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

Let ’em Run Happy Hour Sets the Tone for the Weekend

Friday afternoons are for racing talk, strong opinions, and getting positioned for the weekend. That is exactly what Let ’em Run presents Friday Happy Hour delivers. The show continues to grow as a go-to spot for horseplayers who want insight without the fluff.

The focus stays on upcoming cards, betting angles, and how to approach the weekend bankroll. The conversation is relaxed, but the analysis stays sharp. This is not about chasing every race. It is about finding value and understanding where the opportunities really are.

Smart Racing Talk Without the Noise

Let ’em Run Happy Hour leans into real handicapping conversations. The show breaks down form cycles, pace scenarios, and trainer intent. It avoids overcomplicating things. The goal is clarity, not confusion.

Viewers get a feel for how seasoned bettors think. That includes when to press and when to pass. It also includes understanding why certain races matter more than others. Fridays are about preparation, and the show reflects that mindset.

The atmosphere stays loose, but the information is serious. That balance is what keeps people coming back.

Saturday Brings More Let ’em Run Coverage

The conversation does not stop on Friday. Fans can also catch John Kostin and Fred York on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Their show continues the Let ’em Run approach with a deeper dive into the day’s racing action.

Kostin and York bring experience and perspective. They focus on race structure, wagering strategy, and how to attack key sequences. The show is designed to help bettors make informed decisions before post time.

Saturday’s show pairs perfectly with Friday Happy Hour. One sets the table. The other helps you eat.

Building Momentum Into the Racing Weekend

Let ’em Run continues to build a community around thoughtful racing content. The shows respect the audience’s intelligence. They also respect the difficulty of the game.

Friday Happy Hour starts the weekend with confidence. Saturday’s show sharpens the final approach. Together, they offer a complete setup for players who want to be ready when the gates open.

If you are looking for racing talk that values preparation, discipline, and smart wagering, Let ’em Run delivers exactly that.

You can watch the Friday show live here on Sports Talk Florida at 3 p.m EST.

Mesa Joins the Stadium-Village Trend

The calendar year 2026 is picking up right where 2025 ended. Another city is going to create an entertainment district with the hope of building a stadium-village. The goal is to attract a Major League Soccer franchise, a National Women’s Soccer League team, or both. The latest municipality is Mesa, Arizona, which is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Mesa is the spring training home of the Major League Baseball Chicago Cubs franchise and John Fisher’s Athletics franchise. Mesa also hosts an Arizona Fall League development team.

The Palo District Proposal

The Mesa City Council has approved the formation of the Palo District at a location where an abandoned mall is located. The district will feature restaurants, retail, lodging, offices, residences, and a “multi-use stadium that could include soccer.” The proposal promises to be an economic catalyst bringing jobs to the area. That is the standard line about these types of proposals.

“The Phoenix metropolitan area is a great place for it, and we’re able and willing to court them,” Mayor Mark Freeman said. “MLS, women’s soccer and there could be other sports venues as well.”

Quick Approval, Bigger Challenges

It took the Mesa city council about 12 minutes to approve the creation of the district. No Mesa residents attended the meeting. That was the easy part. Now comes the real work. Finding money to build the stadium-village, finding an owner, and then finding a league that wants to put a soccer team in Mesa.

There is no indication that Major League Soccer wants to expand in the near future. The league has been keeping an eye on developments in Indianapolis, where elected officials also want to build a stadium-village. The NWSL probably would have an interest in placing a team in the Phoenix area if a stadium becomes available.

Politicians Bet on Stadium-Villages

Politicians are falling in love with soccer-stadium villages. This is despite the fact there is no evidence they are an economic generator. The concept remains appealing as a way to bring sports, development, and jobs to cities. Mesa now joins the growing list of municipalities attempting to leverage this strategy for professional soccer.

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