Dennis Lauscha takes over Hornets

[nosaints213]

He's replacing Hugh Weber. A lot on his plate now, but I'm cool with it. Benson knows what he is doing.

The New Orleans Hornets, who formally came under the domain of owner Tom Benson on Friday, will not retain president Hugh Weber, the man who helped guide the team through 17 months of league ownership and helped steer the franchise toward Benson's purchase and its stability through 2024 with a renegotiated lease agreement.

Taking over for Weber will be Dennis Lauscha, who is also president of the New Orleans Saints. He will be now be president of both organizations and oversee the Saints and Hornets operations.

Benson outlined the team's management structure on Monday in a meeting with Hornets' staff members at the Saints Airline Drive headquarters, though he met with Weber prior to meeting with the rest of Hornets' staff.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis was placed in charge of oversight of the Hornets' basketball operation in addition to the Saints football operations.

"Today, we did make a change with Hugh," Benson said, "And it is important to note that if it were not for his leadership in running the Hornets during a very difficult time, this sale would have not happened. He made the transition very smooth and he should be commended.

"In most ownership changes like this, there is normally a change at the top and although Hugh provided great leadership, we have decided it best to transfer our top management in Dennis to that role."

Weber, who joined the Hornets nearly seven years ago, said Monday he understood the need for the change.

New Orleans Hornets moving forward without former president Hugh Weber; Dennis Lauscha to head team operations | NOLA.com

[zorro37]

Running operations at an NBA and an NFL team simultaneously, wow. Can't say I'm envious of him, that's not your average 9-5. He only got the Saints job about 2 months ago so to say he's a busy man is to say Roger Goodell is a bit unfair.

[Broadmoor74]

I hear Hugh Weber's a cool guy. And he did an admirable job holding down the fort while the NBA owned the team.

But he also oversaw things when the organization was being run during the 2008-2010 years when the Hornets started gnawing their own limbs off.