New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson conducted an exclusive one-on-one interview with Times-Picayune columnist Jeff Duncan on Thursday.
During a rare and wide-ranging 30-minute discussion, Benson was candid and forthcoming about a variety of topics, including:
The current state of both the Saints and Pelicans teams.
The job status of Saints general manager Mickey Loomis.
The job status of Pelicans head coach Willie Green.
Negotiations with the state on a lease agreement at the Smoothie King Center.
Discussions with the NFL on New Orleans' bid to host the 2031 Super Bowl.
Here's the detailed conversation on a wide range of topics:
Question: The Saints and Pelicans are both off to historically slow starts. How would you assess their respective seasons so far?
Benson: "I am obviously not happy. I am disappointed, and I would expect our fans to also be disappointed. What we established over the last two decades with the Saints was a winning organization with the expectation to compete for championships every year. That is our goal, and that has not changed. That is what I expect, and it is what our fans expect.
"There is the reality that both leagues have rules to create parity and opportunity, such as the salary cap, and I certainly understand resetting that cap and rebuilding, but nevertheless, I want to win. My role is to hire the best people I can and give them the resources they need to win. It is also my job to hold them accountable if we are not meeting our goals. My expectations for the Pelicans are the same."
Question: How disappointed are you with the Saints’ season so far?
Benson: “I'm very disappointed, as everybody is. But we're in a rebuilding mode. Mickey said this from the very beginning of the season. But, look, I understand how fans feel. I really do. And I feel bad for the fans, but we told everybody in the beginning, this was gonna be a tough year, and it has been a tough year. They just need to be patient. And I know it's hard to ask them to be patient, but all of us are disappointed.
"I mean the whole office over here is disappointed. But we can't just jump ship just because we’re having a horrible season. It doesn't work that way. We're gonna have good times. We're gonna have bad times. And I'm hoping fans will understand. But they need to know that I'm very upset and very disappointed, probably more so than them. Because I'm taking the brunt of this. But I still want them to know that I really care, and I'm doing everything I can. I mean, I'm giving them (the teams) every resource. I put all that money into the Superdome. I'm getting ready to put more money into the Smoothie King Center, along with Champions Square. I've been talking with the governor (Jeff Landry) on a regular basis. We’ve got a lot going on. And it’s all for the benefit of the fans.”
Question: Fans have expressed their discontent to us at The Times-Picayune via emails, text messages and letters to the editor. How aware are you and other team officials of the fans’ displeasure right now?
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New Orleans Saints Super Fan Whistle Monsta, reflects on the 23-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com) STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD
Benson: “I am absolutely aware. I am not an absentee owner who flies in just for games. I am in the office and am out in the community every day. I talk to fans, partners and our staff every day. We discuss and hear their frustrations regarding the performances of both teams — every day. No one is very happy with either team’s performance now, especially me. With that said, I am confident both teams are heading in the right direction, specifically the acquisition and development of our young players that are playing and starting for both teams. They will be our core for years to come. But again, I understand the frustration and anxiety of patience. I believe in the plan and vision as we develop both teams in getting our younger players that we have drafted on the field and on the court now.”
Question: Do you receive letters and messages from fans?
Benson: “Yes. All the time. And they're very upset. And I'm very upset, but I can't do any more than I'm doing. I'm not gonna fight anybody. These people that work for me, I respect them. They work very hard. You don't think Mickey Loomis is losing sleep at night over all of this? He is. It's hard. It's not an easy job. It's not like he's sitting on his butt, not worrying about things.”
Question: The Pelicans are 150-188 (.444) and have not won a playoff series in Willie Green’s four-plus seasons as head coach. There have been national reports that the organization is “monitoring” his job status. How do you assess the job he’s done so far as head coach?
Benson: "I hired Joe Dumars because we needed a change in leadership at that top level of the Pelicans. I believe in Joe, and Joe knows exactly the stats you noted. We need to improve immediately. Our roster is built for success right now. I will rely on Joe to make these decisions and changes as he sees fit."
Question: Specifically as it pertains to Willie Green, how do you feel about the job he has done?
Benson: “I really like Willie Green, but I hired Joe Dumars to assess our basketball operation. And that’s what he is doing. He is assessing Willie and all the players. He and I spent the entire halftime (of the Portland Trail Blazers game on Wednesday night) talking. When he makes a decision, that's up to him. That's why I hired him. I trust Joe, because I feel like he knows people. He's known Willie since he was a child, so they know each other. And if he can fix that problem, then he'll fix it. If he can't, then that'll be his decision, not mine. I've left that in his hands.”
Question: Many fans have lost confidence in the leadership of Saints GM Mickey Loomis, pointing to the club’s lack of success without head coach Sean Payton.
Benson: “It may not be what the fans want to hear, but as far as firing Mickey Loomis, that’s ridiculous. (He) does a great job. Mickey's been one of the top NFL general managers. He's a great guy. He's got a bunch of rookies. He's got a new coach who just was in the Super Bowl. I mean, what else can I do?"
Question: How would you answer his critics, who say he is not held accountable by you and president Dennis Lauscha?
Benson: “It is important to note that both Joe Dumars and Mickey Loomis report only to me, no one else in the building. I am in the office every day speaking with them, I am in the locker room after every game, win or lose, and available to them to provide whatever support they need to be successful.
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Mickey Loomis, executive vice president and general manager of the New Orleans Saints, talks about training camp and the team, during a press conference at the Saints headquarters on Airline Drive in Metairie, Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune) STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD
"It is incorrect to assume that Mickey Loomis is not held accountable. I agree with everyone, including Mickey, that we do not have the record that we want. However, I do see a team that is building for the future. While I am not nuanced in the details of specific football moves, I am aware of what I see on the field. Our (first-year head) coach, Kellen Moore, has the makeup to be a very special coach, and I am excited about having him. I am also very excited about our young players and the way they have played this year. … It also appears we may have found a young quarterback in Tyler Shough, who has the potential to start for us for many years. I was so proud to see Tyler do well, and I shared that with him after the game. He's doing a great job. I really like that young man. So, from what I can see from my seat, is a young team that is headed in the right direction.”
Question: Many fans believe Mickey Loomis is part of the problem rather than part of the solution. Explain why you have confidence in Mickey Loomis’ work as GM.
Benson: “This offseason, Mickey managed the retirement of Derek Carr, saving us $30 million in cap space. He also traded defensive tackle Khalen Saunders to the Jaguars for our current starting veteran center, Luke Fortner, who has played a pivotal role in the absence of Erik McCoy following his season-ending injury. I am told that Saunders was just released by the Jaguars. We currently hold seven draft choices for the 2026 NFL Draft, all of which will help us continue building this young roster.
"As our fans know well, Mickey also oversaw two of the greatest drafts in league history in 2006 and 2017, not to mention leading the charge during one of the most challenging situations for the greatest free-agent signing in professional sports, Drew Brees.
"Mickey is one of the longest-tenured and most respected general managers in the NFL. In 2006, he was the lone voice in our building to hire Sean Payton. When I am asked to hold Mickey Loomis accountable, I do. Not every decision works out, they never do; that is why I am sharing with you the body of work that Mickey has contributed to making our team so successful over the years. I hold him in high esteem, and I am very pleased with what he has accomplished, acquired and is building."
Question: Given the historically slow starts this season and the recent struggles of both clubs to make the playoffs, why should fans have confidence in the management and direction of the organization?
Benson: "Like I stated, there is the reality that both leagues have rules to create parity and opportunity. Fortunately, those rules in both leagues allow for quicker turnarounds than they used to if you make the right decisions. My role is to hire the best people I can and give them the resources they need to win. I have committed millions to state of the art practice facilities and hiring coaches and support staffs for these teams. I also take great pride in not meddling in the day-to-day operations, letting our football and basketball people do their jobs. And yes, it is also my job to hold them accountable if we are not meeting our goals. Away from the field and court, it is also my job to make sure our business operations are providing the best product for our fans in their gameday experience.
"I committed $180 million to the renovation of the Caesars Superdome. Those are direct improvements for our fans that we know and hear are well received. As I stated publicly, when we signed the long-term state lease, I made it very clear that my next major priority was to renovate the Smoothie King Center and bring Champions Square up to a level that is the best in the NBA. I have already started speaking with Governor Landry about this plan. While there are still some fan facing issues at both the Caesars Superdome and Smoothie King Center, such as concessions, we continue to work with ASM on correcting these so that our fans have the best experience possible."
Question: Where do things stand on negotiations with the state on a long-term lease at the Smoothie King Center?
Benson: "The other night I was at an event where the governor was being honored with the Boy Scouts at the World War II Museum, and he pulled me aside and said, "We are going to get together, and we're going to get this next deal done. I said, "OK. I got it." So we are going to address this. Timing is everything. You just can't jump from one project to the next that quickly. We're talking about a lot of money, and we're talking about a lot of planning. We've been planning this for a long time.
"We've been working on the Superdome (lease agreement) for a long time. We finally got that settled and now we're going to work on the arena, and it's going to be just the governor and I. I don't want anybody else in the room. And the governor and I both agree on that. You know, when you get too many people involved, it becomes a big mess. The governor and I know what we need to do. And that's what we're going to do."
Question: Is there any update on where things stand on New Orleans and the 2031 Super Bowl? Have you met with (NFL commissioner) Roger Goodell yet on that?
Benson: "I meet with Roger on a regular basis on different issues. He and I were texting this morning. We are going to find out about Super Bowl in a couple of months, probably a couple of (NFL) meetings from now. Our league meeting is in May (to discuss future Super Bowls). They like to (decide on) Super Bowls four years out. I think they're going to let us bid, even though we're coming in late.
"All of the owners want to come to New Orleans. As you know, in New Orleans, we can't have the Super Bowl every year because of all the events that we have coming here. But the 2031 game is where we want to be."
Question: Do you think it's still a possibility for the city? Even after missing the original deadline to submit our intent to host that year?
Benson: "Oh, yeah, sure. We still have a chance. But I can't promise that because I don't have a crystal ball. I wish I did, but I don't. OK, I can't say the (NFL's Super Bowl) committee's going to definitely vote for New Orleans. I can't say that. But I can say that all the owners and Roger and his whole team want to come back here. But we don't have that in writing."
Question: Is it your understanding that the league will work with New Orleans, given the complications we have here in certain years with Mardi Gras and major conventions?
Benson: "Oh, they are. And they will. We do have the best city for the Super Bowl. There's only three or four cities that really can handle (the Super Bowl), and they're going to work with us. They want to come back. Let's hope it happens. The governor and I are going to go back to meet with Roger in January. He said he would be glad to meet with the governor, but he said, I can't give him any more information than I'm giving you. It's done by committee. I'm part of it. We're still in the early stages of choosing (the Super Bowls) that far out. He said, 'We're going to get there, and as soon as we do, you're going to be the first one (in line).' Right now we can't."
Question: So you're saying the ship hasn't sailed on New Orleans getting the 2031 Super Bowl?
Benson: "No, it hasn't sailed. And people need to calm down about that. They need to give me some breathing room so I can get stuff done."
Question: It was recently indicated that some aspects of the succession plan for the franchises has changed in recent years. If so, is there anything you'd like the public to know about those changes?
Benson: "There have been no substantive changes to the succession plan. It remains that when I die, both teams will be sold to the highest bidder and those proceeds will be used 100% to improve this community. I did authorize a change that we will have a group of committed individuals administer the proceeds of the sale upon my death, rather than have one individual handle making those decisions. Finally, I want to reiterate and make this abundantly clear, I am not selling these teams.
Question: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Benson: "Yes. Let me be clear about this: The teams are not for sale. That's in capital letters. I want everybody to know the teams are not for sale. I get tired of people asking me (if they're for sale). I'm going to turn 79 in January, but I'm pretty healthy. I hear that people want to talk to me about buying the team. I'm like, well, that's a waste of my time. That's not going to happen. And people need to calm down about the team moving.
"And finally, I just want everyone to know that I'm doing everything that I can, other than throwing the ball and catching it and getting the ball in the hoop. I can't do any more than I'm doing. I'm giving them (the teams) the money. I've done everything I can to help these guys. After every game, win or lose, both teams, I'm in that locker room. When they come in from the field or off the court, I'm hugging every one of them, win or lose. I can't do any more than let them know I'm supporting them. I don't know what else I can do."