of the Saints and Pelicans franchises by keeping all the voting shares and moving only non-voting shares into family trusts. He has 40 percent of the Saints, while his heirs' trusts contain 60 percent. The trusts own 95 percent of the Pelicans, with Benson owning only 5 percent -- though his portion constitutes all the Pelicans' voting shares. The lawsuit lays out what Tom Benson is seeking to remove from the trusts: All shares in a group of companies known as the Zelia entities, which hold interests in Benson Tower, Champions Square, Jefferson Parish real estate for Benson auto dealerships, a surface parking lot at Claiborne Avenue and Poydras Street, and other assets in Texas. All shares in Benson Football, Benson Basketball, which are the holding companies for the Saints and Pelicans. All shares in Bensco, a holding company for interests in Benson's San Antonio area dealerships and other assets. According to the lawsuit, Benson is swapping those $556 million in assets for: Real estate in Blanco County, Texas, of unspecified value. Canceled debt the trusts owe Benson totaling $94.5 million. More than $450 million in promissory notes.}}</ref>

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 was named his heir.<ref name="NewYorkPost">{{cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2015/01/22/saints-owner-suddenly-spikes-grandchildren-hands-team-to-wife/|title=Saints owner suddenly spikes grandchildren, hands team to wife|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=2015-01-22|work=New York Post|access-date=2015-01-22}}</ref><ref name="Zurik">{{cite news|url=http://www.fox8live.com/story/27919760/benson-family-drama-told-in-letters-and-court-filings|title=Benson family drama, told in letters and court filings|last=Zurik|first=Lee|date=January 23, 2015|work=Fox Broadcasting Company WVUE|access-date=January 23, 2015|location=New Orleans|quote=During the over 80 years of my life, I have built a rather large estate which was intended to mainly be for you all as my family. Suddenly after I remarried you all became offensive and did not act in an appropriate manner and even had arguments among yourselves which created a very unpleasant family situation which I will not stand for. It made me very unhappy and uncomfortable. This situation cannot continue at my age. Because of the facts set out above and the heart break you have caused me I want no further contact with any of you and you will not be allowed to enter the Saint's facilities or games, the Basketball facilities or Pelicans games, the Benson Towers, the T.V. facilities or the automotive facilities in New Orleans and will have no right to give directions, orders or hire or fire any of the personnel.}}</ref>

Tom Benson's daughter and grandchildren filed lawsuits challenging his decision to name Gayle his heir, questioning his mental competency.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gatto |first=Matt |date=2016-06-29 |title=Gayle Benson testifies in husband's competency hearing |url=http://www.14news.com/story/29291936/gayle-benson-testifies-in-husbands-competency-hearing |work=NBC WFIE |location=Evansville, IN |access-date=2016-06-29 }}</ref><ref name="Kin">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2015-06-02 |title=Tom Benson's kin testify in Saints and Pelicans owner's competency case |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/13001447/heirs-new-orleans-saints-new-orleans-pelicans-owner-tom-benson-begin-testimony-competency-case |work=ESPN |access-date=2018-01-26 }}</ref><ref name="Update">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2015-01-23 |title=UPDATE: Judge Orders Tom Benson to Undergo Mental Evaluation |url=https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/update-judge-orders-tom-benson-to-undergo-mental-evaluation/153935837 |work=Fox News |access-date=2018-01-26 }}</ref>

Tom Benson was determined to be mentally competent and was allowed to change his will to leave ownership of the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans to his wife.<ref name="Vargas1">{{cite news|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_cb6957fe-91e9-11e8-98b8-d793ab5571ad.html|title=Outbursts in court, secret recordings, more: Inside look at Tom Benson family's legal battle|last=Vargas|first=Ramon|date=July 27, 2018|work=The Advocate|access-date=July 27, 2018|location=Baton Rouge}}</ref><ref name="Ley1">{{cite news|url=https://deadspin.com/suit-saints-owner-tom-benson-is-being-manipulated-by-h-1681345399|title=Suit: Saints Owner Tom Benson Is Being Manipulated By His Scheming Wife|last=Ley|first=Tom|date=January 23, 2015|work=deadspin.com|access-date=January 26, 2018}}</ref><ref name="WDSU2">{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjbqAzQ-MA8|title=Benson: Estranged heirs tried to kill me 'for one thing'|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=May 21, 2016|work=NBC WDSU|access-date=May 21, 2016|location=New Orleans}}</ref>

=== Labor complaints ===

Rodney Henry, former personal assistant to Tom Benson, filed a lawsuit accusing the New Orleans Saints and Gayle Benson of racism and violations of federal labor laws. The lawsuit claimed that Gayle Benson had treated him with disrespect because of his race.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_9716e143-261a-5ee2-892e-87d1efc89440.html|title=Lawsuit: Ex-Tom Benson assistant claims he was racially harassed by wife Gayle, treated 'with disdain and disrespect'|last=Vargas|first=Ramon Antonio|date=2016-01-22|work=The Advocate|access-date=2018-08-07}}</ref><ref name="Sterling">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2016-01-19 |title=NFL/NBA now have a Donald Sterling problem with Gayle Benson |url=https://saintsreport.com/threads/nfl-nba-now-have-a-donald-sterling-problem-with-gayle-benson.351824/page-5 |work=saintsreport.com |access-date=2018-01-26 }}</ref><ref name="Racist1">{{cite news |last=Putterman |first=Alex |date=2016-01-20 |title=Ex-assistant alleges racist comments by Saints owner's wife |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/ex-assistant-alleges-racist-comments-by-saints-owners-wife/ar-BBorN8Y |work=MSN |access-date=2018-01-26 }}</ref> An NFL arbitrator ruled in favor of Henry and against the [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]] on the labor complaint, awarding him overtime pay, a contractual payout for his dismissal, and attorney's fees; however, the same arbitrator ruled against Henry on the claims of racism.<ref name="SaintsPay">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2018-07-26 |title=Saints must pay $384K to fired assistant of late owner Tom Benson |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/07/26/fired-assistant-to-late-saints-owner-awarded-more-than-384k/37145315/ |work=USA Today |location=McLean, Virginia |access-date=2018-07-26 }}</ref><ref name="PersonalAide">{{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |date=2018-07-26 |title=New Orleans Saints ordered to cough up $400K in dispute with Tom Benson's former personal aide |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/courts/article_e11216be-9102-11e8-b3ab-8bd6cb1a1d82.html |work=The Advocate |location=Baton Rouge |access-date=2018-07-26 }}</ref><ref name="Triplett1">{{cite news |last=Triplett |first=Mike |date=2018-07-26 |title=Saints ordered to pay $400,000 to former assistant of Tom Benson |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24203451/new-orleans-saints-ordered-pay-tom-benson-former-personal-assistant-400000-unpaid-other-fees |work=ESPN |access-date=2018-07-26 }}</ref>


===Dixie Brewing Company, LLC===
===Dixie Brewing Company, LLC===
In July of 2017, it was announced that [[Tom Benson]] and his wife, Gayle Benson, "finalized an agreement to buy a [[Controlling interest|majority share]] of [[Dixie Brewing Company|Dixie Brewing Co.]], the century-old [[New Orleans]] [[Beer|beer]] brand".<ref>{{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |publication-date=July 27, 2017 |title=Tom, Gayle Benson finalize deal to buy majority of Dixie Brewing Co., build new brewery |newspaper=[[Sun Herald]] |location=[[Biloxi, Mississippi]] |work= |page= }}</ref> The company's [[brewery plant]] had been damaged and closed after [[Hurricane Katrina]].<ref>{{cite news|url=|title=The National Scene|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|first=|date=|work=|newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|access-date=|location=[[Orlando, Florida]]|publication-date=February 22, 2006|page=E3|quote=Dixie Brewing Co. survived but owners Joe and Kendra Bruno told Modern Brewery Age 'it will be a while before the brewery is turning out beer.' The Brunos are considering offers from other brewers to produce Dixie beer. 'Dixie will rise again,' Kendra says.}}</ref> Tom and Gayle Benson acquired the locally-owned Dixie Brewing from the Bruno family in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last=Finch |first=Chris |date=July 27, 2017 |title=Tom and Gayle Benson buy Dixie Brewing Company |url=http://www.fox8live.com/story/35984648/tom-and-gayle-benson-buy-dixie-brewing-company |work=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] [[WVUE-DT|WVUE]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=July 27, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Monteverde |first=Danny |date=July 27, 2017 |title=Benson buys Dixie Brewing Co., hopes to revive struggling brand: New brewery to be built in New Orleans |url=https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/benson-buys-dixie-brewing-co-hopes-to-revive-struggling-brand/459894679 |work=[[CBS|CBS]] [[WWL-TV|WWL-TV]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=July 27, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Richard |date=August 7, 2018 |title=Dixie returns: New Orleans brewery to be built at site of former MacFrugal's building |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_64f2d5f6-9a52-11e8-891d-b76432004628.html |work=[[The_Advocate_(Louisiana)|The Advocate]] |location=[[Baton Rouge]] |access-date=August 7, 2018 }}</ref> On August 7, 2018, Gayle Benson announced, with New Orleans Mayor [[LaToya Cantrell|LaToya Cantrell]], that Dixie Brewery will be opening a distribution Center at the old MacFrugal's Distribution Center in New Orleans East.<ref>{{cite news |last=Larino |first=Jennifer |publication-date=August 8, 2018 |title=Dixie Beer is coming home - Brewery, brew pub planned at empty 14-acre industrial site |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |work= |page=A10 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=August 7, 2018 |title=Dixie beer is coming home: Brewery, pub planned for New Orleans East |url=https://wgno.com/2018/08/07/dixie-beer-is-coming-home-brewery-restaurant-planned-for-new-orleans-east/ |work=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] [[WGNO]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=August 7, 2018 }}</ref>
In July 2017, it was announced that Tom and Gayle Benson had finalized an agreement to buy a [[Controlling interest|majority share]] of [[Dixie Brewing Company|Dixie Brewing Co.]]<ref name="Vargas">{{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |date=2017-07-27 |title=Tom, Gayle Benson finalize deal to buy majority of Dixie Brewing Co., build new brewery |newspaper=Sun Herald |location=Biloxi, Mississippi }}</ref> The company's [[brewery plant]] had been damaged and closed after [[Hurricane Katrina]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The National Scene|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|location=Orlando, Florida|date=2006-02-22|page=E3|quote=Dixie Brewing Co. survived but owners Joe and Kendra Bruno told Modern Brewery Age 'it will be a while before the brewery is turning out beer.' The Brunos are considering offers from other brewers to produce Dixie beer. 'Dixie will rise again,' Kendra says.}}</ref><ref name="Vargas"/> On August 7, 2018, Benson announced, with New Orleans Mayor [[LaToya Cantrell]], that Dixie Brewery would open a distribution center at the old MacFrugal's Distribution Center in New Orleans East.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2018-08-07 |title=Dixie beer is coming home: Brewery, pub planned for New Orleans East |url=https://wgno.com/2018/08/07/dixie-beer-is-coming-home-brewery-restaurant-planned-for-new-orleans-east/ |work=ABC WGNO |location=New Orleans |access-date=2018-08-07 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Monteverde |first=Danny |date=2017-07-27 |title=Benson buys Dixie Brewing Co., hopes to revive struggling brand: New brewery to be built in New Orleans |url=https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/benson-buys-dixie-brewing-co-hopes-to-revive-struggling-brand/459894679 |work=CBS WWL-TV |location=New Orleans |access-date=2017-07-27 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Richard |date=August 7, 2018 |title=Dixie returns: New Orleans brewery to be built at site of former MacFrugal's building |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_64f2d5f6-9a52-11e8-891d-b76432004628.html |work=The Advocate |location=Baton Rouge |access-date=2018-08-07 }}</ref>

== Thoroughbred Racing ==

G M B Racing is the thoroughbred racing stable of Gayle Benson, who owned [[2016 Kentucky Derby]] starters Mo Tom and Tom's Ready and owned 2018 contender Lone Sailor. Tom's Ready was a fine sprinter in mid-2016, winning both the Grade 2 [[Woody Stephens Stakes]] at Belmont Park and the [[Ack Ack Stakes]] at Churchill Downs.<ref>{{cite web |title=G M B Racing |url=https://www.americasbestracing.net/owners/g-m-b-racing |publisher=TJC Media Ventures |access-date=23 July 2022}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Benson has been married three times. Her first marriage was to Nace Anthony Salomone, on April 8, 1967, which ended in a divorce and annulment in 1972.<ref name="salomone" /><ref name="Plan1" /> Her second marriage was to Thomas "T-Bird" Bird, on February 14, 1977, in [[Port Eads, Louisiana|South Pass]], [[Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana]], which ended in a divorce on June 25, 1987.<ref name="birddivorce" />

Gayle's third marriage was to Tom Benson, on October 29, 2004, in [[San Antonio]], Texas. They met at [[St. Louis Cathedral (New Orleans)|St. Louis Cathedral]] in New Orleans at a mass. They were married until his death in 2018.<ref>{{cite interview|last=Benson|first=Gayle|subject-link=Gayle Benson|interviewer=Angela Hill|title=Angela Hill One on One with Gayle Benson|url=http://media.wwl.com/a/81602851/10-2-3-10p-angela-hill-one-on-one-with-gayle-benson.htm|access-date=2013-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926002255/http://media.wwl.com/a/81602851/10-2-3-10p-angela-hill-one-on-one-with-gayle-benson.htm|archive-date=2018-09-26|url-status=dead|publisher=WWL-FM Radio|location=New Orleans|date=2013-10-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nola.com/homegarden/index.ssf/2014/10/at_home_with_tom_and_gayle_ben_1.html|title=At home with Tom and Gayle Benson: A historic mansion becomes a regal home for the New Orleans Saints owner|last=Langenhennig|first=Susan|date=2014-10-22|work=nola.com|access-date=2018-08-07|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Saints owner Benson's wife, Grace, dies|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|newspaper=The Baton Rouge Advocate|location=Baton Rouge|date=2003-11-19}}</ref><ref name="Arkansas1">{{cite news|title=Second Thoughts|last=Cooper|first=Tim|newspaper=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|location=Little Rock, Arkansas|date=2004-10-28|page=24}}</ref><ref name="SportCheck">{{cite news|title=Sport Check|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|newspaper=Sun Herald|location=Biloxi, Mississippi|date=2004-10-22|page=D2}}</ref><ref name="Marriage1">{{cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2005/feb/02/sports/sp-patrep2|title=Champs Demand Respect|last=Farmer|first=Sam|date=2005-02-02|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2005-02-02|location=Los Angeles}}</ref>

On October 22, 2014, Gayle Benson and her husband commemorated their tenth anniversary by renewing their [[Marriage vows|wedding vows]] at St. Louis Cathedral.<ref name="Wing">{{cite news|url=https://wgno.com/2014/10/22/tom-and-gayle-benson-say-i-do-again/|title=Tom and Gayle Benson say, "I do" Again!|last=Wing|first=Tyler|date=2014-10-22|work=ABC WGNO|access-date=2014-10-22|location=New Orleans}}</ref><ref name="Strachan">{{cite news|url=https://www.nola.com/society/index.ssf/2014/10/gayle_and_tom_benson_renew_the.html|title=Gayle and Tom Benson renew their wedding vows in celebration of their 10th anniversary|last=Strachan|first=Sue|date=2014-10-23|work=The Times-Picayune|access-date=2014-10-23|location=New Orleans}}</ref><ref name="FoxSports">{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com/southwest/story/ten-years-later-saints-owners-tom-and-gayle-benson-say-i-do-again-102314|title=Ten Years Later, Saints Owners Tom and Gayle Benson say "I Do" Again|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=2014-10-23|work=Fox Sports|access-date=2014-10-23}}</ref>


==Philanthropy==
==Philanthropy==
While married, Gayle and Tom Benson funded the construction of the [[Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium]] at the [[University of the Incarnate Word]] in San Antonio, which opened on campus on September 1, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/editorials/article/Benson-made-his-mark-in-San-Antonio-12759379.php|title=Benson made his mark in San Antonio|last=Board|first=Express-News Editorial|date=2018-03-20|website=San Antonio Express-News|access-date=2019-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uiwcardinals.com/sports/2013/8/7/FB_0807130443.aspx|title=Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium|website=University of the Incarnate Word Athletics|language=en|access-date=2019-07-25}}</ref>


In January 2012, Benson and her husband were awarded the ''[[Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice]]'' for their service to Catholic Church by [[Pope Benedict XVI]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nola.com/religion/index.ssf/2012/01/tom_and_gayle_benson_receive_h.html|title=Tom and Gayle Benson receive highest papal honor for their generosity to Catholic Church|last=Pope|first=John|date=January 19, 2012|website=The Times-Picayune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806210813/https://www.nola.com/religion/index.ssf/2012/01/tom_and_gayle_benson_receive_h.html|archive-date=August 6, 2018}}</ref><ref name="NewYorkTimes1">{{cite news |last=Goldstein |first=Richard |date=2018-03-15 |title=Tom Benson, Tycoon Who Danced With His Saints, Dies at 90 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/obituaries/tom-benson-dead.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2018-03-15 }}</ref>
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.<ref>[http://www.nola.com/religion/index.ssf/2012/01/tom_and_gayle_benson_receive_h.html The Times-Picayune: "Tom and Gayle Benson receive highest papal honor for their generosity to Catholic Church" by John Pope] January 19, 2012</ref><ref name="NewYorkTimes1">{{cite news |last=Goldstein |first=Richard |date=March 15, 2018 |title=Tom Benson, Tycoon Who Danced With His Saints, Dies at 90 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/obituaries/tom-benson-dead.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] |access-date=March 15, 2018 }}</ref>
In November 2012, Gayle Benson and her husband, Tom, donated $7.5 million towards the construction of [[Tulane University]]'s [[Yulman Stadium]].<ref name="NewWave">{{cite news |last=Strecker |first=Mike |date=2012-11-01 |title=Tulane names new football venue Yulman Stadium |url=http://www.ohr.tulane.edu/news/newwave/nw_110112stadium.cfm |work=Tulane University New Wave |access-date=2012-11-01 }}</ref> The playing surface is known as Benson Field.<ref>[http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/college_sports/college_football/article/Tulane-s-field-to-be-named-for-Benson-4002035.php Tulane's field to be named for Benson – San Antonio Express-News]. Mysanantonio.com (2012-11-02). Retrieved on 2013-07-29.</ref><ref name="TulaneStadium">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 27, 2013 |title=Tulane stadium, field, club seats to honor donors |url=https://www.wdsu.com/article/tulane-stadium-field-club-seats-to-honor-donors/3360771 |work=NBC WDSU |location=New Orleans |access-date=2013-01-27 }}</ref>


In 2015, the Benson family gave $20 million for cancer care and research.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/gayle-and-tom-benson-give-20-million-for-cancer-care-research|title=Gayle and Tom Benson Give $20 Million for Cancer Care, Research|first=Foundation|last=Center|website=philanthropynewsdigest.org|access-date=2018-04-10}}</ref><ref name="WGNO1">{{cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Michael |date=2015-11-10 |title=Benson family donates historic $20 million to Ochsner Cancer Institute |url=https://wgno.com/2015/11/10/benson-family-donates-historic-20-million-to-ochsner-cancer-institute/ |work=ABC WGNO |location=New Orleans |access-date=2015-11-10 }}</ref>
In November 2012 Gayle Benson and her husband, Tom, donated $7.5 million towards the construction of [[Tulane University]]'s [[Yulman Stadium]].<ref name="NewWave">{{cite news |last=Strecker |first=Mike |date=November 1, 2012 |title=Tulane names new football venue Yulman Stadium |url=http://www.ohr.tulane.edu/news/newwave/nw_110112stadium.cfm |work=Tulane University New Wave |location= |access-date=November 1, 2012 }}</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/college_sports/college_football/article/Tulane-s-field-to-be-named-for-Benson-4002035.php Tulane's field to be named for Benson – San Antonio Express-News]. Mysanantonio.com (2012-11-02). Retrieved on 2013-07-29.</ref><ref name="TulaneStadium">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 27, 2013 |title=Tulane stadium, field, club seats to honor donors |url=https://www.wdsu.com/article/tulane-stadium-field-club-seats-to-honor-donors/3360771 |work=NBC [[WDSU]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=January 27, 2013 }}</ref>


In February 2019, the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Trust donated $5 million to Jesuit High School.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nola.com/sports/pelicans/article_3d1ad3c6-33b0-509d-8475-2d406b008bee.html|title=Gayle Benson to donate $5 million to Jesuit High – the largest gift in school history|website=nola.com|date=February 21, 2019 |access-date=2019-02-21 }}</ref>
In 2015 the Benson family gave $20 million for cancer care and research.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/gayle-and-tom-benson-give-20-million-for-cancer-care-research|title=Gayle and Tom Benson Give $20 Million for Cancer Care, Research|first=Foundation|last=Center|date=|website=philanthropynewsdigest.org|accessdate=10 April 2018}}</ref><ref name="WGNO1">{{cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Michael |date=November 10, 2015 |title=Benson family donates historic $20 million to Ochsner Cancer Institute |url=https://wgno.com/2015/11/10/benson-family-donates-historic-20-million-to-ochsner-cancer-institute/ |work=ABC WGNO |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=November 10, 2015 }}</ref>


In March 2019, the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Trust donated $3.5 million to Second Harvest<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/gayle-benson-donates-35-million-to-second-harvest-food-bank/289-e83989bc-fae0-405d-83c9-a0e0e3862ce5|title=Gayle Benson donates $3.5 million to Second Harvest Food Bank|website=wwltv.com|date=March 15, 2019|access-date=2019-03-15 }}</ref>
==Awards and honors==


In September 2019, the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Trust donated $1 million to the campaign of Children's of Mississippi to build a playground at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/gayle-tom-benson-charitable-foundation-makes-1-million-gift-to-children-s-of-mis|title=Gayle & Tom Benson Charitable Foundation makes $1 million gift to Children's of Mississippi|website=neworleansaints.com|access-date=2019-09-26 }}</ref>
*[[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>
In December 2023, Ochsner Health System announced it would be constructing a new, standalone children's hospital with a significant donation from Gayle Benson. The 343,000-square-feet facility will be named The Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children's Hospital. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodruff |first=Emily |date=2023-12-13 |title=Ochsner to build new children's hospital in New Orleans area thanks to Gayle Benson's big gift |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/ochsner-to-build-new-childrens-hospital-in-new-orleans-area-thanks-gayle-bensons-big-gift/article_3788bb6f-3a48-5c82-8517-6a0c9c777364.html |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=The Advocate |language=en}}</ref>
{{New Orleans Saints}}


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'''[[#nbFoot9a|^]]''' {{cite web |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_db121a4e-389d-5623-ae30-f3432f020fbb.html |title=Tom Benson ups ante in proposal to take Saints, Pelicans out of estranged heirs' trust |last1=White |first1=Jaquetta |last2=Vargas |first2=Ramon Antonio |display-authors=2 |date=February 3, 2015 |website=theadvocate.com |publisher=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The New Orleans Advocate]] |access-date=February 3, 2015 |quote=[[Tom Benson|Benson's]] lawyers also said for the first time this week that the entirety of the teams do not reside in those trusts. Attorney Paul Cordes said the various trusts contain 95 percent of the shares of Benson Basketball, the holding company for the [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]] of the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]. The trusts also contain 60 percent of the shares of Benson Football, the holding company for the [[National Football League|NFL's]] [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]]. The remaining shares are held by [[Tom Benson]], who controls all of the voting shares in both companies. Holders of nonvoting shares typically have little or no voice on corporate matters. Such shares are usually granted to individuals who are willing to invest in the company's profitability and success without receiving voting rights in the company's direction.}}
'''[[#nbFoot10a|^]]''' {{cite web |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_db121a4e-389d-5623-ae30-f3432f020fbb.html |title=Tom Benson ups ante in proposal to take Saints, Pelicans out of estranged heirs' trust |last1=White |first1=Jaquetta |last2=Vargas |first2=Ramon Antonio |date=February 3, 2015 |website=theadvocate.com |publisher=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The New Orleans Advocate]] |access-date=February 3, 2015 |quote=[[Tom Benson|Benson's]] lawyers also said for the first time this week that the entirety of the teams do not reside in those trusts. Attorney Paul Cordes said the various trusts contain 95 percent of the shares of Benson Basketball, the holding company for the [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]] of the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]. The trusts also contain 60 percent of the shares of Benson Football, the holding company for the [[National Football League|NFL's]] [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]]. The remaining shares are held by [[Tom Benson]], who controls all of the voting shares in both companies. Holders of nonvoting shares typically have little or no voice on corporate matters. Such shares are usually granted to individuals who are willing to invest in the company's profitability and success without receiving voting rights in the company's direction.}}
* {{cite news |last=Sayre |first=Katherine |publication-date=February 1, 2015 |title=Lawyers even dispute who owns Saints now - Asset swap on hold -- or a done deal |quote=By last year, Tom Benson owned 40 percent of the Saints, all in voting shares, while the trusts for his heirs owned about 60 percent, all in non-voting shares, Cordes said. For the Pelicans, Benson owned 5 percent, all voting shares, and the trusts for his heirs held 95 percent, all nonvoting shares. |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |page=A1 }}
* {{cite news |last=Sayre |first=Katherine |date=February 1, 2015 |title=Lawyers even dispute who owns Saints now - Asset swap on hold -- or a done deal |quote=By last year, Tom Benson owned 40 percent of the Saints, all in voting shares, while the trusts for his heirs owned about 60 percent, all in non-voting shares, Cordes said. For the Pelicans, Benson owned 5 percent, all voting shares, and the trusts for his heirs held 95 percent, all nonvoting shares. |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |page=A1 }}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/06/tom_benson_saints_pelicans_own.html |title=Judge considers Tom Benson trust change jurisdiction |last=Sayre |first= Katherine |date=June 16, 2015 |website=nola.com |publisher=[[The Times-Picayune]] |access-date=June 16, 2015 |quote=Tom Benson has maintained all of the power over the Saints and Pelicans franchises by owning all of the voting shares and moving only non-voting shares into family trusts. Benson owns 40 percent of the Saints, while his heirs' trusts own 60 percent. The trusts own 95 percent of the Pelicans, with Benson owning only 5 percent -- though his portion constitutes all the Pelicans' voting shares.}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/06/tom_benson_saints_pelicans_own.html |title=Judge considers Tom Benson trust change jurisdiction |last=Sayre |first= Katherine |date=June 16, 2015 |website=nola.com |publisher=[[The Times-Picayune]] |access-date=June 16, 2015 |quote=Tom Benson has maintained all of the power over the Saints and Pelicans franchises by owning all of the voting shares and moving only non-voting shares into family trusts. Benson owns 40 percent of the Saints, while his heirs' trusts own 60 percent. The trusts own 95 percent of the Pelicans, with Benson owning only 5 percent -- though his portion constitutes all the Pelicans' voting shares.}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/06/tom_benson_saints_pelicans_own.html |title=Tom Benson family feud: Saints, Pelicans ownership struggle focus of hearing |last=Sayre |first= Katherine |date=June 16, 2015 |website=nola.com |publisher=[[The Times-Picayune]] |access-date=June 16, 2015 |quote=Benson owns 40 percent of the Saints, while his heirs' trusts own 60 percent. The trusts own 95 percent of the Pelicans, with Benson owning only 5 percent -- though his portion constitutes all the Pelicans' voting shares.}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/06/tom_benson_saints_pelicans_own.html |title=Tom Benson family feud: Saints, Pelicans ownership struggle focus of hearing |last=Sayre |first= Katherine |date=June 16, 2015 |website=nola.com |publisher=[[The Times-Picayune]] |access-date=June 16, 2015 |quote=Benson owns 40 percent of the Saints, while his heirs' trusts own 60 percent. The trusts own 95 percent of the Pelicans, with Benson owning only 5 percent -- though his portion constitutes all the Pelicans' voting shares.}}
* {{cite news |last=Sayre |first=Katherine |publication-date=June 17, 2015 |title=Judge weighs moving trust fight - Lawyer: Holding companies weren’t created in La. - Trustee says New Orleans court doesn’t have jurisdiction |quote=Schonekas, though, argued a [[Louisiana]] court doesn't necessarily have jurisdiction because assets are located in the state. As an example, he argued, if assets in the trusts were replaced with property in [[Montana]], it wouldn’t mean a [[Montana]] court has jurisdiction over Rosenthal. Meanwhile, he said, Benson was listed as a resident of [[Texas]] until he declared himself a [[Louisiana]] resident in January, as the litigation was getting underway. [[Tom Benson|Benson's]] lawyers have said federal court is appropriate because [[Tom Benson|Benson]] is a [[Louisiana]] resident and Rosenthal is a [[Texas]] resident, making it a federal case. Meanwhile, they argue, the question over [[Tom Benson|Benson's]] rights to exchange assets is centered on federal tax law. *** [[Tom Benson]] has maintained all of the power over the [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]] and [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]] franchises by owning all of the voting shares and moving only non-voting shares into family trusts. [[Tom Benson|Benson]] owns 40 percent of the [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]], while his heirs' trusts own 60 percent. The trusts own 95 percent of the [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]], with [[Tom Benson|Benson]] owning only 5 percent — though his portion constitutes all the [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans']] voting shares. |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |page=A1 }}
* {{cite news |last=Sayre |first=Katherine |date=June 17, 2015 |title=Judge weighs moving trust fight - Lawyer: Holding companies weren't created in La. - Trustee says New Orleans court doesn't have jurisdiction |quote=Schonekas, though, argued a [[Louisiana]] court doesn't necessarily have jurisdiction because assets are located in the state. As an example, he argued, if assets in the trusts were replaced with property in [[Montana]], it wouldn’t mean a [[Montana]] court has jurisdiction over Rosenthal. Meanwhile, he said, Benson was listed as a resident of [[Texas]] until he declared himself a [[Louisiana]] resident in January, as the litigation was getting underway. [[Tom Benson|Benson's]] lawyers have said federal court is appropriate because [[Tom Benson|Benson]] is a [[Louisiana]] resident and Rosenthal is a [[Texas]] resident, making it a federal case. Meanwhile, they argue, the question over [[Tom Benson|Benson's]] rights to exchange assets is centered on federal tax law. *** [[Tom Benson]] has maintained all of the power over the [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]] and [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]] franchises by owning all of the voting shares and moving only non-voting shares into family trusts. [[Tom Benson|Benson]] owns 40 percent of the [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]], while his heirs' trusts own 60 percent. The trusts own 95 percent of the [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]], with [[Tom Benson|Benson]] owning only 5 percent — though his portion constitutes all the [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans']] voting shares. |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |page=A1 }}
* {{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/in-court--pelicans-owner-claims-family-members--tried-to-kill--him-201138640.html |title=In court, Pelicans owner claims family members 'tried to kill' him |last=Devine |first=Dan |date=May 20, 2016 |website=sports.yahoo.com |publisher=[[Yahoo Sports|Yahoo! Sports]] |access-date=May 20, 2016 |quote=Benson wants to remove nonvoting shares of the [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]] and [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]] from their trusts; he's allowed to do that if he replaces them with equally valuable assets, but the 'mostly promissory notes' he has offered thus far are being challenged as an 'insufficient exchange' that would short-change the trustees. The trusts hold 60 percent of the Saints and 95 percent of Pelicans, all of which is non-voting stock, with Benson maintaining sole control of the teams by owning all voting stock.}}
* {{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/in-court--pelicans-owner-claims-family-members--tried-to-kill--him-201138640.html |title=In court, Pelicans owner claims family members 'tried to kill' him |last=Devine |first=Dan |date=May 20, 2016 |website=sports.yahoo.com |publisher=[[Yahoo Sports|Yahoo! Sports]] |access-date=May 20, 2016 |quote=Benson wants to remove nonvoting shares of the [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]] and [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]] from their trusts; he's allowed to do that if he replaces them with equally valuable assets, but the 'mostly promissory notes' he has offered thus far are being challenged as an 'insufficient exchange' that would short-change the trustees. The trusts hold 60 percent of the Saints and 95 percent of Pelicans, all of which is non-voting stock, with Benson maintaining sole control of the teams by owning all voting stock.}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/trial-for-tom-bensons-saints-pelicans-ownership-dispute-moved-to-february/ |title=Trial for Tom Benson's Saints, Pelicans ownership dispute moved to February |last=Harper |first=Zach |date=September 1, 2016 |website=cbssports.com |publisher=[[CBS Sports]] |access-date=September 1, 2016 |quote=The trusts involve include 60 percent of the [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]] ownership and 95 percent of the [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]] ownership. His grandchildren have blocked removal of the ownership shares in exchange for promissory notes because they didn't feel the stipulation of replacement for equal value was good enough.}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/trial-for-tom-bensons-saints-pelicans-ownership-dispute-moved-to-february/ |title=Trial for Tom Benson's Saints, Pelicans ownership dispute moved to February |last=Harper |first=Zach |date=September 1, 2016 |work=[[CBS Sports]] |access-date=September 1, 2016 |quote=The trusts involve include 60 percent of the [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]] ownership and 95 percent of the [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]] ownership. His grandchildren have blocked removal of the ownership shares in exchange for promissory notes because they didn't feel the stipulation of replacement for equal value was good enough.}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/pro-sports/article/Benson-and-his-heir-reach-settlement-in-8309906.php |title=Benson and his heirs reach settlement in contentious ownership battle |last=Griffin |first=Tim |date=June 17, 2016 |website=mysanantonio.com |publisher=[[San Antonio Express-News]] |access-date=June 17, 2016 |quote=Earlier, court documents indicated that Benson said in a deposition that he removed his heirs because they tried to kill him. In the documents from the deposition, Benson said about his heirs: "You know, by picking on my wife and when I wasn't feeling very good, they were very hostile." *** The heirs' trust funds hold 95 percent of the [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]] and 60 percent of the [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]].}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/pro-sports/article/Benson-and-his-heir-reach-settlement-in-8309906.php |title=Benson and his heirs reach settlement in contentious ownership battle |last=Griffin |first=Tim |date=June 17, 2016 |website=mysanantonio.com |publisher=[[San Antonio Express-News]] |access-date=June 17, 2016 |quote=Earlier, court documents indicated that Benson said in a deposition that he removed his heirs because they tried to kill him. In the documents from the deposition, Benson said about his heirs: "You know, by picking on my wife and when I wasn't feeling very good, they were very hostile." *** The heirs' trust funds hold 95 percent of the [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]] and 60 percent of the [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]].}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2016/06/saints_pelicans_ownership_sett.html |title=Tom Benson settles Saints, Pelicans ownership dispute |last=Sayre |first=Katherine |date=June 17, 2016 |website=nola.com |publisher=[[The Times-Picayune]] |access-date=June 17, 2016 |quote=The litigation involves only non-controlling stock in the franchises, meaning the shares didn't give the heirs any authority over the teams, only a financial interest. Tom Benson has remained in charge of the teams by owning all of the controlling shares. The heirs' trust funds hold 95 percent of the Pelicans and 60 percent of the Saints.}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2016/06/saints_pelicans_ownership_sett.html |title=Tom Benson settles Saints, Pelicans ownership dispute |last=Sayre |first=Katherine |date=June 17, 2016 |website=nola.com |publisher=[[The Times-Picayune]] |access-date=June 17, 2016 |quote=The litigation involves only non-controlling stock in the franchises, meaning the shares didn't give the heirs any authority over the teams, only a financial interest. Tom Benson has remained in charge of the teams by owning all of the controlling shares. The heirs' trust funds hold 95 percent of the Pelicans and 60 percent of the Saints.}}
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'''[[#nbFoot38a|^]]''' {{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |date=February 1, 2015 |title=Future Saints, Pelicans owner Gayle Benson's 18 lawsuits might raise eyebrows among NFL, NBA |quote=Police arrested her and booked her with theft over $500. The Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office ultimately declined to prosecute Benson. |url=http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_02a8d850-e6f6-549a-ae77-8fa5169d74dd.html |work=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The Advocate]] |location=[[Baton Rouge]] |access-date=June 26, 2018 }}
'''[[#nbFoot18a|^]]''' {{cite news |last=Hiatt |first=Gabe |date=January 22, 2015 |title=Spurned daughter, grandchildren sue Saints owner for writing them out of will |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2015/01/22/spurned-daughter-grandchildren-sue-saints-owner-for-writing-them-out-of-will/?noredirect=on |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |location=[[Washington, D.C.]] |access-date=January 22, 2015 }}
* {{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publication-date=May 16, 1988 |title=Sale by Civil Sheriff bearing Municipal No. 1921 Prytania Street |quote=Gulf Federal Savings and Loan Association versus Gayle Lajaunie Bird, Thomas S. Bird, Donna Coggins Lissard, Eugene J. Lissard, Grace Durham Davis, John R. Davis and Bird Construction and Development Company, Inc. Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, 87-22566. |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |work= |page=E17 }}
* {{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 22, 2015 |title=Report: TX judge freezes large chunk of Benson assets |quote=The suit attempts to paint Gayle Benson as a [[gold digger]] who is trying to take advantage of the Saints owner's health. |url=http://raycomgroup.worldnow.com/story/27918445/report-tx-judge-freezes-large-chunk-of-benson-assets |work=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] [[WVUE-DT|WVUE]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=January 22, 2015 }}
* {{cite news |last=Duncan |first=Jeff |date=January 23, 2015 |title=Lawsuit Claims Tom Is Confused, Gayle Is In Over Her Head |quote=The suit portrays Gayle Benson, 67, as a [[Gold digger|gold-digging]] [[Opportunism|opportunist]] who has taken advantage of her husband's unfit state of health and ostracized family members in grasping for power and riches. *** Meanwhile, a Texas judge ordered a temporary freeze on the money and assets in a trust controlled by Tom Benson, an order requested by his daughter, Renee Benson. The temporary restraining order, signed by Judge Thomas Rickhoff of Bexar County on Wednesday, prevents Benson from withdrawing, transferring or otherwise diminishing the value of the Shirley L. Benson Testamentary Trust. Shirley L. Benson was Benson's first wife. Gayle, Benson's third wife, was preceded by Grace. The 27-page petition reveals a series of incidents Renee, Rita and Ryan claim illustrate Tom Benson's deteriorating mental and physical health. Among them: He has been heavily medicated in the past year and has 'acknowledged on occasions that he does not know his age, where he is, what day of the week it is, nor what the date is.' His mental acuity and memory have declined so much that 'on at least one occasion (he) failed to recognize his daughter, Renee,' and 'failed to remember or commemorate her birthday.' Further, it claims he recently was asked to name the current president of the United States and replied Ronald Reagan, then guessed Harry Truman on his second attempt. His diet has diminished to the point that he rarely consumes full meals and subsists mainly on 'candy, ice cream, sodas and red wine.' |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |page=A1 }}
* {{cite court |litigants=Prytania Square Condo Association v. Gayle Bird |vol= |reporter=1990-30136-F Small Claims |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1990 }}
* {{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 23, 2015 |title=UPDATE: Judge Orders Tom Benson to Undergo Mental Evaluation |quote=The suit attempts to paint Gayle Benson as a [[gold digger]] who is trying to take advantage of the Saints owner's health. It asks the court to appoint Renee Benson as executor of Tom Benson's sports and business empire with Rita Leblanc taking a secondary position. |url=https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/update-judge-orders-tom-benson-to-undergo-mental-evaluation/153935837 |work=[[NBC]] [[KTVE]] |location=[[El Dorado, Arkansas]] |access-date=January 23, 2015 }}
* {{cite court |litigants=Donna Morell, wife of/and, et al. v. Gayle Bird |vol= |reporter=1991-50984-F |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1991}}
* {{cite interview |title=But we do we begin this half hour with a family inheritance battle now gone public |quote=But we do we begin this half hour with a family inheritance battle now gone public. At stake is the ownership of both an NFL and an NBA team. This, after the current owner announced his plans to pass the team down to his current wife rather than on to his family as he'd originally planned. NBC's Janet Shamlian has more. *** It's a family feud with ownership of the [[New Orleans Saints]] hanging in the balance. *** Family members of eighty-seven-year-old current owner Tom Benson say he is incompetent. The claim coming in a lawsuit filed one day after Benson unexpectedly announced a change in the Saints' future ownership. Now saying the team will go to his third wife, Gayle Benson instead of his family. They released this statement: 'Sadly, the Benson family was forced to take this action in the best interest of Tom Benson and his legacy...and the multitude of Pelicans and Saints fans.' Benson also owns the NBA Pelicans team. The suit portrays sixty-seven-year-old Gayle Benson as a manipulative [[gold digger]], capitalizing on her husband's failing health, claiming she keeps him heavily medicated, away from his family and has been feeding him a bizarre diet of candy, ice cream, sodas and red wine. |publisher=NBC |location=New York City |date=January 24, 2015 |work=[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today Show]] }}
* {{cite court |litigants=Consolidated Freightways v. Gayle Bird Interiors, Ltd. |vol= |reporter=1991-54230-F |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1991}}
* {{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 25, 2015 |title=Tom Benson deserves better than this squabble |quote=Gayle Benson, as wife No. 3, is cast in the stereotypical role of [[gold digger]] out to alienate the aging father from his children and seize the riches for herself. |url=https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/opinion/2015/01/25/tom-benson-deserves-better-squabble/22325011/ |work=[[The Daily Advertiser (Lafayette)|The Daily Advertiser]] |location=[[Lafayette, Louisiana]] |access-date=January 25, 2015 }}
* {{cite court |litigants=Imperial Wallcoverings, Inc. d/b/a et al. v. Gayle Bird Interiors, Ltd. |vol= |reporter=1992-52805-F |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1992}}
* {{cite news |last=Grimm |first=Andy |date=January 30, 2015 |title=Prenuptial agreement wouldn't keep Gayle Benson from taking over Saints, Pelicans, expert says |quote=Renee Benson and her children filed a lawsuit seeking to declare Tom Benson incompetent to make his own decisions, and to put Renee Benson in charge of the family's fortune. Among their arguments painting Gayle Benson as a [[gold digger]] who is manipulating the family patriarch, the lawsuit notes, briefly, that when Tom Benson married the former Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird in 2004, the couple signed the prenuptial agreement. |url=https://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/01/prenuptial_agreement_wouldnt_k.html |work=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=January 30, 2015 }}
* {{cite court |litigants=Gayle Bird v. Janet R. Stone |vol= |reporter=1993-54966-F |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1993}}
* {{cite news |last=Belson |first=Ken |date=March 6, 2015 |title=Saints' Owner Marches Out of Step With His Heirs' Expectations |quote=Is Mr. Benson feeble or frail? Is Gayle Benson a [[gold digger]] or his protector? Are his daughter and grandchildren spoiled or spurned? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/07/sports/football/tom-benson-saints-owner-and-heirs-are-locked-in-an-inheritance-dispute.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] |access-date=March 6, 2015 }}
* {{cite court |litigants=AAA Detective Agency, Inc. v. Gayle L. Bird |vol= |reporter=1994-50106-F |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1994}}
* {{cite court |litigants=Edmund Lee & Associates, Inc. v. Gayle Bird Interiors, Ltd. |vol= |reporter=1995-55289-F |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1995}}
* {{cite court |litigants=Schwegmann Bank and Trust Company v. Gayle Bird Interiors, Ltd. |vol= |reporter=1996-50162-F |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1996}}
* {{cite court |litigants=John Demers v. Gayle Bird |vol= |reporter=1996-53354-F |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1996}}
* {{cite court |litigants=Helen Authement d/b/a Authement Glass Co. v. Gayle Bird Interiors, Ltd. |vol= |reporter=1996-55326-F |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1996}}
* {{cite court |litigants=Crown Leisure Products, a Division of Woodard, Inc. v. Gayle Bird Interiors, Ltd. |vol= |reporter=1996-56687-F |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1996}}
* {{cite court |litigants=Prytania Square Condominium Association v. Gayle Bird |vol= |reporter=1996-58699-F |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1996}}
* {{cite court |litigants=Property 1, Inc. agents for 1820 St. Charles Ave. Bldg. v. Gayle Bird |vol= |reporter=1997-56021-F |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1997}}
* {{cite court |litigants=Intrepid Enterprises, Inc. v. Gayle Bird Interiors, Ltd. |vol= |reporter=1998-50828-F |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=First City Court, New Orleans |date=1998}}


* {{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publication-date=June 30, 1988 |title=First City Court, New Orleans, Lawsuits, Jeanne S. Duhe (CPA) vs. Gayle Bird |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |work= |page=G14 }}
* {{cite court |litigants=Consolidated Freightways v. Gayle Bird |vol=626 |reporter=So.2d |opinion=445 |pinpoint=447 |court=La. App. 4 Cir. |date=1993 |url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=10819178155236740574&q=%22Gayle+Bird%22&hl=en&as_sdt=4,19#p447 |quote=We therefore affirm the judgment in favor of Consolidated Freightways for $1,689.67 plus costs.}}
* {{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |publication-date=January 27, 2015 |title=Previous lawsuits could be flags in vetting *** Gayle Benson faced claims from '87 to '00 |newspaper=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The New Orleans Advocate]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |work= |page=1A }}
* {{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon Antonio |date=February 1, 2015 |title=Source: Unlikely past lawsuits against Gayle Benson will worry NFL, NBA officials; here's what they will focus on |quote=Before [[Tom Benson]] came into her life, Gayle suffered [[Finance|financial]] challenges and was the subject of [[Lawsuit|litigation]] and [[Foreclosure|foreclosure]]. *** If the leagues' background checks are as detailed as they're reputed to be, it's likely they'll come across at least 20 or so civil lawsuits in [[New Orleans]] that named her as a [[Defendant|defendant]] between about 1987 and 2000, mostly involving [[Interior design|interior design]] projects she or a company of hers oversaw. One [[Judgement|judgment]] rendered against a company belonging to her and an ex-husband found the outfit owed an [[Electrical contractor|electrical contractor]] $5,050 and interest. In another case that was settled for an undisclosed amount, Gayle Benson was accused of over billing a client for materials such as expensive rugs bought from a third party to carry out a project with a budget of $130,000 to $150,000 to renovate a portion of a condominium tower. [[Foreclosure|Foreclosing]] proceedings in 1999 began on a home Gayle Benson owned in [[Uptown New Orleans]]. A similar thing occurred previously on at least two properties she was listed as owning a part of. |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_9df84253-e101-5c24-8b6e-ddc9f64f9cba.html |work=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The New Orleans Advocate]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=February 1, 2015 }}
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'''[[#nbFoot42a|^]]''' {{cite news |last=Hiatt |first=Gabe |date=January 22, 2015 |title=Spurned daughter, grandchildren sue Saints owner for writing them out of will |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2015/01/22/spurned-daughter-grandchildren-sue-saints-owner-for-writing-them-out-of-will/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.290332515578 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |location=[[Washington, D.C]] |access-date=January 22, 2015 }}
* {{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 22, 2015 |title=Report: TX judge freezes large chunk of Benson assets |quote=The suit attempts to paint Gayle Benson as a [[Gold digging|gold digger]] who is trying to take advantage of the Saints owner's health. |url=http://raycomgroup.worldnow.com/story/27918445/report-tx-judge-freezes-large-chunk-of-benson-assets |work=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] [[WVUE-DT|WVUE]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=January 22, 2015 }}
* {{cite news |last=Duncan |first=Jeff |publication-date=January 23, 2015 |title=Lawsuit Claims Tom Is Confused, Gayle Is In Over Her Head |quote=The suit portrays Gayle Benson, 67, as a [[Gold digging|gold-digging]] [[Opportunism|opportunist]] who has taken advantage of her husband's unfit state of health and ostracized family members in grasping for power and riches. *** Meanwhile, a Texas judge ordered a temporary freeze on the money and assets in a trust controlled by Tom Benson, an order requested by his daughter, Renee Benson. The temporary restraining order, signed by Judge Thomas Rickhoff of Bexar County on Wednesday, prevents Benson from withdrawing, transferring or otherwise diminishing the value of the Shirley L. Benson Testamentary Trust. Shirley L. Benson was Benson's first wife. Gayle, Benson's third wife, was preceded by Grace. The 27-page petition reveals a series of incidents Renee, Rita and Ryan claim illustrate Tom Benson's deteriorating mental and physical health. Among them: He has been heavily medicated in the past year and has 'acknowledged on occasions that he does not know his age, where he is, what day of the week it is, nor what the date is.' His mental acuity and memory have declined so much that 'on at least one occasion (he) failed to recognize his daughter, Renee,' and 'failed to remember or commemorate her birthday.' Further, it claims he recently was asked to name the current president of the United States and replied Ronald Reagan, then guessed Harry Truman on his second attempt. His diet has diminished to the point that he rarely consumes full meals and subsists mainly on 'candy, ice cream, sodas and red wine.' |newspaper=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |work= |page=A1 }}
* {{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 23, 2015 |title=UPDATE: Judge Orders Tom Benson to Undergo Mental Evaluation |quote=The suit attempts to paint Gayle Benson as a [[Gold digging|gold digger]] who is trying to take advantage of the Saints owner's health. It asks the court to appoint Renee Benson as executor of Tom Benson's sports and business empire with Rita Leblanc taking a secondary position. |url=https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/update-judge-orders-tom-benson-to-undergo-mental-evaluation/153935837 |work=[[NBC]] [[KTVE]] |location=[[El Dorado, Arkansas]] |access-date=January 23, 2015 }}
* {{cite interview |last= |first= |subject-link= |interviewer= |title=But we do we begin this half hour with a family inheritance battle now gone public |quote=But we do we begin this half hour with a family inheritance battle now gone public. At stake is the ownership of both an NFL and an NBA team. This, after the current owner announced his plans to pass the team down to his current wife rather than on to his family as he'd originally planned. NBC's Janet Shamlian has more. *** It's a family feud with ownership of the [[New Orleans Saints]] hanging in the balance. *** Family members of eighty-seven-year-old current owner Tom Benson say he is incompetent. The claim coming in a lawsuit filed one day after Benson unexpectedly announced a change in the Saints' future ownership. Now saying the team will go to his third wife, Gayle Benson instead of his family. They released this statement: 'Sadly, the Benson family was forced to take this action in the best interest of Tom Benson and his legacy...and the multitude of Pelicans and Saints fans.' Benson also owns the NBA Pelicans team. The suit portrays sixty-seven-year-old Gayle Benson as a manipulative [[Gold digging|gold digger]], capitalizing on her husband's failing health, claiming she keeps him heavily medicated, away from his family and has been feeding him a bizarre diet of candy, ice cream, sodas and red wine. |url= |publisher=[[NBC]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] |date=January 24, 2015 |work=[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today Show]] |access-date=January 24, 2015 }}
* {{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 25, 2015 |title=Tom Benson deserves better than this squabble |quote=Gayle Benson, as wife No. 3, is cast in the stereotypical role of [[Gold digging|gold digger]] out to alienate the aging father from his children and seize the riches for herself. |url=https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/opinion/2015/01/25/tom-benson-deserves-better-squabble/22325011/ |work=[[The Daily Advertiser (Lafayette)|The Daily Advertiser]] |location=[[Lafayette, Louisiana]] |access-date=January 25, 2015 }}
* {{cite news |last=Sherwell |first=Philip |date=January 30, 2015 |title=The extraordinary family battle for control of New Orleans Saints and a $2 billion fortune: Self-made billionaire Tom Benson and his third wife are waging an ugly courtroom fight with the daughter and grandchildren whom he once anointed as his heirs | quote=Allies of 'three Rs' have in turn depicted Mr Benson’s third wife as a profligate and domineering [[Gold digging|gold-digger]]. |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11375944/The-extraordinary-family-battle-for-control-of-New-Orleans-Saints-and-a-2-billion-fortune.html |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=[[London]] |access-date=January 30, 2015 }}
* {{cite news |last=Grimm |first=Andy |date=January 30, 2015 |title=Prenuptial agreement wouldn't keep Gayle Benson from taking over Saints, Pelicans, expert says |quote=Renee Benson and her children filed a lawsuit seeking to declare Tom Benson incompetent to make his own decisions, and to put Renee Benson in charge of the family's fortune. Among their arguments painting Gayle Benson as a [[Gold digging|gold digger]] who is manipulating the family patriarch, the lawsuit notes, briefly, that when Tom Benson married the former Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird in 2004, the couple signed the prenuptial agreement. |url=https://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/01/prenuptial_agreement_wouldnt_k.html |work=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=January 30, 2015 }}
* {{cite news |last=Belson |first=Ken |date=March 6, 2015 |title=Saints' Owner Marches Out of Step With His Heirs' Expectations |quote=Is Mr. Benson feeble or frail? Is Gayle Benson a [[Gold digging|gold digger]] or his protector? Are his daughter and grandchildren spoiled or spurned? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/07/sports/football/tom-benson-saints-owner-and-heirs-are-locked-in-an-inheritance-dispute.html |work=[[The New York Times|The New York Times]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] |access-date=March 6, 2015 }}
* {{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=June 17, 2016 |title=Tom Benson reaches settlement with family over Saints, Pelicans discord | quote=Benson had disowned his familial heirs, who had portrayed 67-year-old Gayle Benson as an [[Opportunism|opportunistic]] [[Gold digging|gold digger]] after marrying her father in 2004 a year after his previous wife, Grace, died of Parkinson's disease. |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/tom-benson-reaches-settlement-family-203630065.html |work=[[Yahoo Sports|Yahoo! Sports]] |location= |access-date=June 17, 2016 }}
</li>
<li id="noteFoot52a" value="52">
'''[[#nbFoot52a|^]]''' {{cite news |last=Gatto |first=Matt |date=June 29, 2016 |title=Gayle Benson testifies in husband's competency hearing |url=http://www.14news.com/story/29291936/gayle-benson-testifies-in-husbands-competency-hearing |work=[[NBC]] [[WFIE]] |location=Evansville, IN |access-date=June 29, 2016 }}
* {{cite news |last=Martel |first=Brett |date=April 2, 2015 |title=Judge receives Benson psychiatric report, sets hearing |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/2/judge-receives-benson-psychiatric-report-sets-hear/ |work=[[The Washington Times]] |location=[[Washington, D.C.]] |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}
* {{cite news |last=Mackel |first=Travers |date=June 24, 2015 |title=Renee Benson, Rita and Ryan LeBlanc file appeal in Tom Benson competency case |url=https://www.wdsu.com/article/renee-benson-rita-and-ryan-leblanc-file-appeal-in-tom-benson-competency-case-1/3378143 |work=[[NBC]] [[WDSU]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=June 24, 2015 }}
* {{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Tom Benson talks to WVUE FOX 8 on camera for 1st time since lawsuit |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCef-L4m974 |work=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] [[WVUE-DT|WVUE]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=January 23, 2015 }}</ref>
</li>
<li id="noteFoot55a" value="55">
'''[[#nbFoot55a|^]]''' {{Cite news|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_9716e143-261a-5ee2-892e-87d1efc89440.html |title=Lawsuit: Ex-Tom Benson assistant claims he was racially harassed by wife Gayle, treated 'with disdain and disrespect' |last=Vargas |first=Ramon Antonio |date=January 22, 2016 |work=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The New Orleans Advocate]] |access-date=August 7, 2018 |language=en}}
* {{cite news |last=Cariello |first=Dave |date=January 19, 2016 |title=Rodney Henry, Tom Benson's longtime assistant, claims racial discrimination, harassment by Benson's wife |quote=Henry in 2014 heard Gayle Benson say, 'I hate that black son of a b---- and am going to get rid of him,' according to the filing, among other incidents described in the lawsuit. |url=https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2016/1/19/10794328/rodney-henry-tom-bensons-longtime-assistant-claims-racial |work=[[Vox Media|Vox Media, Inc.]] |location= |access-date=January 19, 2016 }}
* {{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |date=January 22, 2016 |title=Lawsuit: Ex-Tom Benson assistant claims he was racially harassed by wife Gayle, treated 'with disdain and disrespect': Says Gayle treated him with 'disrespect' |quote=Tom Benson asked Henry to take him to the hospital. Henry said he obeyed and then unsuccessfully tried to contact Gayle Benson. Once Tom Benson was settled at the hospital, the lawsuit alleges, Gayle Benson called Henry and asked, 'Why did you take my husband to the hospital, you black son of a b----?' |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_9716e143-261a-5ee2-892e-87d1efc89440.html |work=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The New Orleans Advocate]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=January 22, 2016 }}
* {{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=April 4, 2016 |title=Settlement not reached in case of former Benson personal assistant |quote=Rodney Henry alleges he's owed back overtime pay for hours worked and claimed Gayle Benson used racial slurs about him. The Saints fired Henry last year after the high-profile interdiction trial over whether [[Tom Benson]] is still fit to handle his own business and personal affairs. Henry sued the Benson family and the Saints in November 2015. In the complaint, Henry said he had reported allegations of racial discrimination by Gayle Benson to the Saints' human resources department. Henry also claims his firing stemmed from an increasingly strained relationship because of his testimony in a deposition in the interdiction trial. 'We think that they may not have been happy with the substance of his testimony and at the same time, the timing of Mr. Henry's termination, literally within a week of the judge issuing the ruling in the interdiction proceeding, we find to be suspect,' said Christopher Williams, Henry's attorney, shortly after the lawsuit was filed. |url=https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/settlement-not-reached-in-case-of-former-benson-personal-assistant/119761547 |work=[[CBS]] [[WWL-TV]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=April 4, 2016 }}
* {{cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon |date=May 23, 2016 |title=Tom Benson's use of term 'porter' to describe ex-aide has racial connotations, attorney says |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_10da6bfa-a16c-5dcb-afbe-84557545c02d.html |work=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)|The New Orleans Advocate]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=May 23, 2016 }}
*{{cite news |last=Triplett |first=Mike |date=January 20, 2016 |title=Rodney Henry alleges racial discrimination against Gayle Benson in suit |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14606580/rodney-henry-long-assistant-tom-benson-alleges-racial-discrimination-harrassment-gayle-benson?ex_cid=espnapi_public |work=[[ESPN]] |location= |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}
*{{cite news |last=Fitzgerald |first=Matt |date=January 19, 2016 |title=Tom Benson's Former Assistant Accuses Benson's Wife of Racial Discrimination |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2609305-tom-bensons-former-assistant-sues-wife-gayle-over-alleged-racial-discrimination |work=[[Turner Entertainment|Turner Sports and Entertainment Network]] |location= |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}
</li>
<li id="noteFoot58a" value="58">
'''[[#nbFoot58a|^]]''' {{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=July 26, 2018 |title=Saints must pay $384K to fired assistant of late owner Tom Benson |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/07/26/fired-assistant-to-late-saints-owner-awarded-more-than-384k/37145315/ |work=[[USA Today]] |location=[[McLean, Virginia]] |access-date=July 26, 2018 }}
*{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=July 26, 2018 |title=Saints ordered to pay $400,000 to former Benson aide |url=https://wwl.radio.com/articles/new-orleans-saints-ordered-pay-400000-former-tom-benson-aide |work=[[WWL-FM|WWL]] Radio |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=January 26, 2018 }}
*{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=July 26, 2018 |title=Fired assistant to late Saints owner awarded more than $384K |url=https://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2018/07/fired_assistant_to_late_saints.html |work=[[The Times-Picayune]] |location=[[New Orleans]] |access-date=July 26, 2018 }}
*{{cite news |last=Martel |first=Brett |date=July 26, 2018 |title=Fired assistant to late Saints owner awarded more than $384K |url=https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/article215619285.html |work=[[Idaho Statesman]] |location=[[Boise, Idaho]] |access-date=July 26, 2018 }}
* {{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=July 26, 2018 |title=Fired assistant to late Saints owner awarded more than $384K |quote=Henry's initial lawsuit in November 2015 accused the Saints not only of failing to pay overtime, but also of firing him for complaining that Benson's wife, Gayle, made racially insensitive comments about him. Henry, who is black, has not been awarded any damages for claims of racism. *** Gayle Benson is now the sole owner of the [[New Orleans Saints|Saints]] and NBA's [[New Orleans Pelicans|Pelicans]], having inherited the clubs after her husband's death last March. |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180726/sports/307269913 |work=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]] |location=[[Arlington Heights, Illinois]] |access-date=July 26, 2018 }}
</li>
</li>

</ol>
</ol>

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Revision as of 23:29, 23 March 2024

For the British model, see Gale Benson.

Gayle Benson
Benson in 2018
Benson in 2018
Born
Gayle Marie LaJaunie

(1947-01-26) January 26, 1947 (age 77)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Occupation(s)Businesswoman and sports franchise owner
Known forPrincipal owner, New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans
Spouse(s)
Nace Solomone
​
​
(m. 1967; div. 1972)​
[1]
Thomas Bird
​
​
(m. 1977; div. 1987)​
[2]
​
​
(m. 2004; died 2018)​

Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird Benson (born January 26, 1947) is an American businesswoman who is the owner of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) and the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). She became the principal owner of the Saints and Pelicans following the death of her husband, Tom Benson, in 2018.[3][4][5]

Early life

She was born Gayle Marie LaJaunie, the daughter of Francis J. LaJaunie (January 5, 1924 – July 18, 2010), and Marie Folse LaJaunie (1924 – May 30, 2010).[6][7]

She grew up in Algiers, New Orleans, and attended St. Joseph, St. Anthony and Holy Name of Mary schools. She graduated from Martin Behrman High School in 1966.[8][9][10]

Career

Early career

Benson began her career in receptionist and secretarial positions while doing interior design before buying and renovating businesses with her second husband, Thomas "T-Bird" Bird. Following their divorce, Benson continued an interior decorating business called Gayle Bird Interiors, Ltd.[8][11]

In the first ten years, Gayle and her then-husband Thomas Bird, renovated one hundred properties.[12][13]

New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans

Benson became the owner of both the Saints and Pelicans following the death of her husband Tom.[14]

Benson is one of ten female NFL owners, 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).[15]

Benson and Allen (Portland Trail Blazers) are two of five female owners in the NBA, along with Jeanie Buss (Los Angeles Lakers), Miriam Adelson (Dallas Mavericks) and Ann Walton Kroenke (Denver Nuggets).

Tom Benson had planned on bequeathing the voting stock shares of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans to his daughter Renee Benson, grandson Ryan Benson LeBlanc, and granddaughter Rita Benson LeBlanc.[5][16]

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 was named his heir.[17][18]

Tom Benson's daughter and grandchildren filed lawsuits challenging his decision to name Gayle his heir, questioning his mental competency.[19][20][21]

Tom Benson was determined to be mentally competent and was allowed to change his will to leave ownership of the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans to his wife.[22][23][24]

Labor complaints

Rodney Henry, former personal assistant to Tom Benson, filed a lawsuit accusing the New Orleans Saints and Gayle Benson of racism and violations of federal labor laws. The lawsuit claimed that Gayle Benson had treated him with disrespect because of his race.[25][26][27] An NFL arbitrator ruled in favor of Henry and against the Saints on the labor complaint, awarding him overtime pay, a contractual payout for his dismissal, and attorney's fees; however, the same arbitrator ruled against Henry on the claims of racism.[28][29][30]

Dixie Brewing Company, LLC

In July 2017, it was announced that Tom and Gayle Benson had finalized an agreement to buy a majority share of Dixie Brewing Co.[31] The company's brewery plant had been damaged and closed after Hurricane Katrina.[32][31] On August 7, 2018, Benson announced, with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, that Dixie Brewery would open a distribution center at the old MacFrugal's Distribution Center in New Orleans East.[33][34][35]

Thoroughbred Racing

G M B Racing is the thoroughbred racing stable of Gayle Benson, who owned 2016 Kentucky Derby starters Mo Tom and Tom's Ready and owned 2018 contender Lone Sailor. Tom's Ready was a fine sprinter in mid-2016, winning both the Grade 2 Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park and the Ack Ack Stakes at Churchill Downs.[36]

Personal life

Benson has been married three times. Her first marriage was to Nace Anthony Salomone, on April 8, 1967, which ended in a divorce and annulment in 1972.[1][8] Her second marriage was to Thomas "T-Bird" Bird, on February 14, 1977, in South Pass, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, which ended in a divorce on June 25, 1987.[2]

Gayle's third marriage was to Tom Benson, on October 29, 2004, in San Antonio, Texas. They met at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans at a mass. They were married until his death in 2018.[37][38][39][40][41][42]

On October 22, 2014, Gayle Benson and her husband commemorated their tenth anniversary by renewing their wedding vows at St. Louis Cathedral.[43][44][45]

Philanthropy

While married, Gayle and Tom Benson funded the construction of the Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, which opened on campus on September 1, 2008.[46][47]

In January 2012, Benson and her husband were awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for their service to Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XVI.[48][49]

In November 2012, Gayle Benson and her husband, Tom, donated $7.5 million towards the construction of Tulane University's Yulman Stadium.[50] The playing surface is known as Benson Field.[51][52]

In 2015, the Benson family gave $20 million for cancer care and research.[53][54]

In February 2019, the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Trust donated $5 million to Jesuit High School.[55]

In March 2019, the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Trust donated $3.5 million to Second Harvest[56]

In September 2019, the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Trust donated $1 million to the campaign of Children's of Mississippi to build a playground at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.[57]

In December 2023, Ochsner Health System announced it would be constructing a new, standalone children's hospital with a significant donation from Gayle Benson. The 343,000-square-feet facility will be named The Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children's Hospital. [58]

References

  1. ^ a b Nace Anthony Solomone v. Gayle La Jaunie Solomone, Case No. 129-740, Division "A" (La. 24th J.D.C. March 16, 1972) ("On or about August 11, 1970, defendant, Gayle LaJaunie oSalomone, abandoned petitioner by moving out of the matrimonial domicile without lawful cause and since that date has constantly refused to return and/or live with petitioner.").
  2. ^ a b Gayle LaJauine Bird v. Thomas Sinnott Bird, Sr., Case No. 86-16643, Section "K," Division "2" (Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans June 25, 1987).
  3. ^ Allee-Walsh, Brian (June 1, 2018). "First Lady of Sports in New Orleans making her presence felt early and often". sunherald.com. Sun Herald. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  4. ^ "Gayle Benson becomes Saints, Pelicans owner". ProFootballTalk - NBC Sports. March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  5. ^ a b White, Jaquetta; Vargas, Ramon Antonio (February 3, 2015). "Tom Benson ups ante in proposal to take Saints, Pelicans out of estranged heirs' trust". theadvocate.com. The New Orleans Advocate. Retrieved February 3, 2015. Benson's lawyers also said for the first time this week that the entirety of the teams do not reside in those trusts. Attorney Paul Cordes said the various trusts contain 95 percent of the shares of Benson Basketball, the holding company for the Pelicans of the NBA. The trusts also contain 60 percent of the shares of Benson Football, the holding company for the NFL's Saints. The remaining shares are held by Tom Benson, who controls all of the voting shares in both companies. Holders of nonvoting shares typically have little or no voice on corporate matters. Such shares are usually granted to individuals who are willing to invest in the company's profitability and success without receiving voting rights in the company's direction.
  6. ^ "Marie LaJaunie, Benson's mom-in-law". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. June 1, 2010. p. B3. Marie LaJaunie, the mother-in-law of New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, died Sunday at her New Orleans home. She was 85. Her daughter Gayle, who married Benson in October 2004, said Mrs. LaJaunie was "dedicated to children and children's causes." "She had a passion for life," Tom Benson said. "She lived a full life, and she will be sorely missed by us all." A lifelong New Orleanian who grew up in Algiers, Mrs. LaJaunie met Francis LaJaunie, the man she would marry, when they attended Adolph Meyer Elementary School. She had to withdraw before high school because her mother had died and she had to raise her younger brother and sister. When her daughter Gayle had an interior-design firm, Mrs. LaJaunie helped her run the business side of the enterprise, and she assisted in designing and scheduling. Survivors include her husband, Francis LaJaunie; a son, Wayne LaJaunie; two daughters, Gayle Benson and Brenda LaJaunie; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral and burial will be private.
  7. ^ "Funeral Notice - LaJaunie". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. June 4, 2010. Marie Folse LaJaunie passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2010 under the care of hospice at Chateau Living Center in Kenner, LA at the age of 85. She is survived by her husband Francis LaJaunie; three children; Gayle Benson, Wayne LaJaunie, and Brenda (Bee) LaJaunie Ernst; four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Marie was a devout Catholic with a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. Marie was an auxiliary member of the Legion of Mary for eight years. She was a parishioner of Divine Mercy in Kenner, LA. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Memorial Mass at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. (in Metairie Cemetery) on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 12:00 PM. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. until service time. Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to a hospice of your choice or masses preferred. To sign and view the Family Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.
  8. ^ a b c 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.
  9. ^ Pope, John (October 29, 2004). "This time, the Benson boogie will be down a church aisle: A winning team". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. pp. A1, A13. In the beginning was the word, and the word was from the Book of Acts, and it was read by a soft-spoken brunette at an early Mass in April in St. Louis Cathedral. In the congregation was the recently widowed Tom Benson, who asked to be introduced to Gayle Bird after the 7:30 a.m. service. They spoke, and Benson invited her, through his assistant, to join him at a VooDoo game -- he owns the arena football franchise -- on Mother's Day. ... Margarita Bergen, the French Quarter gallery owner, not only wore Saints colors -- gold top, long black skirt -- but also had dusted her eyelids and cheeks with gold. 'It's gold, gold everywhere,' she said, gesturing broadly as she air-kissed her way through the crowd. ... Bird, who describes herself as a native of Algiers 'before it was fashionable,' graduated from Martin Behrman High School. She has built a successful business, Gayle Bird Creations, designing interiors not only for homes but also offices and hotels, as well as exquisitely coordinated Christmas trees.
  10. ^ Benson, Gayle (October 2, 2013). "Angela Hill One on One with Gayle Benson" (Interview). Interviewed by Angela Hill. New Orleans: WWL-FM Radio. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2013. HILL: Your life took a magnificent turn -- almost nine years ago when -- you met Tom. And we want to hear all about this sort of fairy tale life I think we envisioned for you but before that I think people would be very interested to know. That you're. You grew up on the West Bank and your you're a Marrero girl. BENSON: Algiers. HILL: Algiers. Excuse me. BENSON: Before it was fashionable. HILL: Oh I see. [Hill and Benson start to laugh] HILL: Talk to us about growing up.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Roniger, Marjorie (June 22, 1985). "Decorator lives in showcase, will see home after renovation". The Times-Picayune/The States-Item. New Orleans. p. 20. 'We have renovated over 100 properties and in the past 10 years we lived in five houses.' interior designer Gayle Bird said. 'We will sell this one too when it's finished,' she added referring to her 1819 Victorian home at 1702 Valance St. in Uptown New Orleans. It was gutted and renovated in the past year, by Bird and her husband, Thomas Bird.
  13. ^ Stuary, Lettice (May 9, 1982). "The Inside Story". Times-Picayune: Dixie Magazine. New Orleans. p. 22. Bird and her husband have bought, renovated, decorated and sold about 100 houses in Uptown New Orleans. Among her interior design clients are broadcasters Angela Hill and Garland Robinette and P.M. Magazine host Lee Sinclair. 'When anyone calls me to redo a room, the first question I ask is how much she's got to spend,' says Bird. 'That way we don't have to waste time looking at $50-a yard fabric when she wants to spend $20.'
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Texans owner Janice McNair: 'You play to win'". March 29, 2019.
  16. ^ Sayre, Katherine; Grimm, Andy (March 12, 2015). "Benson hits back with new lawsuit - Stock in Saints, Pelicans would be stripped from trust funds". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. p. A1. Benson has maintained complete control of the Saints and Pelicans franchises by keeping all the voting shares and moving only non-voting shares into family trusts. He has 40 percent of the Saints, while his heirs' trusts contain 60 percent. The trusts own 95 percent of the Pelicans, with Benson owning only 5 percent -- though his portion constitutes all the Pelicans' voting shares. The lawsuit lays out what Tom Benson is seeking to remove from the trusts: All shares in a group of companies known as the Zelia entities, which hold interests in Benson Tower, Champions Square, Jefferson Parish real estate for Benson auto dealerships, a surface parking lot at Claiborne Avenue and Poydras Street, and other assets in Texas. All shares in Benson Football, Benson Basketball, which are the holding companies for the Saints and Pelicans. All shares in Bensco, a holding company for interests in Benson's San Antonio area dealerships and other assets. According to the lawsuit, Benson is swapping those $556 million in assets for: Real estate in Blanco County, Texas, of unspecified value. Canceled debt the trusts owe Benson totaling $94.5 million. More than $450 million in promissory notes.
  17. ^ "Saints owner suddenly spikes grandchildren, hands team to wife". New York Post. January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  18. ^ Zurik, Lee (January 23, 2015). "Benson family drama, told in letters and court filings". Fox Broadcasting Company WVUE. New Orleans. Retrieved January 23, 2015. During the over 80 years of my life, I have built a rather large estate which was intended to mainly be for you all as my family. Suddenly after I remarried you all became offensive and did not act in an appropriate manner and even had arguments among yourselves which created a very unpleasant family situation which I will not stand for. It made me very unhappy and uncomfortable. This situation cannot continue at my age. Because of the facts set out above and the heart break you have caused me I want no further contact with any of you and you will not be allowed to enter the Saint's facilities or games, the Basketball facilities or Pelicans games, the Benson Towers, the T.V. facilities or the automotive facilities in New Orleans and will have no right to give directions, orders or hire or fire any of the personnel.
  19. ^ Gatto, Matt (June 29, 2016). "Gayle Benson testifies in husband's competency hearing". NBC WFIE. Evansville, IN. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  20. ^ "Tom Benson's kin testify in Saints and Pelicans owner's competency case". ESPN. June 2, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  21. ^ "UPDATE: Judge Orders Tom Benson to Undergo Mental Evaluation". Fox News. January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ Ley, Tom (January 23, 2015). "Suit: Saints Owner Tom Benson Is Being Manipulated By His Scheming Wife". deadspin.com. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  24. ^ "Benson: Estranged heirs tried to kill me 'for one thing'". NBC WDSU. New Orleans. May 21, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  25. ^ Vargas, Ramon Antonio (January 22, 2016). "Lawsuit: Ex-Tom Benson assistant claims he was racially harassed by wife Gayle, treated 'with disdain and disrespect'". The Advocate. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  26. ^ "NFL/NBA now have a Donald Sterling problem with Gayle Benson". saintsreport.com. January 19, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  27. ^ Putterman, Alex (January 20, 2016). "Ex-assistant alleges racist comments by Saints owner's wife". MSN. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  28. ^ "Saints must pay $384K to fired assistant of late owner Tom Benson". USA Today. McLean, Virginia. July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ Triplett, Mike (July 26, 2018). "Saints ordered to pay $400,000 to former assistant of Tom Benson". ESPN. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  31. ^ a b Vargas, Ramon (July 27, 2017). "Tom, Gayle Benson finalize deal to buy majority of Dixie Brewing Co., build new brewery". Sun Herald. Biloxi, Mississippi.
  32. ^ "The National Scene". Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. February 22, 2006. p. E3. Dixie Brewing Co. survived but owners Joe and Kendra Bruno told Modern Brewery Age 'it will be a while before the brewery is turning out beer.' The Brunos are considering offers from other brewers to produce Dixie beer. 'Dixie will rise again,' Kendra says.
  33. ^ "Dixie beer is coming home: Brewery, pub planned for New Orleans East". ABC WGNO. New Orleans. August 7, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  34. ^ Monteverde, Danny (July 27, 2017). "Benson buys Dixie Brewing Co., hopes to revive struggling brand: New brewery to be built in New Orleans". CBS WWL-TV. New Orleans. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  35. ^ Thompson, Richard (August 7, 2018). "Dixie returns: New Orleans brewery to be built at site of former MacFrugal's building". The Advocate. Baton Rouge. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  36. ^ "G M B Racing". TJC Media Ventures. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  37. ^ Benson, Gayle (October 2, 2013). "Angela Hill One on One with Gayle Benson" (Interview). Interviewed by Angela Hill. New Orleans: WWL-FM Radio. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  38. ^ Langenhennig, Susan (October 22, 2014). "At home with Tom and Gayle Benson: A historic mansion becomes a regal home for the New Orleans Saints owner". nola.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  39. ^ "Saints owner Benson's wife, Grace, dies". The Baton Rouge Advocate. Baton Rouge. November 19, 2003.
  40. ^ Cooper, Tim (October 28, 2004). "Second Thoughts". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock, Arkansas. p. 24.
  41. ^ "Sport Check". Sun Herald. Biloxi, Mississippi. October 22, 2004. p. D2.
  42. ^ Farmer, Sam (February 2, 2005). "Champs Demand Respect". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. Retrieved February 2, 2005.
  43. ^ Wing, Tyler (October 22, 2014). "Tom and Gayle Benson say, "I do" Again!". ABC WGNO. New Orleans. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  44. ^ Strachan, Sue (October 23, 2014). "Gayle and Tom Benson renew their wedding vows in celebration of their 10th anniversary". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  45. ^ "Ten Years Later, Saints Owners Tom and Gayle Benson say "I Do" Again". Fox Sports. October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  46. ^ Board, Express-News Editorial (March 20, 2018). "Benson made his mark in San Antonio". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  47. ^ "Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium". University of the Incarnate Word Athletics. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  48. ^ Pope, John (January 19, 2012). "Tom and Gayle Benson receive highest papal honor for their generosity to Catholic Church". The Times-Picayune. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018.
  49. ^ Goldstein, Richard (March 15, 2018). "Tom Benson, Tycoon Who Danced With His Saints, Dies at 90". The New York Times. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  50. ^ Strecker, Mike (November 1, 2012). "Tulane names new football venue Yulman Stadium". Tulane University New Wave. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  51. ^ Tulane's field to be named for Benson – San Antonio Express-News. Mysanantonio.com (2012-11-02). Retrieved on 2013-07-29.
  52. ^ "Tulane stadium, field, club seats to honor donors". NBC WDSU. New Orleans. January 27, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  53. ^ Center, Foundation. "Gayle and Tom Benson Give $20 Million for Cancer Care, Research". philanthropynewsdigest.org. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  54. ^ Ahmed, Michael (November 10, 2015). "Benson family donates historic $20 million to Ochsner Cancer Institute". ABC WGNO. New Orleans. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  55. ^ "Gayle Benson to donate $5 million to Jesuit High – the largest gift in school history". nola.com. February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  56. ^ "Gayle Benson donates $3.5 million to Second Harvest Food Bank". wwltv.com. March 15, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  57. ^ "Gayle & Tom Benson Charitable Foundation makes $1 million gift to Children's of Mississippi". neworleansaints.com. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  58. ^ Woodruff, Emily (December 13, 2023). "Ochsner to build new children's hospital in New Orleans area thanks to Gayle Benson's big gift". The Advocate. Retrieved December 14, 2023.

References Continued

  1. ^ White, Jaquetta; Vargas, Ramon Antonio (February 3, 2015). "Tom Benson ups ante in proposal to take Saints, Pelicans out of estranged heirs' trust". theadvocate.com. The New Orleans Advocate. Retrieved February 3, 2015. Benson's lawyers also said for the first time this week that the entirety of the teams do not reside in those trusts. Attorney Paul Cordes said the various trusts contain 95 percent of the shares of Benson Basketball, the holding company for the Pelicans of the NBA. The trusts also contain 60 percent of the shares of Benson Football, the holding company for the NFL's Saints. The remaining shares are held by Tom Benson, who controls all of the voting shares in both companies. Holders of nonvoting shares typically have little or no voice on corporate matters. Such shares are usually granted to individuals who are willing to invest in the company's profitability and success without receiving voting rights in the company's direction.
    • Sayre, Katherine (February 1, 2015). "Lawyers even dispute who owns Saints now - Asset swap on hold -- or a done deal". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. p. A1. By last year, Tom Benson owned 40 percent of the Saints, all in voting shares, while the trusts for his heirs owned about 60 percent, all in non-voting shares, Cordes said. For the Pelicans, Benson owned 5 percent, all voting shares, and the trusts for his heirs held 95 percent, all nonvoting shares.
    • Sayre, Katherine (June 16, 2015). "Judge considers Tom Benson trust change jurisdiction". nola.com. The Times-Picayune. Retrieved June 16, 2015. Tom Benson has maintained all of the power over the Saints and Pelicans franchises by owning all of the voting shares and moving only non-voting shares into family trusts. Benson owns 40 percent of the Saints, while his heirs' trusts own 60 percent. The trusts own 95 percent of the Pelicans, with Benson owning only 5 percent -- though his portion constitutes all the Pelicans' voting shares.
    • Sayre, Katherine (June 16, 2015). "Tom Benson family feud: Saints, Pelicans ownership struggle focus of hearing". nola.com. The Times-Picayune. Retrieved June 16, 2015. Benson owns 40 percent of the Saints, while his heirs' trusts own 60 percent. The trusts own 95 percent of the Pelicans, with Benson owning only 5 percent -- though his portion constitutes all the Pelicans' voting shares.
    • Sayre, Katherine (June 17, 2015). "Judge weighs moving trust fight - Lawyer: Holding companies weren't created in La. - Trustee says New Orleans court doesn't have jurisdiction". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. p. A1. Schonekas, though, argued a Louisiana court doesn't necessarily have jurisdiction because assets are located in the state. As an example, he argued, if assets in the trusts were replaced with property in Montana, it wouldn't mean a Montana court has jurisdiction over Rosenthal. Meanwhile, he said, Benson was listed as a resident of Texas until he declared himself a Louisiana resident in January, as the litigation was getting underway. Benson's lawyers have said federal court is appropriate because Benson is a Louisiana resident and Rosenthal is a Texas resident, making it a federal case. Meanwhile, they argue, the question over Benson's rights to exchange assets is centered on federal tax law. *** Tom Benson has maintained all of the power over the Saints and Pelicans franchises by owning all of the voting shares and moving only non-voting shares into family trusts. Benson owns 40 percent of the Saints, while his heirs' trusts own 60 percent. The trusts own 95 percent of the Pelicans, with Benson owning only 5 percent — though his portion constitutes all the Pelicans' voting shares.
    • Devine, Dan (May 20, 2016). "In court, Pelicans owner claims family members 'tried to kill' him". sports.yahoo.com. Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved May 20, 2016. Benson wants to remove nonvoting shares of the Saints and Pelicans from their trusts; he's allowed to do that if he replaces them with equally valuable assets, but the 'mostly promissory notes' he has offered thus far are being challenged as an 'insufficient exchange' that would short-change the trustees. The trusts hold 60 percent of the Saints and 95 percent of Pelicans, all of which is non-voting stock, with Benson maintaining sole control of the teams by owning all voting stock.
    • Harper, Zach (September 1, 2016). "Trial for Tom Benson's Saints, Pelicans ownership dispute moved to February". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 1, 2016. The trusts involve include 60 percent of the Saints ownership and 95 percent of the Pelicans ownership. His grandchildren have blocked removal of the ownership shares in exchange for promissory notes because they didn't feel the stipulation of replacement for equal value was good enough.
    • Griffin, Tim (June 17, 2016). "Benson and his heirs reach settlement in contentious ownership battle". mysanantonio.com. San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved June 17, 2016. Earlier, court documents indicated that Benson said in a deposition that he removed his heirs because they tried to kill him. In the documents from the deposition, Benson said about his heirs: "You know, by picking on my wife and when I wasn't feeling very good, they were very hostile." *** The heirs' trust funds hold 95 percent of the Pelicans and 60 percent of the Saints.
    • Sayre, Katherine (June 17, 2016). "Tom Benson settles Saints, Pelicans ownership dispute". nola.com. The Times-Picayune. Retrieved June 17, 2016. The litigation involves only non-controlling stock in the franchises, meaning the shares didn't give the heirs any authority over the teams, only a financial interest. Tom Benson has remained in charge of the teams by owning all of the controlling shares. The heirs' trust funds hold 95 percent of the Pelicans and 60 percent of the Saints.
  2. ^ Hiatt, Gabe (January 22, 2015). "Spurned daughter, grandchildren sue Saints owner for writing them out of will". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
    • "Report: TX judge freezes large chunk of Benson assets". FOX WVUE. New Orleans. January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2015. The suit attempts to paint Gayle Benson as a gold digger who is trying to take advantage of the Saints owner's health.
    • Duncan, Jeff (January 23, 2015). "Lawsuit Claims Tom Is Confused, Gayle Is In Over Her Head". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. p. A1. The suit portrays Gayle Benson, 67, as a gold-digging opportunist who has taken advantage of her husband's unfit state of health and ostracized family members in grasping for power and riches. *** Meanwhile, a Texas judge ordered a temporary freeze on the money and assets in a trust controlled by Tom Benson, an order requested by his daughter, Renee Benson. The temporary restraining order, signed by Judge Thomas Rickhoff of Bexar County on Wednesday, prevents Benson from withdrawing, transferring or otherwise diminishing the value of the Shirley L. Benson Testamentary Trust. Shirley L. Benson was Benson's first wife. Gayle, Benson's third wife, was preceded by Grace. The 27-page petition reveals a series of incidents Renee, Rita and Ryan claim illustrate Tom Benson's deteriorating mental and physical health. Among them: He has been heavily medicated in the past year and has 'acknowledged on occasions that he does not know his age, where he is, what day of the week it is, nor what the date is.' His mental acuity and memory have declined so much that 'on at least one occasion (he) failed to recognize his daughter, Renee,' and 'failed to remember or commemorate her birthday.' Further, it claims he recently was asked to name the current president of the United States and replied Ronald Reagan, then guessed Harry Truman on his second attempt. His diet has diminished to the point that he rarely consumes full meals and subsists mainly on 'candy, ice cream, sodas and red wine.'
    • "UPDATE: Judge Orders Tom Benson to Undergo Mental Evaluation". NBC KTVE. El Dorado, Arkansas. January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015. The suit attempts to paint Gayle Benson as a gold digger who is trying to take advantage of the Saints owner's health. It asks the court to appoint Renee Benson as executor of Tom Benson's sports and business empire with Rita Leblanc taking a secondary position.
    • "But we do we begin this half hour with a family inheritance battle now gone public". Today Show (Interview). New York City: NBC. January 24, 2015. But we do we begin this half hour with a family inheritance battle now gone public. At stake is the ownership of both an NFL and an NBA team. This, after the current owner announced his plans to pass the team down to his current wife rather than on to his family as he'd originally planned. NBC's Janet Shamlian has more. *** It's a family feud with ownership of the New Orleans Saints hanging in the balance. *** Family members of eighty-seven-year-old current owner Tom Benson say he is incompetent. The claim coming in a lawsuit filed one day after Benson unexpectedly announced a change in the Saints' future ownership. Now saying the team will go to his third wife, Gayle Benson instead of his family. They released this statement: 'Sadly, the Benson family was forced to take this action in the best interest of Tom Benson and his legacy...and the multitude of Pelicans and Saints fans.' Benson also owns the NBA Pelicans team. The suit portrays sixty-seven-year-old Gayle Benson as a manipulative gold digger, capitalizing on her husband's failing health, claiming she keeps him heavily medicated, away from his family and has been feeding him a bizarre diet of candy, ice cream, sodas and red wine.
    • "Tom Benson deserves better than this squabble". The Daily Advertiser. Lafayette, Louisiana. January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015. Gayle Benson, as wife No. 3, is cast in the stereotypical role of gold digger out to alienate the aging father from his children and seize the riches for herself.
    • Grimm, Andy (January 30, 2015). "Prenuptial agreement wouldn't keep Gayle Benson from taking over Saints, Pelicans, expert says". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved January 30, 2015. Renee Benson and her children filed a lawsuit seeking to declare Tom Benson incompetent to make his own decisions, and to put Renee Benson in charge of the family's fortune. Among their arguments painting Gayle Benson as a gold digger who is manipulating the family patriarch, the lawsuit notes, briefly, that when Tom Benson married the former Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird in 2004, the couple signed the prenuptial agreement.
    • Belson, Ken (March 6, 2015). "Saints' Owner Marches Out of Step With His Heirs' Expectations". The New York Times. New York. Retrieved March 6, 2015. Is Mr. Benson feeble or frail? Is Gayle Benson a gold digger or his protector? Are his daughter and grandchildren spoiled or spurned?
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