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New Orleans Saints And Pelicans Franchises Are Not For Sale

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Gayale Benson owns the Saints and Pelicans

Gayle Benson Shuts Down Sale Talk in New Orleans

Gayle Benson has made her position unmistakably clear. The owner of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans has no intention of selling either franchise. At 78 years old, and approaching her 79th birthday, Benson dismissed persistent rumors with blunt language.

“The teams are not for sale,” Benson said. She emphasized the point repeatedly and expressed frustration with constant inquiries. Benson said she remains healthy and active, and sees no reason to entertain discussions about ownership changes. She also addressed relocation rumors, telling fans and officials to calm down. According to Benson, both teams remain firmly rooted in New Orleans.

A Long-Term Plan for the Community

Benson did outline one future scenario. When she eventually passes, both franchises will be sold to the highest bidder. She stated clearly that 100 percent of those proceeds will be used to benefit the New Orleans community. That commitment reinforces her long-standing civic approach, even as speculation continues around the future of professional sports in the city.

For now, however, Benson remains in full control. Her focus is not on selling. It is on infrastructure, particularly for basketball.

Saints Stable, Pelicans Arena Not

The Saints’ home situation is secure. The State of Louisiana has renovated the Superdome multiple times, with the most recent upgrades just completed. The building remains one of the NFL’s signature venues.

The Pelicans’ situation is far more complicated. The team plays in a 26-year-old, state-owned arena that Benson believes no longer meets NBA standards. While the building survived Hurricane Katrina in good condition and underwent renovations in 2014, those improvements did not solve deeper structural issues.

Structural and Financial Challenges

A state assessment identified numerous high and medium priority concerns. The arena needs new seating and upgraded lighting. It also lacks a modern center-hung scoreboard and contemporary video screens. Concession areas require significant upgrades as well.

There are also design limitations. The lower bowl configuration restricts premium seating revenue. The overall footprint of the building limits modernization options. Those constraints hurt a franchise operating in one of the league’s smallest markets.

A Market Reality Problem

The Pelicans face challenges beyond the building. New Orleans is a small television market with limited corporate support. Ownership resources are not vast. That makes venue quality even more critical to financial stability.

Historically, Louisiana has sometimes paid franchise ownership to ensure the team stayed in the city. That history underscores the fragile economics involved. Benson needs a viable, modern basketball arena to keep the Pelicans competitive and sustainable.

The Bottom Line

Gayle Benson is not selling. The Saints are secure. The Pelicans, however, need a solution. Until a new or significantly upgraded arena becomes reality, pressure will remain on both ownership and the state to act.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com





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Venus Williams has a celebrity wedding

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While the AP News report confirms their marriage and Preti’s background as a Danish‑born Italian model and actor, the couple has kept the earliest details of their meeting private. What is known is that their relationship grew steadily over the past several years, with Preti becoming a consistent presence at Williams’ public appearances and tennis events. His support was especially visible during Williams’ return to competition in 2025, where he was often seen courtside cheering her on. Their connection deepened through shared interests in fashion, travel, and creative pursuits, forming the foundation of a partnership that friends describe as grounded, warm, and deeply supportive.

A Relationship Built on Support and Shared Passions

Williams publicly thanked Preti earlier in 2025 after becoming the second‑oldest woman to win a tour‑level singles match, noting that he was in the stands during her emotional victory at the DC Open. Their relationship has been marked by mutual encouragement — Williams continuing her legendary tennis career and Preti expanding his work in modeling and acting. The pair has appeared together at major fashion events, including the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York, signaling a shared comfort in both the sports and entertainment worlds.

A Five‑Day Wedding Celebration Filled With Style and Star Power

The couple married in Palm Beach, Florida, during a five‑day celebration surrounded by family, friends, and fellow athletes. While AP News does not list specific celebrity attendees, Williams’ long‑standing ties to the tennis world, fashion industry, and entertainment community suggest a guest list filled with notable figures. The event reportedly blended elegance with personal touches, reflecting Williams’ signature style and Preti’s European creative background. The celebration marked a joyful milestone for the seven‑time Grand Slam singles champion as she enters her 33rd season on the WTA Tour in 2026.

What’s Next for Venus and Andrea in 2026

Professionally, Williams is set to begin her 33rd straight season on tour, starting in Auckland in January. Her focus remains on competing at the highest level while continuing her work in fashion, business, and philanthropy. Preti, meanwhile, is expected to continue expanding his acting and modeling career, leveraging the visibility and momentum of this new chapter. Together, the newlyweds enter 2026 as a power couple balancing global careers, creative ambitions, and a shared life built on partnership and purpose.





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IOC Calls For Truce In Gaza And Ukraine Wars

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UN Gweneral Assembly

Any truce would last about two months.

IOC Pushes for Olympic Truce Ahead of Milan Cortina 2026

The International Olympic Committee is once again calling for a pause in global conflict, urging a temporary truce in the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine ahead of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The proposed truces would last roughly two months, covering the full Olympic and Paralympic window. While the IOC’s effort is unlikely to bring warring parties to the negotiating table, it has received formal backing from the international community through the United Nations.

United Nations Adopts Olympic Truce Resolution

The Olympic Truce Resolution was adopted during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution calls on all UN Member States to observe the Olympic Truce for the Milan Cortina 2026 Games, reinforcing the long standing connection between sport and peace.

In its official statement, the United Nations emphasized the Olympic ideal, stating the resolution aims at “building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal.”

The truce period is defined as beginning seven days before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games on February 6 and extending through seven days after the conclusion of the Paralympic Winter Games on March 15.

Safe Passage for Athletes and Officials

At its core, the Olympic Truce resolution focuses on ensuring the safe passage and participation of athletes, coaches, officials, and delegations traveling to and from the Games.

The tradition dates back to Ancient Greece in the ninth century BC, when warring city states agreed to lay down their arms so competitors could safely travel to ancient Olympia. The agreement allowed sport to exist above conflict, even if only temporarily.

The IOC formally revived the concept in the 1990s, viewing the Olympic Truce as a way to protect athletes and use sport as a platform for dialogue, reconciliation, and peace.

A History That Rarely Holds

Despite its symbolic value, the Olympic Truce has often failed on the modern world stage. Most notably, Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, directly violating the spirit of the truce.

History shows the limits of the Olympic ideal during global conflict. The 1916 Olympic Games were cancelled due to World War I, while the 1940 and 1944 Summer and Winter Olympics were cancelled because of World War II.

Symbolism Over Substance

While the Olympic Truce carries deep historical and moral significance, its real world impact remains limited. On the global stage, symbolic gestures rarely outweigh political and military realities.

Still, the IOC continues to push the message, believing that even a brief pause in violence is worth pursuing, if only to protect the athletes and preserve the ideals upon which the Olympic movement was built.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com





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Vancouver Whitecaps Ownership May Be Close To Getting A New Stadium

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Does Major League Soccer Have a Vancouver Problem?

The answer appears to be yes. However, there may also be a clear solution. That solution is a stadium village built around a modern soccer specific venue. The Vancouver City Council and the ownership group of the Vancouver Whitecaps have signed a memorandum of understanding. The agreement allows both sides to explore a new stadium and surrounding entertainment district. The proposed site sits on a recently closed city owned racetrack.

Stadium Revenue at the Center of the Issue

According to MLS Commissioner Don Garber, the Whitecaps ownership is not generating enough stadium revenue at its current home. The team does not control food and beverage sales. That limits one of the most important income streams for modern sports franchises.

There are also scheduling problems. The venue hosts other events that block access for the Whitecaps. In 2024, the issue reached a breaking point. An MLS playoff match could not be played in Vancouver due to a conflict. The match against Portland had to be moved to Portland.

Those problems hurt revenue and competitive balance. They also weaken the long term stability of the franchise.

Political Pressure and Relocation Concerns

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim did not mince words when discussing the situation. He acknowledged that there are interested parties who would like to buy the Whitecaps. Some of those groups would consider moving the team if a new stadium deal is not reached.

Sim made it clear that ownership control matters. Without a stadium and control over concessions, the economics do not work. He stated that there may be no realistic path for the Whitecaps to remain in Vancouver without the memorandum of understanding.

That statement raised alarms across the city and within MLS.

World Cup Venue But Still a Problem

The current Vancouver stadium is 42 years old. It is also undergoing another renovation. The building will host seven FIFA Men’s World Cup matches in 2026.

That alone confirms the venue is not obsolete. FIFA does not select broken or outdated facilities for its premier events. Still, World Cup suitability does not solve MLS business issues.

A multipurpose stadium rarely maximizes revenue for a single tenant. That reality drives league wide pressure for soccer specific venues.

Garber Gets the Result He Wanted

Garber’s role is to advocate for MLS owners. That includes pushing for better venues and stronger lease terms. The memorandum of understanding suggests progress.

A stadium village would give the Whitecaps control. It would also anchor development around the club. That model has worked across North America.

MLS may have had a Vancouver problem. It now appears to have a Vancouver opportunity.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim





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