Saints owner shifting priorities

[Mr. Scot]

From the Times Picayune: Benson stepping down from NFL committees to focus on other interests

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, one of the most influential owners in the NFL, has ceded some of his power.

After spending more than two decades on the league's Finance Committee, including three stints as its chairman, Benson, 85, stepped down from his role during last month's NFL owners' meeting in Phoenix. In doing so, Benson also exited his positions on the NFL's Audit and Compensation committees. The Finance Committee is widely viewed as one of the NFL's most influential and time-consuming positions.

Benson, who also owns the New Orleans Hornets, said he decided to leave the committees because he wants to concentrate on his other local business interests, including the Benson Tower, Champions Square and the continued re-branding of the Hornets, who will become the New Orleans Pelicans next season.

Saint fans painted Benson as The Devil when he was talking about moving the team. During last year's team bounty scandal though, he was viewed as their hero, standing up to the evil dictator, Roger Goodell.

Now he's wanting to shift some of his focus away fro the Saints toward alternate business ventures. Kinda wonder how that'll be received over in SaintLand.

Were I in his spot, my first order of business would probably be to figure out how in the hell my basketball team wound up being named "The Pelicans" (and naturally, to deny the decision had anything whatsoever to do with me).

[TbTeRRoR]

Were I in his spot, my first order of business would probably be to figure out how in the hell my basketball team wound up being named "The Pelicans" (and naturally, to deny the decision had anything whatsoever to do with me).

I was thinking this exact thing the pelicans wtf?

[carolina-chuck]

Nice logo and colors (pelicans)

[L-TownCat]

I was thinking this exact thing the pelicans wtf?

I know its been discussed but it was a New Orleans team name of some sort way back when. It has its ties to the city. Benson and his pals are probably the only ones old enough to remember it, but it's a Nawlin's Thang I guess. Either way I will gladly welcome the Hornets back in the Hive!

[Lumps]

yea the logo is about as badass as you can make a pelican look...

[Keith Moons Liver]

whenever I see their logo I think of nazis

[Mr. Scot]

I know its been discussed but it was a New Orleans team name of some sort way back when. It has its ties to the city. Benson and his pals are probably the only ones old enough to remember it, but it's a Nawlin's Thang I guess. Either way I will gladly welcome the Hornets back in the Hive!

A historical element helps it make a little more sense.

Still...Pelicans? :blink:

[L-TownCat]

A historical element helps it make a little more sense.

Still...Pelicans? :blink:

Yeah, I'm not giving it any support other than it could possibly bring back a team name that I loved from my youth. Charlotte just hasn't been the same without the Hornets.

[Mr. Scot]

Yeah, I'm not giving it any support other than it could possibly bring back a team name that I loved from my youth. Charlotte just hasn't been the same without the Hornets.

At least Hornets can be scary.

Pelicans make me think of Nigel from Finding Nemo.

[rayzor]

i remember reading about a problem they were having in arizona somewhere a few years back they were having with pelicans diving into the ground and killing themsleves. i guess they saw the refraction on the ground and thought it was water. i always felt bad for them and at the same time couldn't help thinking "what a dumb bird".

[L-TownCat]

At least Hornets can be scary.

Pelicans make me think of Nigel from Finding Nemo.

Yeah the Pelican is not exactly natures top predator or anything. It basically boils down to a bird that has tremendous deep throating skills.

[Mr. Scot]

Yeah the Pelican is not exactly natures top predator or anything. It basically boils down to a bird that has tremendous deep throating skills.

I am not going there :lol:

[CLEARHOT]

Okay kids, here's the scoop: The Brown Pelican is the state bird of Louisiana. In fact the Pelican is on their state flag.

[Mr. Scot]

i remember reading about a problem they were having in arizona somewhere a few years back they were having with pelicans diving into the ground and killing themsleves. i guess they saw the refraction on the ground and thought it was water. i always felt bad for them and at the same time couldn't help thinking "what a dumb bird".

Pretty sure that was the Boise State field. Thought it was seagulls though.