Latest news with #GayleBenson
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pelicans owner Gayle Benson breaks silence on Zion Williamson rape lawsuit
The post Pelicans owner Gayle Benson breaks silence on Zion Williamson rape lawsuit appeared first on ClutchPoints. New Orleans Pelicans' star forward Zion Williamson is facing legal trouble, as he's in a lawsuit facing rape allegations. The organization has been quiet about the allegations so far; however, on Tuesday, team owner Gayle Benson broke her silence and addressed the situation. Advertisement While talking with reporters of WWL-TV, an affiliate of CBS News based in New Orleans, Benson sort of brushed Williamson's lawsuit off her shoulders, claiming that people sue others for all sorts of reasons. Zion Williamson is innocent until proven guilty, and that's the exact approach the Pelicans' owner is taking on this matter. Benson is seemingly supporting Williamson with the lawsuit ongoing. 'You know, lawsuits are lawsuits… People can sue for anything. There's no reason. You can be innocent or not. So, it's just something that people do. Unfortunately.' Zion Williamson faces serous allegations that involve rape, physical assault, and death threats. Shortly after the lawsuit was made public, Williamson's legal team issued a statement, acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations while also denying them, according to Will Guillory of The Athletic. Advertisement 'We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them,' Williamson's legal team said in a statement. 'The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and reckless. This is the plaintiff's third set of attorneys. This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance.' The 24-year-old forward has not made any public statements regarding the allegations. Instead, Zion Williamson is letting his legal team take charge of the lawsuit. In the meantime, the Pelicans star is involved in trade rumors with the offseason quickly approaching. Williamson played just 30 games for New Orleans this season as he's been dealing with a bone bruise in his lower back. However, when healthy, he is undeniably one of the best players on the court. Zion Williamson ended the 2024-25 campaign averaging 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 56.7% from the floor and 23.1% from the three-point line.
Fox News
21-06-2025
- Fox News
Granddaughter of late Saints owner Tom Benson arrested after alleged altercation with parking enforcement
Rita Benson LeBlanc, the granddaughter of late New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, was arrested in South Carolina this week following an alleged dispute with a parking enforcement officer. LeBlanc, 48, was arrested by the Charleston Police Department on Monday evening at around 6:30 p.m. and charged with interference or hindering an officer, according to online jail records. She was released early Tuesday morning on a personal recognizance bond. LeBlanc's arrest reportedly stemmed from an incident involving a parking enforcement officer. WCSC reported that the former heiress was accused of shoving the officer in downtown Charleston. Sgt. Chris Stinson told the outlet that LeBlanc had, at one point during the interaction, taken the officer's parking boot locking tool while the officer was applying a boot to a vehicle. It was not clear whether the officer was attempting to place a boot on LeBlanc's car. Despite the accusation that she pushed the officer, LeBlanc was not charged with assault, according to online records. Fox News Digital contacted Charleston Police Department for clarification. LeBlanc was in line to take over the Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans, but following her firing by her grandfather and the subsequent public falling out, Benson's wife, Gayle Benson, became the team's principal owner following his death in 2018. LeBlanc was an executive and co-owner of the two organizations for just two years before she was fired in 2014, The New Orleans Advocate reported. She is due back in court next month. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Disgraced granddaughter of late Saints owner arrested for altercation with South Carolina cop
The granddaughter of late New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson was arrested Monday and accused of interfering with a Charleston, South Carolina police officer as he attempted to put a parking boot on her vehicle. Rita LeBlanc, 48, was released on a personal recognizance bond the following day after being charged with hindering an officer/city employee, according to online jail records. reported that Sargent Christ Stinson accused LeBlanc of taking the locking tool from a parking boot as he attempted to fasten it to one of the wheels of her car. LeBlanc, a former vice chairperson for the Saints, is due back in court on July 24. A child of Benson's adopted daughter, Renee, Rita was fired by her grandfather from the team in 2015 before being disinherited altogether along with her mother and brother, Ryan. She would respond with a lawsuit, challenging Benson's mental competency at the time of his decision. The two sides settled in 2016. Previously, in 2012, Jeff Duncan reported she was suspended from the team because of 'lack of focus and abrasive management style.' Sources told Duncan that LeBlanc's sense of entitlement became an issue with her grandfather, who'd frequently worked six-day weeks despite his immense wealth. Benson's third wife and LeBlanc's stepmother, Gayle, became the Saints' principal owner in 2018 following his death. The Saints have failed to reach the postseason since 2020, while Gayle has faced criticism over a Catholic Church sex scandal in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The Associated Press reported in January of 2020 that senior vice president of communications Greg Bensel provided PR advice to church officials as they navigated fallout from a child sex-abuse scandal. The scandal resurfaced before February's Super Bowl in New Orleans when the AP released emails showing the extent of the Saints communications team's involvement with the church. 'This is disgusting,' state Representative Mandie Landry (Democrat - New Orleans) said in February. 'As a New Orleans resident, taxpayer and Catholic, it doesn't make any sense to me why the Saints would go to these lengths to protect grown men who raped children. All of them should have been just as horrified at the allegations.'
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gayle Benson: 'To Our Knowledge' Fair Grounds 'Is Not For Sale'
Gayle Benson: 'To Our Knowledge' Fair Grounds 'Is Not For Sale' originally appeared on Paulick Report. After news broke Tuesday that Churchill Downs, Inc. had sent a letter to the Louisiana State Racing Commission revealing its plan to 'begin the next steps' to relinquish its live racing license, several names were bandied about the public sphere as potential buyers for the Fair Grounds Racetrack in New Orleans. According to among the names suggested was Gayle Benson. Benson is a prominent Thoroughbred owner via her G M B Racing, as well as the owner of the New Orleans Saints NFL team and Pelicans NBA team. Advertisement Benson issued a public statement via Saints and Pelicans executive Greg Bensel: 'With the recent news generated by Churchill Downs concerning their continued racing at Fair Grounds, we have had numerous calls regarding our interest in purchasing the Fair Grounds. Mrs. Benson continues to support the horse racing industry not only in Kentucky but more importantly here in Louisiana. "She has always maintained a great relationship with the leadership at Churchill Downs and certainly has been monitoring this situation at the Fair Grounds. Her hope is that horse racing continues in New Orleans at the Fair Grounds and is prosperous and sustainable. "It is an important and iconic industry that we cannot lose. To our knowledge, which is very limited relative to the operations of the Fair Grounds, it is not for sale. Our focus is on Saints minicamp and the upcoming NBA Draft.' This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Associated Press
10-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
NFL teams with female owners holding controlling shares or decision-making power
The NFL teams with female owners holding controlling shares or decision-making power now that the Indianapolis Colts have announced the late Jim Irsay's transition plan for ownership with his three daughters taking charge of the club. Those with minority shares not included. ___ Buffalo Bills Kim Pegula. She is co-owner with husband Terry Pegula, who bought the Bills in 2014. Cleveland Browns Dee Haslam, wife of Jimmy, with the Haslam family buying the Browns in 2012. Detroit Lions Sheila Ford Hamp. She took over June 23, 2020, as principal owner for her late mother Martha Firestone Ford. Indianapolis Colts Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson have held the title of owner since 2012. Now Irsay-Gordon is CEO, Foyt executive vice president and Jackson chief brand officer. Kansas City Chiefs Sharron Hunt is among four owners as a daughter of the late Lamar Hunt. New Orleans Saints Gayle Benson. San Francisco 49ers Denise DeBartolo York took control in 2001 and is currently co-chair of the team that is run by her son, Jed. Seattle Seahawks Jody Allen took over after the death of her brother, Paul, in 2018. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Darcie Glazer Kassewitz is a co-owner of the Bucs along with five brothers. Tennessee Titans Controlling owner Amie Adams-Strunk. The daughter of the franchise's founder Bud Adams, she took over in March 2015 from her brother-in-law and has held 50% of the team since late 2020. ___ AP NFL:
