New Orleans Saints and Pelicans Owner, Tom Benson’s Battle With His Daughter and Grandchildren Over His Competency to Alter His Estate Plans

Regina M. Matozzo, Esq.
Ferry Joseph, P.A.

New Orleans is often referred to as “The Big Easy”, but it has been anything but that as of late for the Benson family, arguably the most recognized name in New Orleans.  The drama centers around Tom Benson, the family patriarch and owner of both of NOLA’s marquee professional sports teams.

In January 2015, Mr. Benson announced that following his death, he intends to leave ownership of his fortune, including his sport franchises – the NBA’s Pelicans and the NFL’s Saints – to his wife, Gayle Benson.  This was contrary to what many assumed would happen – that the heirs would be his daughter, Renee Benson, and his grandchildren, Rita and Ryan LeBlanc.  Shortly after the announcement, his daughter and grandchildren filed a civil lawsuit alleging that Tom Benson is incompetent.  They argued that Mr. Benson was suffering from a mental decline and was being unduly influenced by Gayle Benson, and an inner circle of team executives, to exclude his daughter and granddaughter from inheriting his estate.

The heart of the legal matter centers upon Mr. Benson’s ability to care for himself and his property.  In June 2015, a New Orleans court held a competency hearing that included 8 days of testimony from witnesses, including multiple psychiatrists, as to the state of Mr. Benson’s overall mental capacity.  At the conclusion of the hearing, Orleans Parish Civil District Judge Kern Reese ruled that Mr. Benson was capable of managing his own affairs, a decision that was later appealed by his estranged family.

A hearing for the appeal is scheduled for June 20, 2016.  The outcome of this hearing will dictate whether Mr. Benson may successfully remove his daughter and grandchildren from future ownership of his sports franchises, or if he is deemed incapable of managing his affairs.