Gayle Benson, who owns the NFL New Orleans Saints and the NBA New Orleans Pelicans, has been named the most influential woman in sports by Forbes magazine.
Benson, who is also one of the world’s richest people according to Forbes with a net worth of $7.9 billion, earned praise for her role in hosting Super Bowl LIX and for her leadership in globalizing the Saints brand.
The Saints and Pelicans are valued at a combined $8.5 billion.
“She has been central to the NFL’s international ambitions, with the Saints becoming the first franchise with marketing rights in France and partnering with the Paris Musketeers of the European League of Football (ELF),” Forbes said in its report. “Benson was also instrumental in bringing Super Bowl LIX to New Orleans, according to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who said in February that ‘in business, philanthropy and football, Gayle is a leader, always advocating for the Saints and her native city.'”
Gov. Jeff Landry posted his praise of Benson in a post on X: “@Forbes is announcing something we in Louisiana already knew: Mrs. Benson is the most powerful woman in sports. Louisiana is lucky to have her!”
On Oct. 2 Landry and Benson announced a new lease deal that would keep the Saints playing in the Caesars Superdome for at least another decade.
“I am never going to leave,” she said, crediting Landry and his administration for advancing negotiations on the new lease of the Superdome, which was opened 50 years ago and recently underwent a $450 million renovation.
Landry called Benson an “unbelievable ambassador for the city and state.”
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.