Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation to Induct Gayle and Tom Benson into Hall of Fame

Honors luncheon leading up to Super Bowl LIX

NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation is proud to announce its annual Honors Luncheon, presented by Hancock Whitney and New Orleans & Company, will be held on Thursday, Sept. 12, on the turf of the Caesars Superdome. The Super Bowl centric version of the Honors Luncheon will pay tribute to the enduring legacy and leadership of Gayle Benson and her late husband, Tom Benson, update preparations for Super Bowl LIX, and feature the rich history of hosting Super Bowls in New Orleans.

As part of the annual celebration, the Bensons, longtime Saints and Pelicans owners and philanthropists, will be inducted into the Sports Foundation Hall of Fame. The Bensons have worked closely with the Sports Foundation to bid upon, manage and promote four Super Bowls, four NCAA Men’s Final Fours, three NBA All-Star Games, and several other major sporting events.

“As I humbly accept the honor of being inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Hall of Fame along with Tom, I am reminded of the profound impacts the Sports Foundation and the New Orleans Saints have had on this city,” said Gayle Benson, owner and governor of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. “As we look ahead to Super Bowl LIX, I am delighted to continue our important work with Jay, Marcus and all of the city’s leaders to ensure the Super Bowl will be our greatest achievement yet.”

As the Sports Foundation reflects on New Orleans’ storied history of hosting 10 previous Super Bowls, they are excited to highlight the outstanding work being done in anticipation of the record-tying 11th Super Bowl in February 2025, showcasing the city’s commitment to excellence in sports and hospitality and exemplifying the Super Bowl LIX Host Committee’s motto – “it’s what we do.”

Attendees will gain valuable insights from New Orleans Super Bowl LIX Host Committee Chair and Entergy Executive Vice President and Legal Counsel, Marcus Brown. Brown will share preparations already underway for Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, which includes information on community and sponsor initiatives.

“The Honors Luncheon brings together and celebrates those who have been the most impactful in hosting and executing some of the world’s largest events,” said Marcus Brown, Super Bowl LIX Host committee chair and executive vice president and general counsel at Entergy. “It is my pleasure to serve on the Host Committee and work so closely with Mrs. Benson, the Sports Foundation, and the NFL on what is sure to be a spectacular event.”  

The Honors Luncheon will bring together veterans from the NFL’s prior and current senior event management team for an engaging panel discussion centered around the history of Super Bowl in New Orleans as well as what to expect for Super Bowl LIX. Former NFL Special Events Vice Presidents Jim Steeg and Frank Supovitz, join current NFL Executive Vice President, Club Business and International & League Events, Peter O’Reilly and Sports Foundation and Super Bowl LIX Host Committee President & CEO Jay Cicero on stage together for the first time to share legendary moments, stories and insights from their experiences orchestrating Super Bowls in New Orleans. This discussion promises to shed light on what makes hosting a Super Bowl in New Orleans truly special, exploring the city’s unique qualities and why it continues to stand out as a premier destination for one of the biggest events in sports.

“It’s no secret we’re thrilled to welcome Super Bowl LIX to New Orleans, highlighting our city’s dedication to hosting world-class sporting events. The inclusion of Peter, Frank and Jim in our panel will bring together over four decades of leadership and expertise in NFL event execution and offer insight into the next six months,” said Jay Cicero, Sports Foundation president and CEO and Super Bowl LIX executive director. “Embracing the legacy and the hard work that’s brought us our 11th Super Bowl, we are also proud to honor Mr. and Mrs. Benson for their outstanding contributions to the Super Bowl and other major events in New Orleans, leaving an indelible mark on our city and the sports world.”

The Sports Foundation has hosted some of the largest sporting events in the world, from Super Bowls and WrestleManias to NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Fours to NBA All‐Star Games, showcasing New Orleans’ versatility and expertise in bidding upon and managing large-scale sporting events for the economic benefit to Louisiana and the Greater New Orleans Area. The rich history of events orchestrated by the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation benefits the city and state, generating billions in economic impact and has elevated Louisiana and New Orleans as a unique and memorable destination for major sports events.

Tables for the Honors Luncheon are available at www.honorsluncheon.com.  Learn more about the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation’s mission at www.gnosports.com.

Get Our Email Newsletters

The best in New Orleans dining, shopping, events and more delivered to your inbox.

Digital Sponsors

Become a MyNewOrleans.com sponsor ...

Give the gift of a subscription ... exclusive 50% off

Limited time offer. New subscribers only.

Give the Gift!

Save 50% on all our publications for an exclusive holiday special!

Limited time offer. New subscribers only.