Saints Owner TOM BENSON tops the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE's list of the "most powerful and influential people on the South Louisiana sports scene" for the third consecutive year. In recent years, Benson "has silenced critics by putting a winning product on the field and becoming one of the leading local philanthropists." SMG Senior VP DOUG THORNTON ranks No. 2 on the list, up five spots from last year. SMG "manages the Superdome -- which just had more than $336 million in renovations since Hurricane Katrina wrecked it in 2005 -- the adjacent New Orleans Arena and several other local sports properties." Since joining the company in '97, Thornton "has become a vital cog in the Louisiana sports landscape" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 7/17). Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District Chair RON FORMAN said Thornton is a "top asset for the state to have." Forman: "For Doug, this is not a job. It's just who Doug is. He lives sports. He goes 24 hours a day, full speed" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 7/17).
MOST INFLUENTIAL SOUTH LOUISIANA SPORTS FIGURES
|
RANK
|
INDIVIDUAL |
1
|
Saints Owner Tom Benson |
2
|
SMG Senior VP Doug Thornton |
3
|
Saints QB Drew Brees |
4
|
Hornets G Chris Paul |
5
|
Saints coach Sean Payton |
6
|
Saints Exec VP & GM Mickey Loomis |
7
|
LSU football coach Les Miles |
8
|
Hornets Chair Jac Sperling |
9
|
Cox Sports Television VP/Regional Sports Rod Mickler |
10
|
Allstate Sugar Bowl CEO Paul Hoolahan |
11
|
LSU AD Joe Alleva |
12
|
Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President & CEO Jay Cicero |
13
|
Saints co-Owner & Exec VP Rita Benson LeBlanc |
14
|
Saints Exec VP & CFO Dennis Lauscha |
15
|
Hornets President Hugh Weber |
16
|
Hornets GM Dell Demps |
17
|
Hornets coach Monty Williams |
18
|
LSED Chair Ron Forman |
19
|
Tulane Univ. AD Rick Dickson |
20
|
Tulane Dir of Sports Law Gabe Feldman |
21
|
Fitness trainer Mackie Shilstone |
22
|
Fitness trainer Duke Rousse |
23
|
LSU Board of Supervisors Athletic Committee Chair Stanley Jacobs |
24
|
LSU running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson |
25
|
Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Wright Waters |