Tom Benson
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See also Tom Benson (football player) and Tom Benson (politician) for the Northern Ireland Unionist.
Tom Benson (born 1927 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is the owner of the New Orleans Saints NFL team. He is also the owner of several automobile dealerships in the Greater New Orleans and San Antonio areas. Benson became wealthy by investing profits from his automobile dealerships in local banks. He eventually purchased several small Southern banks and formed Benson Financial, which he sold to Wells Fargo in 1996.
Benson purchased the Saints from John Mecom in 1985 after he learned from Louisiana Governor Edwin W. Edwards that the team was on the verge of being sold to parties interested in moving the team from New Orleans, Louisiana to Jacksonville, Florida. As a successful businessman, he recognized the economic implications of such a move not only for the city of New Orleans, but for the state of Louisiana as well, which was in the midst of a deep economic recession caused by plummeting crude oil prices. Ownership of the team was officially transferred to him on May 31, 1985.
Shortly after acquiring the Saints, he gained a reputation as one of the more popular and colorful owners in the league. He hired general manager Jim Finks and head coach Jim Mora, who led the Saints to their first winning season and playoff appearance in the long-suffering franchise's history. He also became well-known for his "Benson Boogie," a celebration at the end of Saints home victories in which Benson, in true New Orleans fashion, would second line dance down the field of the Superdome in the closing minutes of the game while carrying an umbrella decorated in black and gold. His popularity later declined, however, after numerous attempts to persuade the state of Louisiana to construct a new stadium for the Saints to replace the aging and outdated Superdome, suggesting that he might move the team elsewhere if said stadium were not built. His popularity hit an all-time low in late 2005 after it appeared he was trying to move the team to San Antonio after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. (See Relocation controversy below for more details.) He later stated that the Saints would return to New Orleans for the 2006 season, which they did.
In 1998, he was granted a license for a team in the Arena Football League, which began play in 2004 as the New Orleans VooDoo.
Benson is a resident of San Antonio, Texas. His brother, Larry Benson, has also been in sports ownership and owned the San Antonio Riders of the World League.
During the Saints' 2001 negotiations with the state of Louisiana, rumors circulated that Benson wanted to relocate the team due to the State of Louisianna not willing to negotiate with Benson and the organization. He had repeatedly requested renovations to the Superdome, an improved practice facility in Metairie, Louisiana, and requested an increase in annual payments from the state to the team. Because of the personal and business ties to San Antonio and the availability of San Antonio's various living quarters, practice locations and the Alamodome as a playing facility made San Antonio the most common subject of speculation by the media.
When it became apparent that Hurricane Katrina's extensive damage to the entire city of New Orleans and the Superdome would make it impossible for the Saints to play there in 2005, the team temporarily relocated its operations to San Antonio, Texas and began negotiations to play the home games at the Alamodome. (The Saints, after discussions with the NFL and Louisiana State University, eventually agreed to play three games at the Alamodome and four games at LSU's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge).
Benson and the New Orleans Saints returned to their Metairie Training facility at the end of the 2005 season, and that the team would play as many of their home games as possible during the 2006 season in the Louisiana Superdome, which he said could be ready as early as mid-September, 2006. Benson and Tagliabue also announced plans to play all of their 2006 home games in the Superdome. Tagliabue stated that the NFL was committed to keeping the Saints in New Orleans beyond 2006, calling it a "multiyear effort" and not just a one-year deal. He also stated that the NFL was talking with city officials about possibly hosting another Super Bowl there in the near future, which would be the city's 10th. Benson stated that he has always been committed to New Orleans and will be "forever"
After the 2006 elections, the Louisianna Govenor and various State Representatives made it publically known that it is in the regions best interest, especially Louisianna, to ensure a future home to both the NFL New Orleans Saints and the NBA New Orleans Hornets. State Sen. Walter Boasso, D-Arabi, said he would make negotiations a priority "to ensure the Saints stay in Louisiana, because of the sales tax revenue and tourism dollars" generated for the city and state. He said he would consider granting the National Football League franchise an annual subsidy but would also look at other options "as long (as) it is fiscally responsible."
Tom Benson also owns the Arena Footbal League Team, The New Orleans VooDoo. Benson and the franchise negotiated with the New Orleans Arena regarding a new lease. The speculation that once a new lease is secured with the facility the Arena Football League will more than likely award New Orleans an Arena Bowl. The Arena Bowl is the AFL version of the NFL Super Bowl. Due to the commitment the AFL has made to New Orleans it awarded the ArenaBowl XXII to New Orleans to be held at the New Orleans Arena on July 27, 2008.
2006/2007, the Saints franchise had one of the most exciting years in its history. The Saints did the unthinkable they made it to the playoffs. Jan. 13 - The Saints defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-24 in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at the Louisiana Superdome. RB Deuce McAllister rushed for 143 yards and a TD and added a touchdown reception in the victory, the second postseason win in club history. Jan. 21 - In the team’s first appearance in the NFC Championship Game, the Saints were defeated by the Chicago Bears, 39-14.Feelings of hope, joy and pride overshadowed any possible feelings of disappointment. Today is not a day to get depressed about a loss but the celebration of what the Saints have accomplished this year. Drew Brees voted co-recipient of the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. It is one of a number of awards won by Saints personnel following the 2006 season, including Sean Payton as a unanimous choice as NFL Coach of the Year and Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis as NFL Executive of the Year by The Sporting News and Pro Football Weekly.
Benson has been a huge leader in the Catholic Communities in his home cities New Orleans, Louisianna and San Antonio, Texas as well as throughout the United States.
May of 2008 markes the beginning of things to come in the Media industry throughout the Gulf area. [[The Louisiana Media Company, headed by Saints owner Tom Benson, purchased FOX WVUE for $41 million.]] "While many are hesitant to invest in this city and state, I am not. This is a very good business decision for us and creating the Louisiana Media Company is another vital piece that will benefit the continued economic development of our region and further support our local and state communities" said Benson in regards to the purchase of the FOX affiliate. "We need to get involved in this, because people just aren't coming and investing a lot of money in the New Orleans area," he said. "This community is going to get something from us having ownership of this station. I think it's going to show outsiders, 'Hey, this is a good place to invest.' "
