Judge Rules Saints & Pelicans Owner Tom Benson Competent

The Benson family hearing on whether Saints, Pelicans owner Tom Benson was competent to run his business empire has come to an end...for now.

Nearly six months ago, Benson placed his third wife, Gayle, as first in line to inherit his NFL and NBA teams instead of his recently disowned heirs who were groomed for takeover.

Benson's daughter, Renee, and her two children, Rita and Ryan LeBlanc, sued in January that Benson was mentally unsound, and being manipulated by Gayle when he changed his succession plan.

Benson has stated through lawyers that his heirs have failed to prove themselves worthy of taking over his businesses.

The judge ordered a mental evaluation by three psychiatrists. Each side would choose one psychiatrist, and the third would be chosen by the first two, so as to be more neutral.

Judge Reese's ruling could be appealed.

[Source]