NFL Rumors: New Orleans Saints Owner Tom Benson Claims Family Tried To Kill Him

NFL rumors have been swirling around Tom Benson. NBC Sports is reporting that the New Orleans Saints owner is claiming in court that members of his family have tried to kill him.

Tom Benson and his family have grown quite disenchanted with one another over the past couple years. He’s getting up there in age, and his family would much rather that he leave the New Orleans Saints to them instead of his new wife. Things have gotten so bad that they’re now requesting that the legal system decide what is right.

Back in December 2014, Tom Benson’s wife, Gayle, was physically assaulted by his family. The incident involved his daughter, Renee, and granddaughter, Rita. Benson said that the incident, which happened at a New Orleans Saints game, is the biggest reason why he refuses to leave all the teams that he owns to his offspring.

Back in January, Tom Benson fired his daughter and two granddaughters from their executive positions with the New Orleans Saints. The move was done because his family was upset with the fact that he was going to be leaving ownership of his NFL and NBA team to his wife. The relationship had deteriorated to a point of no return.

Tom Benson’s family is telling the courts that their father is suffering from mental issues. They’re also telling the judge that his wife is allegedly manipulating him into turning over ownership of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans to her instead of his own family.

The teams owned by Tom Benson are worth a good amount of money. He purchased the New Orleans Saints for $70 million, and they are now worth $1.5 billion. Benson purchased the New Orleans Pelicans for $340 million, and they’re now worth $650 million. Both teams are expected to see their values rise in the coming years.

Tom Benson is also involved in other legal issues. Rodney Henry was his personal assistant for 25 years. He’s suing Benson for racial discrimination, harassment, and being underpaid for all of the long hours that he worked. Henry is also claiming that the New Orleans Saints are liable as well.

All of the family drama comes at a really bad time because the New Orleans Saints are in a reloading phase. Their defense was historically awful. The Saints are trying to get the most out of a 37-year-old Drew Brees before he retires from the NFL. The team isn’t expected to be able to compete once he’s gone.

A source of stability for the New Orleans Saints was needed since the franchise was under so much turmoil. Tom Benson decided to give Sean Payton a 5-year contract extension. That gives his head coach some power over the players because they know that he’s going to be around for a while. There were rumors that Payton was going to be leaving for another NFL team.

It’s a pretty dark period for the New Orleans Saints right now. A lot of analysts have given them failing grades for the haul that they pulled in from the NFL Draft. The Saints are also having trouble luring in big time free agents and are settling for older guys. New Orleans is also overpaying for players such as Coby Fleener.

For the longest time, Tom Benson was considered one of the best owners in the NFL. Someone else will be taking over ownership of the New Orleans Saints soon. When that day comes, it will be the end of an era. There’s going to be quite a bit of uncertainty when the new era begins.

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