Saints' Benson Ranks As Most Influential In New Orleans Sports
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Benson Has Been Leader In
Revitalizing New Orleans |
Saints Owner TOM BENSON, "once perceived as cheap and greedy," has "gradually shaken those monikers and stepped to the civic forefront in recent years, bringing his checkbook along with him," according to Nakia Hogan of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, which named Benson the "most powerful/influential person on the south Louisiana sports scene." Benson has become "one of the leaders in helping revitalize" the New Orleans area since Hurricane Katrina. It "wasn't even a decade ago that Benson was considered one of the most hated men in New Orleans," being called "greedy and selfish and cheap in many circles." But now it is "hard to find many with a harsh word to say about Benson," as it "appears almost as if the multi-millionaire owner has softened in his later years." Benson and the Saints' brand "appear to be as strong as ever," and team sources said that the organization is "being run as smoothly as ever ... after years of front-office dysfunction." Benson downplayed his status in New Orleans, saying, "We don't have any power. We don't look at it that way. I just love what we are doing." Meanwhile, the TIMES-PICAYUNE ranked Hornets Owner GEORGE SHINN No. 2 on the list, as the "self-made millionaire" and his team have "exceeded expectations." SMG Regional VP DOUG THORNTON ranks No. 3, having become a "vital cog in the Louisiana sports landscape." Cox Sports Television VP/Regional Sports ROD MICKLER ranks No. 4 and Hornets G CHRIS PAUL ranks No. 5 (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 7/19).
BAYOU BUZZ: Democratic strategist JAMES CARVILLE on his Sirius XM Radio show said that he is "going to be named chairman of the New Orleans host committee" for Super Bowl XLVII in '13 (USA TODAY, 7/20).
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