Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

An emotional confrontation between Tom Benson's granddaughter, Rita Benson LeBlanc, and wife, Gayle Benson, that briefly turned physical during a New Orleans Saints home game last season happened days before the 87-year-old billionaire decided to sever ties with his family members and cut them out of his estate plans.

Two sources who witnessed the incident said Rita Benson LeBlanc confronted Gayle Benson in Tom Benson's suite on the 400 level of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome before the Saints' game against the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 21.

The two sources, who are employed by the Saints and Pelicans, asked not be named because of the sensitivity of the situation.

The pregame encounter occurred in front of dozens of friends and guests of the Bensons and quickly escalated after Rita Benson LeBlanc, whom sources described as the aggressor, approached Gayle Benson.

Tom Benson Family Tree graphic
http://media.nola.com/business_impac...0817-small.jpg
Benson Family Tree

At one point, the two sources who witnessed the incident said, Rita Benson LeBlanc, then 37, grabbed Gayle Benson by both shoulders and shook the then-67-year-old repeatedly during a confrontation that lasted several minutes.

"She (Rita) was shaking her (Gayle) to emphasize her point and to be heard," said one of the sources who was in the suite and witnessed the incident. "It was pretty ugly.

"I remember the pyrotechnics going off in the stadium (during pregame player introductions) and thinking fireworks were also going off in the suite."

Not every guest in the crowded suite was aware of the incident, one source said, because it occurred off to the side of Benson's luxury box, which is perched above the 50-yard line overlooking the Saints' sideline.

Eventually, Saints president Dennis Lauscha was summoned from his nearby suite to act as an intermediary and restored order to the situation, another source familiar with the situation said. Rita Benson LeBlanc returned to her suite next door, and the rest of the game proceeded without incident or engagement between the two parties.

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Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Rita and Gayle were more physical during that game than our entire team was.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Can Rita play LB?

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Too bad they didn't put that fight up on the video board. It could have been the Play Of The Game!

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

"Six days later, Tom Benson emailed a letter to Renee Benson, Rita Benson LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc telling them he never wanted to see them again and banning them from his business operations."

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

things are getting interesting. i want to know what was the issue and were the thumb screws put him :p

maybe the rumors are true?

I still find it odd that all three are out: daughter Renee Benson and the grand kids Rita Benson LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc. If Rita is the issue then why boot the other two? just smells fishy to me.

This would leaves one and only one person in control of everything. never under estimate greed and long term manipulation.

Will Shirley Landry branch of the family tree be axed out or not? eliminating the Benson blood line from the world sports ownership.

stay tune for the next show of "As the Benson Turn"

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

You could see tension for years between Rita and Gayle going as far back as the SB year, if you ever paid attention to when cameras would show them, it was as if Gayle was stuck up around Rita quite often when Rita would be having any contact with Tom. I at least noticed it but never saw this coming to the extent it did. Its all a question on who is greedy, Gayle or Rita? It dont make too much sense to have Gayle only as owner since she is not young either, maybe this is where the red flag is.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Not that we will ever have all the facts, but from the little that we do hear, it is probably a good thing for the long term success of the Saints that Rita got booted from the operation. I get that Gayle may not be much better, but I honestly believe if Rita is running the team that it would be a complete disaster within a few seasons.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

His other grandkid, Dawn Jones, seems to be the only really sane one. But grabbing and shaking an older woman? That's more than a little nuts if you ask me.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

I'm sure the squeeze play was in a long time before the owners box confrontation. Gayle set the trap for Rita's bad temper in front of Tom
and she bit right into it. Kinda of amazing to watch these rich peoples games and the amount of money at stake. I look out my window at my
2003 Impala with the old Saints stickers on the bumper far removed from their kind of life.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

The rich are odd folk.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

I'm not surprised this was the straw that broke the camel's back. From what I read, Rita is a b**** to deal with in the office and it looks like she brought that same great attitude to her family. You don't put your hands in an aggressive manner to one of your elders no matter if you like them or not.

This legal fight is far from over, the sooner the better so Mr Benson and the team can focus on football and winning games

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

see that is why i am so stumped here. i do not remember anything like this being said about her till all of this started.

If what Rita said is going on i can understand loosing it. and if the games are this complex i can see all of this as just a part of a well thought out plot.

the rich have nothing better to do than map this kinda of crap out.

either way you look at Gayle has in little over 10 years looks to make out like a fat rat and gain control of huge portion of Tom's business wealth

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

I'd just like to know if Gayle has ever paid any restitution to her creditors/contractors in her failed business attempts...

And unlike most Saints fans, I do not like Tom Benson and don't buy his I'm sacrificing to keep the team in New Orleans act...

It was Rita who stepped out with Tagliabue to calm the masses after Benson was trying to set the team up in his backyard in his adopted home of San Antonio...

Rita may/may not be batsh*t crazy, but Gayle's strikes me as a gold digger and easily manipulated Benson's ego...

Benson's only direct living heir is deceased son's daughter, give it to her and let her decide what to do...

But I get the feeling Rita got tired of being a female figure-head, puppet and decided she would step back in once Tom was out...

Read that TOTAL BS article where all these anonymous sources recalled tales of Rita - that BS shouldn't have been printed unless Vargas et al could state the names of the supposed sources...

Many of whom were 'former employees'; well let me just say that I've got former employees who tell anyone I'm a jerk even though I paid them top pay over my competitors, paid their health and 24 hr accident insurance, and I performed plumbing and painting services afterwork on his home for two weeks without any compensation...

Without telling anyone that information, he geauxs out of his way to disrupt my business aka "stick it to me" because I fired his girlfriend because she gave out my business banking information to a cold call credit card processing salesman...

So until we have all the information, I'll just pass on the what I've heard of Rita stories...

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

So Rita and Gayle's confrontation is why Tom decided to screw all 3 of his kids?

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

my thoughts on Rita isn't from some article, people have heard from people she has fired and they have that impression of her besides ....

I really can't stand all this legal back and forth blah blah blah just concentrate on business and football

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

hear·say ˈhirˌsā/
noun
noun: hearsay

information received from other people that one cannot adequately substantiate; rumor.

Not beating up on you Ragin, but...

Somehow in the last thirty-five years, British tabloid reporting has comprised the integrity of our journalism...

As Americans, we've forgotten this concept and really need to reign this in...

It's dangerous and it has lead us down a dangerous path...

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

I'd like to post this question for thought...

If Benson is so sound in mind, and he's still has the same business acumen he's always had...

Why would he turn over a billion dollar sports entertainment empire to a woman he's known far less than his own family, has failed in business, still owes money to creditors, and has no record, reputation of success of her own?!?

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

I know you aren't but it's hard to be called a rumor when it came from those people. I don't live in New Orleans so any info I get will be from someone else. I just want this to go away so Mr Benson can enjoy his last few years on Earth. Sure he made mistakes in 2005 but everyone directly effected by Katrina were under a huge amount of stress. IMO Gale has done a lot to fix those mistakes and help him change his ways. This battle is far from over, whatever happens happens

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Because he knows his "own family" well enough that he knows it would be disastrous.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Because she's his wife. It may seem like a simplistic answer, but when you consider the generation Tom Benson was born in/raised, that's the natural order of things. My Dad and his 2nd wife acted kinda' the same way when he was passing and it was all about taking care of his "wife" after he passed. Of course, we weren't talking about sports franchises & such, so my brothers/sisters & I just ignored the drama, :lol:. That woman was quite the biotch though, :neutral:.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

It sounds to me like they are all knuckleheads and they are all jockeying for power. I think Benson realized that while conniving, Gayle would be the better business person to run the operations.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

And then you have the question, who will inherit Gayle Benson once she passes. Being 67 that might happen quicker than one thinks.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Pretty sure I read somewhere that Dennis Lauscha is next in line after Gale

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Not sure if right thread but he's a little more fuel to the fire

Tom Benson-appointed lawyer again rejects proposed asset swap with relatives, says it's unfair | News | The New Orleans Advocate — New Orleans, Louisiana

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

All her ducks, I should say all her men or her team are in a row.
Her brother and his kids. The San Antonio lawyers, old time friends of TB.
All those siding with her and helping in her great feat are and will be rewarded.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Wrong thread.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Rita may feel entitled, but she's not entitled to our New Orleans Saints. I was sooooo wrong about her and gave her full credit for bringing in Sean Payton and opening her grand fathers pocket book. I was sooooo wrong!:nono:

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Thanks for coming clean. We still love you. Well, maybe not love, but your still okay.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

And Gayle is better how?

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

Possibly because she hasn't show the total lack of ability that Rita has demonstrated. Next man up. Er, woman.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

She hasn't shown any ability. None of us know anything.

If it was just Rita, why did he ban all of his kids and not just Rita?

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

From my understanding that was personal. Rita has always been a *****, but I gather her cohorts all treated Gayle like crap and little more concern for Tom. What would any of us do in that situation? Choosing between a wife of ten years that has shared your life intimately or the granddaughter through an adopted daughter from your first wife? When your present wife supports you and your adopted crew ridicule your wife and show no ability to handle what you have built?

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

How do you know they all ridiculed his wife?
There have been thousands of women who marry millionaires for the money and power. Perhaps she was one of them? It's no more far fetched than all the ignorant speculation about the rest of his family, who have been with him a lot longer than ten years.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

http://blackandgold.com/u/5271-albums105-picture651.jpg

Now this is where I'm questioning what's going on...

You've got an 87 year old man that has at times showed a history of impulsiveness...

Again it was Rita and not Tom that stepped up with Paul Tagliabue and allayed fears of the team relocating to San Antonio...

And if Rita is so incompetent, why was she named Arena Football's Executive of The Year?

Read this story...Rita's Hail Mary Pass

We're not getting the full picture and with much of the local media not willing to take on Tim Benson, I don't think Rita will get a fari shake...

Amazed the amount of heresay on this thread...

When I see posts like "people say" and "my understanding" without corroboration that's heresay - heresay is dangerous...

Tom Benson has a big ego and his family has been there to right his course; now comes along a woman with no history of success in business, she has, point of fact, experience in bankrupting business, and everyone wants to join Team Tom/Gayle?!?

Has everyone forgotten it was Tom Benson that wanted to move the team to San Antonio and wouldn't commit to New Orleans Post-Katrina until Paul Tagliabue with Rita out in front guaranteed Tom Benson NFL funds so he wouldn't lose a penny...

Tagliabue's hand in saving Saints aided New Orleans' Katrina rally - NFL - CBSSports.com

Some of you really need to do your history lessons...

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

You buy the cow, you bought the calf, and you bought the cow 20+ years ago.

I have some personal experience in a similar situation. Folks here want to believe the Saints would be safe in NO if Gayle gets them after Tom's passing, but really there are no guarantees. She could as well turn around and put For $ale signs on the Saints, Pelicans, and Voodoo... and they all can go bye bye.

I also think that people don't see Gayle as a gold digger because Tom Benson didn't go all-out Robert Kraft and got himself an anorexic model-like blonde bimbo accessory girlfriend 40 years younger than him; Benson went only 25 cradle-years back. But I know for a fact, they come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. There was an article posted in the NYT (I think) in which a snippet described Gayle's servant-like behavior at a business meeting... I can tell you, I've seen that before...

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

I don't know who is right or wrong in this situation.

I do know that I was involved in the Saints moving in 2005 and let me say this, people need to remember what happened at that time and not forget that we nearly lost the Saints to San Antonio because the team nearly moved. Don't forget the "SA Saints" shirts. Don't forget the negotiations with the Mayor of San Antonio to move the team.

It was VERY close. And if you think Tom Benson was your buddy during that time, - think again. He wasn't.

I can tell you that at that time I talked with Rita Benson about the Saints moving and while she asked me not to talk about what we discussed I can say that it was a positive conversation.

One thing that does bother me a bit is you set up irrevocable trusts for a few reasons. One is that later in life, a new wife or husband or someone else can't take your stuff. You can pass it on to kids and grandchildren. That's why it is called IRREVOCABLE. Heck, that's what I'm working for - my kids and I hope someday, grandkids. My wife and I had this discussion and we both agreed that a new spouse (if one of us dies) will not get anything.

As to all these rumors that Rita is rude. Give me a break. Try running a business with the HORRIBLE work ethic that people have today. Showing up for work late, missing work constantly, showing up drunk, showing up on drugs, wanting to play on facebook all day and angry because you won't let them, etc.

You need to actually read about Tom Benson's assistants who have worked for him - who are actually on the record and HATED him.

Re: Confrontation between Rita Benson LeBlanc, Gayle Benson at Saints game preceded change in succession plan
 

I went to the Falcons game there and it was the worst experience I've ever had at a Saints game and it was closer to my house in Houston. If they would of moved there I was done with them and if they move in the future, I'm done with them too