Tom Benson, the owner of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans, died Thursday afternoon at the age of 90 after being hospitalized at the Ochsner Medical Center with the flu since Feb. 16, the Saints announced.
Benson bought the Saints in 1985 and took over the New Orleans Hornets in 2012, renaming the team as the Pelicans. He remained the controlling owner of both clubs until his death.
He was born and raised in New Orleans and spent time in the U.S. Navy during the Second World War before working his way up the chain at Chevrolet, eventually establishing a multi-dealership organization throughout Louisiana and South Texas. On the back of his success with Chevrolet, Benson joined the banking business in 1972 and built the Benson Financial World, which allowed him to buy the Saints and, later on, the Pelicans.
Benson enjoyed 11 playoff berths and a Super Bowl championship with the Saints as well as helping to host five Super Bowls in the Big Easy. In his short time as owner of the Pelicans, the team made the playoffs once.
The New Orleans native has been credited by some for saving professional sports in his hometown as the Saints were on the verge of being sold to parties hoping to move the club to Jacksonville. The then-Hornets had also been rumored for relocation prior to Benson stepping up in 2012. Benson also played a strong role in the recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Benson's wife, Gayle, was at her husband's side at the time of his death and is the sole heir to both the Saints and Pelicans.
