As with the New Orleans Saints of the NFL, there is a plan to sell the two NOLA franchises when current owner Gayle Benson passes away, money that will go to different charitable causes in the city.
However, as long as she is still alive, both the Saints and the Pelicans are not for sale. This has been recognized in recent statements to the newspaper Times Picayune.
Recently a report presented by the medium The Athletic it ranked the Pelicans as the franchise most likely to move out of town in the next decade. Your current contract with the pavilion Smookie King Centre It expires in the 2024-25 season, but they have already made plans to renovate it, or perhaps build a new one.
“There is absolutely no possibility (of transfer) either in my term or with Mrs. Benson,” admitted President Dennis Lauscha. «I was born in New Orleans and here I have grown up. My heart broke when the Jazz left. The last thing I want is for one of these two teams to leave as well. That is not going to happen, “he stressed.
“No way. As long as I’m not alive, the Pelicans are not for sale, “concluded Gayle Benson.
Tom Benson bought the Pelicans for a total of $ 338 million; and currently its value would be around 135 million. The aforementioned Lauscha has commented that he constantly receives phone calls to buy the equipment, some with astronomical offers.
(Cover photo: Thomas B. Shea / Getty Images)
