SmashMouth

Dear Mr. Benson,

Here's wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

I know the past year has been a trying one for you and your kin. I can only imagine the emotional, spiritual and physical toll it has taken on you to ex-communicate your family and change your succession plan for the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. I sincerely hope 2016 is a better year for you than 2015.

With that in mind, may I be so bold as to suggest a New Year's resolution that would bring an end to the ugly legal fight between you and your estranged heirs: Sell the Saints and the Pelicans.

I realize it is presumptuous on my part, but I think everyone would agree it is the only way to resolve this unfortunate, untenable situation. Selling your beloved sports franchises is in the best interests of all involved: you, your estranged heirs, the City of New Orleans, the NFL and NBA.

I know you have said before that you have no interest in selling the teams, as you reiterated to me on Saturday.



"We are still building a legacy here not only with the Saints but with the Pelicans," Benson said in a statement to NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune. "Retiring, selling any part of these teams are not part of my thinking in anyway. ... I will leave discussing my legacy to everyone else after I am long gone!"

Your statement is understandable. You did not build your $2 billion empire by backing down from a fight, but the only ones who stand to come out ahead in this legal battle are the two sides' lawyers. Considering the circumstances, the timing and the stakes, selling the teams is the best thing you can do to ensure the long-term health and stability of the franchises.

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