Tom

Benson

Two years ago, Benson cut his daughter and two grandchildren out of the line of succession for the Saints, ceding the team solely to his wife upon his death. A wave of lawsuits and depositions have followed since, culminating in next week’s trial. The trial, of course, could still be avoided if the sides reach a settlement in the next week. It seems unlikely.

This is big news because estranged members of Benson’s family were trying to sue the soon-to-be 79-year-old due to him wanting to leave the Saints and NBA’s Pelicans to his wife of 10 years instead of daughter and grandchildren. Benson can do whatever he chooses with his $2 billion-plus stake.

Also the owner of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, Benson had been in the hospital with the flu since Feb. 16. The Saints’ owner since 1985, Benson oversaw a perennial loser his first two decades on the job. He threatened to move the team to San Antonio following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Drew Brees and Sean Payton arrived in 2006, however, forever changing the franchise and Benson’s reputation in New Orleans. Benson had been embroiled in a legal battle with his family over the succession of the team’s ownership but it was settled in Feb. 2017. Benson’s wife, Gayle, now owns both the Saints and Pelicans.

The Saints have long been slated to be left to Benson’s daughter and grandchildren, but that abruptly changed Thursday when Benson announced he intended to leave the team to his wife of 10 years. The daughter and grandchildren’s lawsuit alleges that Benson — who is 87 — is no longer mentally competent, and being manipulated by his wife. At stake is a fortune of more than $2 billion, which includes the NBA’s Pelicans as well as the Saints. The drama has reportedly been brewing behind the scenes for some time.

Benson’s decision prompted an immediate lawsuit, with his daughter and grandchildren alleging that he is no longer mentally competent, and under the spell of his wife, whom he married 10 years ago. Benson insists he made every effort to groom his daughter and grandchildren to take control of the team upon his death, but that they “never rose to the task.” A protracted legal battle appears likely.

Benson’s mental competency has been challenged after he attempted to change his will to leave the Saints — amongst other assets — to his wife instead of his daughter and grandchildren. A judge apparently believes there’s enough merit to Benson’s (former?) heirs’ claims to at least force an evaluation. Benson has steadfastly insisted he remains capable of overseeing his affairs.

Benson is being sued by his daughter and grandchildren after changing his will to leave the Saints to his wife. His former heirs claim Benson is no longer mentally competent, and being manipulated by his wife. This saga will likely get uglier before it’s resolved.