Benson said that she is in the process of completing a succession plan for both the Saints and PelicansGETTY IMAGES
Saints and Pelicans Owner Gayle Benson is "adamant that neither of the clubs are for sale and won’t be as long as she is owner," according to Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. Benson said that Saints and Pelicans President Dennis Lauscha regularly "delivers the same message to interested buyers, who call the club to gauge the club’s availability." When it comes to speculation about selling the Pelicans, Benson said, "There is no way that I am going to sell that team -- ever." She added, "I value the Pelicans as much as I do the Saints, and I don’t look at myself as an owner of the teams. I feel like it is an asset that I am protecting for the city." Benson said that she is in the process of "completing a succession plan for both teams" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 3/26).
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: In New Orleans, Rod Walker notes Benson "reiterated the plan to restructure the organizational chart" for both franchises. Saints Exec VP & GM and Pelicans President of Basketball Operations Mickey Loomis will "strictly be working with football" once Benson hires a GM for the Pelicans. The new hire will be the "first major hire" for Benson (New Orleans ADVOCATE, 3/26). Benson said that an "unidentified outside consultant commissioned by the Pelicans" has produced a list of GM candidates for "potential interviews." Benson did not identify any of the GM prospects but said that the club was "impressed by the league-wide interest in the position and the overall quality of the finalists." Benson: "We have five or six candidates that we are going to look at, screen them and decide which one we’re going to choose" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 3/26).
