Saints owner Tom Benson to transfer ownership to wife when he dies

New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans owner Tom Benson revealed Wednesday he will transfer ownership of his pro sports franchises to his wife, Gayle, upon his death.

Benson was widely expected to transfer ownership to his granddaughter, Rita Benson LeBlanc. 

According to Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Benson's granddaughter's office at the Saints' and Pelicans' headquarters has been vacated, and her team-issued Mercedes-Benz and cell phone returned. 

"This is about the legacy of these two teams and everything we have done for the good of the city of New Orleans and our region," Benson said in a statement. "My primary goal is to give the organization the foundation to live on after me for many, many years.

"I agree that this is somewhat of a change in what has been formally declared, but this is best for our teams and our community."