In a Baton Rouge YMCA, just days before Christmas, Gayle Benson stands alongside children, helping to create festive memories. Her stature may be petite, but her presence is immense. The 78-year-old, with a serene gaze and gentle manner, possesses an undeniable, regal aura. In Louisiana, with a fortune estimated at $7.9 billion (£6.2 billion), she is sporting royalty and the figurative first lady of New Orleans.
From Humble Beginnings to Historic Ownership
Earlier this year, Gayle Benson earned a verified new title: The Most Powerful Woman in Sports. She made history by becoming the first woman to own both an NBA and an NFL franchise, inheriting the New Orleans Pelicans and Saints following her late husband Tom Benson’s death in 2018. This marked a remarkable journey for a woman from a humble, Catholic upbringing in the working-class Algiers neighbourhood, who defied expectations to make her mark in the testosterone-fuelled world of professional sports.
The NFL has long been a domain dominated almost exclusively by men. When Mrs Benson ascended to the exclusive club of NFL owners, she joined a sorority of just four female principal owners. She is undaunted by the league's colourful characters, embodying a 'steel magnolia' resilience rather than a shrinking violet.
‘It really doesn't, because we're all human beings,’ Mrs Benson told The Daily Mail when asked about the challenges of being a woman in this arena. ‘I don't look at men and women any differently. I feel like we're all equal. No one intimidates me but God, so I'm really good.’
A Growing Sisterhood in the NFL
When Mrs Benson took the helm of the Saints, only three women were principal team owners. That landscape is changing. Today, 10 NFL teams have partial or full female ownership. This year, the sorority expanded with Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson taking control of the Indianapolis Colts after their father Jim Irsay’s death.
Irsay-Gordon, now CEO, has drawn attention for her visible sideline presence. Mrs Benson, who stepped into ownership in a similar way, expressed full confidence in her new peer. ‘I think she's gonna do great,’ she insisted. ‘I really do. I think she's going to be fabulous.’
Her unique position, with a foot in both the NBA and NFL worlds, led Forbes to crown her with its powerful title two months ago. The Saints and Pelicans carry a combined valuation of $8.35 billion.
Driving Global Ambitions and Community Legacy
Mrs Benson has been instrumental in the NFL’s global push. The Saints became the first franchise to secure international marketing rights in France and partner with the Paris Musketeers. She was also pivotal in bringing the Super Bowl back to New Orleans in February 2025, with Commissioner Roger Goodell hailing her as a leader.
The event saw President Donald Trump as her personal guest. ‘He is such a nice person,’ she recalled. ‘I've met him on many other occasions... and he's just a nice person to be around.’ She is already working to host the event again, with a new lease extension for the Superdome allowing the franchise to bid for the 2031 Super Bowl.
On the field, the Saints have struggled recently, sitting bottom of the NFC South. Yet, Mrs Benson remains optimistic. ‘I think we've had an incredible season - a little bumpy start, but I think we're gonna be okay,’ she shared.
Her community impact is profound. Last week, during her ‘Month of Giving,’ she partnered with Raising Cane’s for a Holiday Bike Giveaway and made a personal $50,000 donation for a YMCA locker room. She has also ensured her legacy will endure. With no heirs, her succession plan calls for the teams to be sold upon her death, with proceeds establishing a multi-billion dollar charitable foundation for New Orleans.
Serene, soft-spoken, and graceful, Gayle Benson has carved a lasting mark on one of America’s most vibrant cities and its fiercely competitive professional sports leagues.
