Tom Benson, one of only three people who own both an NBA team and an NFL team, passed away on Thursday. He was 90 years old. Benson purchased the Saints in 1985, and the Pelicans (who were called the Hornets at the time) in 2012. He is famous for fighting to keep both franchises in the city, despite outside intentions to move the franchises. He had been hospitalized since February 16 for flu-like symptoms. His wife Gayle was by his side when he passed on.
Gayle will take ownership of both teams. Benson dismissed his daughter and grandchildren as heirs to his empire after an ugly legal battle that ended last year. Gayle has already been approved by the NBA and NFL to own both teams.
In a statement, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, "Tom Benson's contributions to New Orleans and the National Football League were legendary." He continued on to state, "He purchased a team that had never had a winning season, by the third year of his ownership, the Saints were in the playoffs. Tom kept the Saints together through the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, and his decision to bring the team back to New Orleans gave the entire region hope and confidence that they would recover. The Saints rewarded their fans with tremendous football and a Super Bowl championship."
Source: espn.com
