Gayle Benson Stuns NFL World, Announces Intent to Sell All New Orleans Saints Assets Following Team’s Playoff Elimination
NEW ORLEANS — In a move that sent shockwaves through the NFL community late Sunday evening, New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson announced she intends to sell all Saints-related assets after the team was officially eliminated from the 2025 playoff race.
The announcement came just minutes after the Saints’ 27–19 loss at home, a defeat that sealed their third straight season without a postseason appearance.
Benson, 78, delivered the news through a brief press conference in the team auditorium, where she appeared composed but somber. “This has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life,” she said. “The New Orleans Saints have been part of my heart and soul for decades. But the time has come for new vision, new leadership, and new energy to carry this team forward.”
Though rumors about Benson contemplating a sale had circulated quietly for months, the suddenness of the announcement caught players, staff, and NFL officials off guard. Several Saints players exiting the locker room appeared stunned when informed by reporters.
“It’s surreal,” said veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan. “Mrs. Benson has been the identity of this organization. Thinking about the Saints without her—it doesn’t compute.”
Sources close to the franchise say Benson’s decision stems from a combination of factors: frustrations with consecutive losing seasons, growing pressures related to team restructuring, and her desire to focus more fully on philanthropic work in New Orleans.
Benson emphasized that her commitment to the city remains “unwavering,” noting that proceeds from the eventual sale will help expand several community initiatives.
The shocking move raises major questions about the team’s future. A change in ownership could accelerate a long-discussed rebuild, including potential front-office restructuring and decisions about the future of head coach Dennis Allen.
League insiders expect multiple bidders, including both local business groups and national investment conglomerates, to emerge quickly once the team is formally listed.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement late Sunday night acknowledging “the profound role Mrs. Benson has played in shaping the modern Saints franchise” and assured fans that the league will work to ensure a “smooth and stable transition of ownership.”
For many long-time Saints fans, the news triggered both anxiety and reflection. At a bustling French Quarter bar, patrons glued to the postgame coverage fell silent as Benson’s announcement aired.
“Say what you want about the team’s struggles,” said lifelong fan Aisha Landry, “but Mrs. Benson kept the Saints rooted in this city. Without her, we might not have recovered after the darkest times.”
As the season winds down, uncertainty looms over the franchise’s next chapter. For now, New Orleans finds itself at the crossroads of nostalgia and upheaval—awaiting the identity of the next steward of its beloved Saints.