Impact of Benson’s death on the Saints (4 Viewers)

[WhoDat!5]

Tom Benson Dead?? No offense, but we already knew that...

Please tell me you are joking? And if so, it’s in poor taste. I would find it hard to believe that you do not know that TBD stands for To Be Determined.

 

[primadox]

What is line of succession after Gayle? Does it pass to her kids, if she has any?

I think this is the biggest question that will be asked as we go along. We always had a "safety net" in place as Tom grew older, and he made sure that safety net was in place according to his wishes, as indicated by his wishes that Gayle take over instead of his children/grandchildren. We knew that Tom would have his affairs in place to keep the Saints in New Orleans. But now, what is the safety net beyond Gayle that will keep the Saints in New Orleans? It may not be the time to ask this question yet, but it certainly is a valid one. Who is in line after Gayle? I'm positive that Tom had some opinion on this matter as well, and I'm sure he made his opinion known to Gayle and others he trusted, but whether there's anything official in place is pure speculation.

 

[Jeff Miller]

I think we are in a world of trouble.


No matter how honorable a woman Mrs. Gayle might be (i’ve never met her)— the going rate for an NFL franchise is $1.5- 2 billion and i dont know many ppl who would turn that down if someone in another city offered it to move the team.

At the team owner her net worth is already in the Billions (3 Billion per Fox8). The only reason she would sell the team is if she doesn't want to be an NFL owner.

As for the impact, it all depends on Gayle's relationship with the Saints staff. This has been in the planning for years, so its not a surprise or unprepared for. We have not heard of any bad blood between Gayle or the Staff, as we did hear there was some between the staff and Rita.

As a functioning NFL franchise, I don't expect much to change for the foreseeable future other then they will probably honor Mr. Benson at every chance they get.

 

[WhoDat!5]

I think this is the biggest question that will be asked as we go along. We always had a "safety net" in place as Tom grew older, and he made sure that safety net was in place according to his wishes, as indicated by his wishes that Gayle take over instead of his children/grandchildren. We knew that Tom would have his affairs in place to keep the Saints in New Orleans. But now, what is the safety net beyond Gayle that will keep the Saints in New Orleans? It may not be the time to ask this question yet, but it certainly is a valid one. Who is in line after Gayle? I'm positive that Tom had some opinion on this matter as well, and I'm sure he made his opinion known to Gayle and others he trusted, but whether there's anything official in place is pure speculation.

Pretty sure the NFL has to approve of all succession of ownership plans, so if something is already in place, she would have to get approval from the NFL to change it. I think that creates some stability.

 

[Alaina]

At the risk of tearing up some pretty gnarly wounds, I would think it'd be very difficult to move the Saints out of New Orleans considering the leagues stance on the issue after Katrina.

 

[Craig Walker]

I missed the knee-slap, yuk yuk yuk post

 

[DCTransplant]

Last I saw, Saints lease with the Superdome lasts till 2025, and I remember seeing that the Saints were negotiating on some upgrades that would allow them to extend the lease much further. Dennis Lauscha, for one, seems to be intent on keeping the team in New Orleans for the foreseeable future.

 

[BoNcHiE]

I don't think the NFL would let the team move anyway. The Saints eat up a very large market covering the gulf south. Without them the NFL has a big market hole on its hands.

The Saints represent a bigger market than the Rams and San Diego did. And even if someone wanted to move them, move them where? Every other major market is now covered and Jones isn't letting another team in Texas.

 

[NOLAJM504]

I think we are in a world of trouble.


No matter how honorable a woman Mrs. Gayle might be (i’ve never met her)— the going rate for an NFL franchise is $1.5- 2 billion and i dont know many ppl who would turn that down if someone in another city offered it to move the team.

This is crazy talk. You honestly think she’s not currently liquid enough to buy whatever she wants or needs? She couldn’t spend all that money, even if she tried. Selling the team won’t put her in any better position than she’s currently in.

 

[Goatman Saint]

Gayle probably made Tom get more involved in New Orleans since they have been together. She is a believer in New Orleans and doubt very seriously if she would even entertain thoughts of moving the team.

As far as being involved in the team you have owners like Jones who meddle greatly all the way to Dennis Allen who is hardly involved at all. So Gayle can take her own path.

Now where the team goes depends on what Tom has set up, the parameters of the trust, and such. That can be written however he wanted and could put those questions of where the team goes even after Gayle into a situation where his thoughts and actions are carried out long after his death. Tom knew the end was coming and obviously planned well.


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[Cajun Chat]

My thoughts.

I have no doubt that the gold digging, power-hungry Rita Benson-Leblanc will come looking for both money and control. I think she will contest the living trust. This will take years to settle. They will hope to wear Gayle down in an all-out assault to regain control of both franchises.

 

[Cajun Chat]

Futher, a best case scenario would be if Mr. Benson had the foresight to install Laushca, Loomis, Payton and Brees in some sort of ownership role. They would keep that winning formula in place for years to come.

 

[Goatman Saint]

My thoughts.



I have no doubt that the gold digging, power-hungry Rita Benson-Leblanc will come looking for both money and control. I think she will contest the living trust. This will take years to settle. They will hope to wear Gayle down in an all-out assault to regain control of both franchises.

Here again after that all Benson has to do was put into place a rider that says anyone who challenges the trust will be removed from it. Worked for the Hearst family for many years.


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[BoNcHiE]

My thoughts.

I have no doubt that the gold digging, power-hungry Rita Benson-Leblanc will come looking for both money and control. I think she will contest the living trust. This will take years to settle. They will hope to wear Gayle down in an all-out assault to regain control of both franchises.

It's already been settled.

Rita has about as much ability to take over the franchise as you or I do.

 

[WhoDat!5]

My thoughts.



I have no doubt that the gold digging, power-hungry Rita Benson-Leblanc will come looking for both money and control. I think she will contest the living trust. This will take years to settle. They will hope to wear Gayle down in an all-out assault to regain control of both franchises.

Good luck trying to wear someone down with legal action when they are more wealthy than you!