Saints, Pelicans owner Tom Benson dies at age 90
NEW ORLEANS — Tom Benson, a successful auto dealer and longtime owner of the New Orleans Saints who brought the franchise its only winning seasons and the “Benson Boogie,” has died.
Benson also owned the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans since 2012, but the 90-year-old made his mark in pro sports with the Saints.
The teams announced Benson’s death on Thursday. He had been hospitalized since Feb. 16 with flu symptoms.
Benson bought the Saints in 1985 when it appeared the club would be sold to out-of-state interests and perhaps moved out of Louisiana. He paid $70 million for the team, which is now worth close to $2 billion.