Tom Benson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Benson
|
|
|---|---|
Benson in 2009
|
|
| Born |
Thomas Milton Benson, Jr.
July 12, 1927 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
|
| Died | March 15, 2018 (aged 90) Jefferson, Louisiana, U.S.
|
| Education | St. Aloysius, 1944 |
| Occupation | Businessman and sports franchise owner |
| Years active | 1956-2018 (62 years) |
| Spouse(s) | Shirley Landry (deceased) Grace Marie Trudeau (d. 2003) Gayle Benson (née LaJaunie)
(m. 2004) |
| Children | 3 |
Thomas Milton Benson, Jr. (born July 12, 1927 – died March 15, 2018) was an American businessman. He was also a kind person who gave a lot to charity. He owned several car dealerships. Later, he became famous for owning sports teams.
He bought the New Orleans Saints football team in 1985. This team plays in the National Football League (NFL). In 2012, he also bought the New Orleans Pelicans basketball team. This team plays in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
As a sports team owner, Benson saw the Saints win the Super Bowl XLIV in 2009. This was a huge victory for the team. In October 2017, his wealth was estimated at $2.8 billion.
Contents
About Tom Benson
Starting His Career
Tom Benson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was born to Thomas Milton Benson, Sr. and Carmen Pintado. After finishing high school in 1944, he joined the US Navy in 1945. This was at the end of World War II.
After the war, he studied accounting at Loyola University New Orleans. He left college in 1948. Then, he started working as a car salesman in New Orleans.
In 1956, he moved to San Antonio to help a struggling car dealership. He earned a share of the business for his hard work. By 1962, he owned the dealership completely. He owned many car dealerships in the New Orleans metropolitan area and San Antonio areas.
Benson became very rich by investing his car dealership profits. He bought several small banks. He then created a company called Benson Financial. He sold this company in 1996.
Owning the New Orleans Saints
Tom Benson bought the New Orleans Saints in 1985. He learned that the team might move to Jacksonville, Florida. He wanted the team to stay in New Orleans. So, he bought the team on May 31, 1985.
After buying the Saints, Benson became a very popular owner. He hired Jim Finks as general manager and Jim Mora as head coach. They led the Saints to their first winning season. The team also made it to the playoffs for the first time.
Later, some people were not happy with Benson. He wanted a new stadium for the Saints. He suggested he might move the team if a new stadium was not built.
His popularity dropped a lot after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It looked like he might move the team to San Antonio. But he later said the Saints would return to New Orleans for the 2006 season. They did return. The team became much better after this. They won Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010. This made Benson very popular again.
Benson was known for his "Benson Boogie." After the Saints won a home game, he would dance. He would "second line" dance on the field of the Caesars Superdome. He carried an umbrella decorated in black and gold, the team's colors.
Other Business Ventures
On April 13, 2012, Benson bought the New Orleans Hornets. This basketball team is now called the New Orleans Pelicans. He bought them from the NBA for $338 million.
In 2017, Benson bought a large part of the Dixie Brewing Company. He planned to bring the brewing back to New Orleans.
Helping Others (Philanthropy)
The Benson family created a special fund at Central Catholic Marianist High School. This was in memory of their son, Robert Carter Benson. He graduated from the school in 1966. Tom Benson also gave money for the Benson Memorial Library at Central Catholic. Robert Carter Benson died from cancer in 1985.
Benson and his family also strongly supported the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. The Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium opened there on September 1, 2008. This stadium is used for soccer games too.
There is also a library named after Benson's son at St. Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio.
In September 2010, Benson gave $8 million to Loyola University New Orleans. This money helped create the Benson Jesuit Center.
In January 2012, Benson and his wife received a special award. It was called the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. This is the highest honor for Catholic people who are not priests.
In November 2012, Tom Benson and his wife, Gayle, gave $7.5 million. This money helped build Tulane University's Yulman Stadium. This stadium opened in 2014. It brought the Green Wave football team back to campus. The playing field is called Benson Field.
In November 2014, Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio was renamed. It became "Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium." This was because Tom Benson donated $11 million.
In 2015, the Benson family gave $20 million for cancer care and research.
Personal Life and Passing
Tom Benson spent his last years in the Audubon Place neighborhood in New Orleans. His brother, Larry Benson, also owned sports teams.
Benson was married three times. His first wife was Shirley Landry, who passed away. His second wife, Grace Marie Trudeau Benson, died in 2003. In October 2004, he married Gayle Marie LaJaunie Bird.
Tom Benson and his first wife Shirley adopted three children. Their names were Robert Carter Benson, Renee Benson, and Jeanne Marie Benson. Renee Benson has two adult children, Rita Benson LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc. Tom Benson's property was placed into a family trust.
Tom Benson was hospitalized on February 16, 2018, with the flu. He passed away almost a month later, on March 15, 2018. He was 90 years old. He died at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, Louisiana.
Awards and Honors
- Super Bowl XLIV Champion (as owner of the New Orleans Saints)
- 2010 Best Team ESPY Award (as owner of the Saints)
- Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium in San Antonio, Texas (University of the Incarnate Word) named in his and his wife's honor
- Football field at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana (Tulane University) named "Benson Field" in his honor
- Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio named in his honor
- Statue in Canton, Ohio (in front of his stadium)
- Tom Benson School in Kenner, Louisiana named in his honor
See also
In Spanish: Tom Benson para niños
