Latest news with #GayleBenson
New York Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Pelicans leadership addresses future with Zion Williamson following rape accusation
New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and owner Gayle Benson are standing behind star forward Zion Williamson after he was accused of rape and domestic violence in a civil lawsuit last week. 'I've had really good conversations with Zion,' Dumars told The Times-Picayune on Wednesday about Williamson's future with the team. 'We've had lunch. Dinner. Watched playoff games together. We've done it all. I've had some real honest conversations with him. Some real direct and honest conversations. We're going to go forward with Zion. He's going to continue to be a focal point here as we go forward.' Advertisement When asked about the lawsuit against Williamson, Dumars said, 'I've been advised not to venture into any of his legal issues.' On Tuesday, Benson, who also owns the New Orleans Saints, addressed the suit, saying, 'You know, lawsuits are lawsuits.' 'People can sue you for anything,' Benson told reporters, per WWLTV. 'There's no reason. You can be innocent or not, so it's just something that people do, unfortunately.' The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday by a woman who said she dated Williamson for almost five years, beginning when he was a freshman at Duke. The woman, identified as Jane Doe in the suit, is seeking an unspecified amount in damages from Williamson. In the lawsuit, she alleged that Williamson repeatedly raped her, hit and kicked her and made her fear for her life in several instances before the relationship ended in June 2023. She also alleged that Williamson falsely imprisoned and stalked her, threatened to kill her, and that he had a pattern of 'abusive, controlling, and threatening behavior.' Williamson denied the allegations in a statement through his attorneys, calling them 'categorically false and reckless.' His attorneys disputed the nature of the relationship, saying he and the woman never dated but maintained 'a consensual, casual relationship.' The attorneys said they 'reported the plaintiff's extortion attempts to law enforcement' and that Williamson 'intends to file counterclaims and seek significant damages for this defamatory lawsuit.' Williamson, 24, played at Duke for one season before the Pelicans selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He has spent six seasons as the team's star but has only logged 214 career games due to numerous injuries.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Landry, Louisiana leaders talk about Super Bowl economic impact
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Louisiana leaders are set to talk about how Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans impacted the state's economy Tuesday morning. The New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee, New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson, Secretary of the Department of Louisiana Economic Development Susan Bourgeois, and GNO Inc. will join Gov. Jeff Landry at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge. The news conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. Louisiana First News will provide a livestream in this article. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-22, in the Big Game on Feb. 9, 2025. These New Orleans Super Bowls weren't played in the Superdome NCAA Super Regional schedule announced; see when LSU Baseball plays FDA elevates tomato recall in 3 states to highest level Watch: Masked man throws egg inscribed with 'message' at Cybertruck, owner says What to expect during the 2025 hurricane season | Tracking the Tropics Tariffs drive up U.S. auto prices by 2.5% Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Algiers school renamed honoring NOLA philanthropist Gayle Benson
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Businesswoman and owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, Gayle Benson will have a school named in her honor. Officials with the Algiers Charter Board of trustees voted on April 24 to rename Martin Behrman Charter School as Gayle Benson Academy. Celebrating Goodwill Week with good work being done Benson who was born and raised in Old Algiers, graduated from Martin Behrman in 1966 and has since gone on to become a business leader and philanthropist. The honor will highlight her contributions to the City of New Orleans. 'This is a moment of pride and purpose for our entire organization,' said Dr. Tammi Griffin-Major, CEO of Algiers Charter. 'Mrs. Benson's extraordinary commitment to our city and its future aligns beautifully with our mission to empower students through education. We are honored to carry her name into the next generation of leadership and learning.' School board officials said the school has served as a hub for educational achievement and student development on the Westbank. Robert Prevost becomes first American pope of the Catholic Church: What to know 'I am deeply humbled by this recognition. Education is the foundation of a strong community, and I firmly believe in investing in the success of young people. As a Martin Behrman graduate, this recognition holds special meaning for me. I am proud to support a school that is transforming lives and shaping the future of New Orleans.' Mrs. Gayle Benson Officials stated that this new chapter will reaffirm the schools commitment to quality education, equity and opportunity. Her late husband and former owner of the Saints also has a school named in his honor in Kenner, Tom Benson administration proposes cuts to SNAP benefits Wi-Fi hotspots may disappear at schools across the country Judge orders Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk to be released Algiers school renamed honoring NOLA philanthropist Gayle Benson What to know for race weekend at Kansas Speedway Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
09-05-2025
- General
- Axios
The joy, the grief and the grind: A day in New Orleans
Thursday was a reminder to me of what it means to live in New Orleans: the highs, the lows and the daily grind. Why it matters: It's not easy living here, but there are many reasons we call it home. The big picture: I kicked off the morning at City Hall as Councilman Freddie King III declared it Cam Jordan Day. The festivities captured the joy we know and love, with music, dancing, costumes and high-fiving. Even Saints owner Gayle Benson got in on the fun, cracking a joke about Jordan's stellar stats against the Falcons. Yes, but: Benson then rushed over in her red-soled Louboutins to Gallier Hall where the New Orleans Police Department was honoring officers who responded to the New Year's Day terrorist attack. Talk about a vibe shift. The award ceremony was solemn as Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick talked about the mental health toll on the responding officers. The a cappela version of " My Tribute (How Can I Say Thanks)" brought me and others to tears. Same for my conversation with the grandmother of one of the officers who was first on the scene. Then, it was time to pull myself together and head back to City Hall for a council meeting, where members were elevating concerns they heard from constituents. The meeting wrapped in time for me to head over to Civil Court, where they were recounting the ballots for Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office millage, which passed by two votes. My takeaway: We all have value. Whether we are leading the Saints to victory or taking down a gunman or casting a vote, we each have a role in this community. I'm glad we are able to recognize our hardships, find our joy and then get back to handling our business.
Axios
16-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
4 Louisiana billionaires make Forbes' wealthiest list
Gayle Benson and Todd Graves aren't the only billionaires in Louisiana, according to Forbes' latest billionaires ranking. Two more South Louisiana residents made this year's list. Todd Graves Graves, 53, is the 293rd richest person in the world as of Monday. He's worth $9.5 billion, Forbes says. The Baton Rouge resident founded Raising Cane's nearly 30 years ago and remains the CEO. He's a longtime Bacchus krewe member and tells Axios he's a fan of the fried shrimp poboys from Domilise's. Go deeper Gayle Benson Benson, 78, added another billion to her net worth last year, coming in at a cool $7.1 billion. She's ranked 460 as of Monday. She lives in New Orleans and owns the Saints and the Pelicans. She's the first woman to be the principal owner of both an NFL and NBA team. Benson grew up in Old Algiers. She previously worked in jewelry sales, real estate development and interior design, according to her official bio. William Goldring William Goldring, 82, lives in New Orleans and is worth an estimated $7 billion, Forbes says. He's the 467th richest person in the world. The Tulane grad is the chairman of the Sazerac Co., which owns about 500 alcohol brands and a dozen distilleries around the world. Go deeper His brands include Pappy Van Winkle, Southern Comfort, Buffalo Trace and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. Last year, his company bought the BuzzBallz line, Forbes says. Gary Chouest Gary Chouest, 80, is worth $2 billion and is ranked 1,763 on the world's billionaires list. He is the owner and president of Edison Chouest Offshore, which Forbes says owns more than 200 offshore vessels for the oil, gas and wind power industries. The Cut Off resident also owns a stake in Bollinger Shipyard Group, Forbes says. And he was once a minority owner of the New Orleans Hornets.
