National Basketball Association

Saints, Pelicans owner Tom Benson sued by family member over ousters

Published Jan. 22, 2015 1:10 a.m. ET

foxsports

Relatives of Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson have filed a lawsuit opposing their ousters from ownership positions of the two New Orleans teams.

Benson's daughter, Renee, and her two children allege in Thursday's lawsuit that Tom Benson's physical and mental health are failing and he is being manipulated by his wife of 10 years.

The lawsuit was filed in civil district court in Orleans Parish. It comes less than 24 hours after the 87-year-old owner announced he has rewritten his will to give wife Gayle Benson control of the Saints and Pelicans upon his death.

Tom Benson also has named his wife as a current owner of the clubs while removing from ownership his daughter and her children, Rita Benson LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc.