Tom Benson
Tom Benson
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Thomas Bassile "Tom" Benson was an American businessman and philanthropist.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: March 27, 1927, in New Orleans, Louisiana
Died: May 15, 2018, in New Orleans, Louisiana
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Nationality: American
Profession(s): Businessman, Philanthropist, Owner of the NFL's New Orleans Saints and the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans
Early Life and Background
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Tom Benson was born on March 27, 1927, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up during a tumultuous time in American history, with World War II raging overseas. Despite the challenges of his youth, Benson demonstrated an early aptitude for business and entrepreneurship. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, he began working in the car sales industry.
Benson's rise to success was not without its setbacks. In 1956, his first car dealership went bankrupt, but he persevered and eventually built a successful chain of car dealerships across Louisiana. His business acumen and strategic thinking enabled him to expand into new markets and industries, including real estate and banking.
Major Accomplishments
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Founder and Owner: Tom Benson was the founder and owner of several notable companies, including the automobile dealership chain, B&B Auto Sales; the radio station WBOK-AM; and the newspaper The Times-Picayune.
Owner of Professional Sports Teams: In 1985, Benson purchased the NFL's New Orleans Saints. He later acquired the NBA's New Orleans Hornets (now known as the Pelicans) in 2010.
Philanthropy: Throughout his life, Benson donated to various charitable causes and institutions in Louisiana, including Our Lady of the Angels Hospital, St. Louis Cathedral, and the University of New Orleans.Notable Works or Actions
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In 1996, Benson's team, the New Orleans Saints, won Super Bowl XXXIV.
Under his ownership, the Saints became a beloved part of the city's identity, providing hope and entertainment to locals during difficult times.
As a businessman and philanthropist, Benson demonstrated an unwavering commitment to giving back to his community.
Impact and Legacy
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Tom Benson's impact on New Orleans extends far beyond his business ventures. His dedication to sports, education, and healthcare has left a lasting legacy in the city he loved. Through his philanthropic efforts, he helped raise funds for local charities, institutions, and initiatives that improved the lives of countless individuals.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Tom Benson's life is an inspiration to entrepreneurs and business leaders everywhere. His perseverance, strategic thinking, and commitment to community are qualities that continue to resonate with people today. As a successful businessman and philanthropist, he leaves behind a remarkable legacy in the city of New Orleans and beyond.
His quotes and wisdom have been passed down through generations, reminding us of the importance of hard work, determination, and giving back to our communities. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply someone looking for inspiration, Tom Benson's life story is a testament to what can be achieved with vision, drive, and compassion.
Quotes by Tom Benson
The entire New Orleans Saints organization would like to extend its prayers and best wishes to all of our fans throughout Louisiana and the Gulf South region, ... a source of pride and joy in these difficult days.
The truth is it's all about business. My morning business is better because of the free coffee and doughnuts. I'm a businessman; I'm here to make money.
I don't want to leave Louisiana, OK. Otherwise, we wouldn't be playing four games here.
They just got behind the Saints. I really personally feel like they're the ones who reap the credit. The defense played an outstanding game, but they had those guys charged up.
I've got it written down here to make sure everybody will hear what they'd like to hear.
It's most important for everyone involved to make certain capacity crowds attend every game that we have here, ... This is something brand new, never happened before in the National Football League.
It's most important for there to be capacity crowds to attend every game we have here. It could make me proud, not only of our football team, but show what kind of city you have here.
As we move forward together, the Saints look forward to serving as a leader in the rebuilding and revitalization of our great community.