ChrisXVI

She would've been like that female owner of the Indians in the movie Major League lol.

xan

It was (and still is) utterly delusional to think that a sheltered, uneducated, inexperienced, and intellectually deficient person could ever be considered for the role of CEO/owner.

QBREES9

Soooooo, what happens if Gayle goes first. Tom could just out live us all.

Beastmode

That's the million dollar question. Who gets the team. Loomis would likely take over until a suitable buyer to keep the teams in NO could be established is my best guess. The profits would go to foundations and charities in the meantime. They also took Rita's free Mercedes so I think it's safe to assume she's dead to him.

Rugby Saint II

I really thought Rita was responsible for talking Benson into keeping the Saints here(not Tagliabue) and changing the way they spent money. My bad.

ChrisXVI

Apparently that "poison pill" clause Sean Payton tried to have in his new contract where he could leave if Mickey Loomis left was in part due to Loomis being an intermediary between Payton and Rita. I don't remember where I read that, but she was not well liked.

NonieT

Jason La Canfora @JasonLaCanfora · 1h 1 hour ago
Big winners in Saints power struggle are Loomis and Payton. Had Rita Benson taken over their days were numbered. Bad blood there...

44Champs

She was a b*tch - plain and simple. Didnt know how to get along w other people. Apparently she sifted through more than 30 assistants in 6 years. Im glad she's gone.

Beastmode

From their official site:

Finally, when family members are involved, decision are always tougher. My family, as they have been their whole lives, will be very well taken care of, however, this is about making the correct decision as it pertains specifically to the future of the Saints and Pelicans and their long-term success in the city of New Orleans, where they belong.”

Beastmode

The Saints and Pelicans will remain under the same management structure, with Gayle Benson serving as owner; that has seen both teams prosper and grow. The management structure of having a small team of senior managers oversee both the Saints and Pelicans will remain in place. The executive level management will continue to be led by Dennis Lauscha (President) and Mickey Loomis (Executive Vice President/General Manager). The senior level management team will remain in place with Greg Bensel (Senior Vice President of Communications/Broadcasting), Jean-Paul Dardenne (Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships), Ben Hales (Senior Vice President of Marketing & Business Development), Ed Lang (Senior Vice President/CFO), Vicky Neumeyer (Senior Vice President/General Counsel) and Mike Stanfield (Senior Vice President of Sales).

“Continuity is very important and this plan ensures that,” Benson said. “We have had the same management team in place that oversees both teams for a number of years. It has proven to be successful and it works. Dennis and Mickey will continue to run the operations as they have done day-to-day for the last 10 years or so. They consult with me daily, but they will continue to have the same authority they have always had with making decisions, large and small and this will continue even when Gayle becomes owner. This is a good structure…the only difference is that my wife Gayle, will be in control of the Saints and Pelicans when I die, which I can assure you will not be anytime soon.”