Tom Benson

Background

Benson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Thomas Milton Benson Sr. and Carmen Pintado. After graduating from St. Aloysius (now Brother Martin) in 1944, he enlisted in the US Navy at the end of World War II in 1945. After the war, he studied accounting at Loyola University New Orleans before dropping out in 1948. He then worked as a car salesman at Cathey Chevrolet in New Orleans.

In 1956, he moved to San Antonio to revive a poorly performing dealership, gaining a 25 percent interest. In 1962, he became full owner of Tom Benson Chevrolet. He owned several automobile dealerships in the Greater New Orleans and San Antonio areas. He became wealthy by investing profits from his dealerships in local banks, eventually purchasing several small Southern banks and forming Benson Financial, which he sold to Norwest Corporation in 1996.

Benson purchased the Saints from John Mecom in 1985 after learning from Governor Edwin W. Edwards that the team was on the verge of being sold to parties interested in moving the team to Jacksonville, Florida. Ownership transferred on May 31, 1985, with his intent that the team would stay in New Orleans. He gained a reputation as a popular and colorful owner, hiring general manager Jim Finks and head coach Jim Mora, who led the Saints to their first winning season and playoff appearance.

His popularity later declined after attempts to persuade Louisiana to construct a new stadium, and hit an all-time low in late 2005 after it appeared he was trying to move the team to San Antonio after Hurricane Katrina. He later stated the Saints would return for the 2006 season, which they did. The team's fortunes improved, including a 31–17 defeat of the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, 2010, to win Super Bowl XLIV, and Benson recovered much of his popularity.

On July 18, 2008, the Benson-led Louisiana Media Company purchased WVUE-DT, the Fox affiliate for New Orleans. Benson was known for doing the 'Benson Boogie' after Saints home victories, second line dancing down the field of the Superdome while carrying a black and gold umbrella. During the Saints' 2001 negotiations with the state, rumors circulated that Benson would seek relocation if his requests were not met. The team relocated to San Antonio in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina made the Superdome unavailable, and Benson agreed to schedule negotiations to make the relocation permanent.

Did You Know?

• Benson donated $11 million to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, leading to the renaming of Fawcett Stadium to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in 2014.
• He and his wife Gayle were awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in January 2012, the highest papal honor for Catholic laypeople.