What Does Instability in Saints Ownership Mean for Future of Franchise?

The New Orleans Saints are in a predicament due to Tom Benson's family affairs. The future of the franchise will be decided publicly amidst internal struggles and family turmoil. 

In a scene straight from a reality-television show, the 87-year-old owner's private decisions have gone public in the most dramatic way possible. 

Benson basically told his granddaughter, Rita, "You're fired." Meanwhile, the octogenarian handed his wife, Gayle, the proverbial red rose. 

The timing couldn't be worse for the Saints as the organization prepares to make hard financial decisions during the offseason. The team is left rudderless with an uncertain future and a lack of leadership from the top. 

In a stunning move, Tom Benson announced Thursday the restructuring within the eventual ownership of the New Orleans Saints and the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans, via NewOrleansSaints.com. 

"

This is something I have thought about and prayed about for a while now. Over the past 60 years, I have been fortunate enough to build a number of successful businesses not only in New Orleans but also in San Antonio.

Throughout those years, I have included my family as well as a strong management team around me to run these businesses, whether they be banks, automobile dealerships, television stations or professional sports franchises. I want to continue this model of proven success.

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 –my primary goal is to give the organization the foundation to live on after me for many, many years.

"

Gayle Benson, Tom's wife, will succeed him in death. 

Tom Benson's children and grandchildren were quick to respond to the change of the status quo. Renee Benson, who is Tom Benson's daughter, and her two children, Rita and Ryan, filed a lawsuit, per NOLA.com, to block the new succession plans. 

The lawsuit claims Gayle Benson continually isolated Tom Benson from his family, and the owner wasn't mentally or physically capable of running his business ventures, including the Saints and the Pelicans. 

"Their allegations regarding my mental health are completely meritless, and their allegations against my wife equally unfounded," Tom Benson told FOX8Live.com in an exclusive interview. "I will vigorously defend my decisions and the businesses I have built. The false accusations in this suit further support the actions I have taken in changing the succession and transfer of ownership."

Tom Benson previously unloaded in a letter written on Dec. 27 and obtained by WWLTV.com as a response to his family's crumbling relationship:  

"

During the over 80 years of my life, I have built a rather large estate which was intended to mainly be for you all as my family.

Suddenly after I remarried you all became offensive and did not act in an appropriate manner and even had arguments among yourselves which created a very unpleasant family situation which I will not stand for. It made me very unhappy and uncomfortable.

This situation cannot continue at my age.

Because of the facts set out above and the heart break you have caused me I want no further contact with any of you and you will not be allowed to enter the Saint's facilities or games, the Basketball facilities or Pelicans games, the Benson Towers, the -r facilities or the automotive facilities in New Orleans and will have no right to give directions, orders or hire or fire any of the personnel.

"

While this can be viewed as a nothing more than a billionaire's heirs squabbling over their inheritance, the Saints organization could face real change depending on the outcome of the lawsuit. 

Rita Benson LeBlanc isn't considered a beloved figure within the organization, as NOLA.com columnist Larry Holder alluded to in a tweet as news broke of the dissolving relationship between the family:  

Part of Tom Benson's reasoning behind the change in succession was explained in his original statement. 

“Continuity is very important, and this plan ensures that,” Benson said. “We have had the same management team in place that oversees both teams for a number of years. It has proven to be successful, and it works."

With the heavy emphasis on maintaining continuity, Gayle Benson seems to be the obvious successor due to Rita Benson LeBlanc's strenuous relationship with both Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Sean Payton. 

CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora tweeted that the duo of Loomis and Payton would almost certainly be looking for new jobs if Benson Leblanc were to take over the franchise upon Tom Benson's death: 

If Benson Leblanc was continually at odds with the team's current personnel, it makes complete sense that Tom Benson changed his mind and decided it was in the franchise's best interests to find another successor. 

Whereas Saints players spoke glowingly about Gayle Benson upon hearing news of the decision.

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

"I absolutely love Gayle, I think she's one of the sweetest people," quarterback Drew Brees told NOLA.com's Katherine Terrell. "I know she's one of our biggest fans. Her presence at practice with Tom...and the way she treats the wives and the players, she's first class. She's been great."

Tight end Jimmy Graham agreed, "Gayle Benson is one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met in my entire life. Every day she comes to practice and gives me a smile and a big hug. She emulates everything that Tom Benson has done with the franchise, and I'm excited for her."

Even though the franchise's most recognizable players are in favor of Gayle Benson taking over one day, it isn't up to them. It will be up to the courts to decide which party is being treated unfairly. 

The most likely outcome is Gayle Benson will eventually run the Saints. 

Mental incompetence and spousal manipulation are hard to prove in court, according to experts asked by The Times-Picayune's Andy Grimm. 

Until that is or isn't proven, the Saints' day-to-day operations will continue unchecked under the supervision of Loomis and Payton. 

Under these two men, the franchise experienced its longest tenure of sustained success. Depending on a court ruling, though, that could all come to an end. 

The uncertainty of the Saints' long-term viability is what's at stake. Tom Benson wants continuity within the franchise, which was the driving force behind his recent decision. His wishes could be blown to smithereens if a court rules against the Saints' current owner. 

That's the reality of a deteriorating situation within Saints ownership. Money and entitlement have become more important to members of Tom Benson's family than the team's future success. 

The only thing that the players, coaches and team personnel can do is wait to see how everything is eventually resolved in a court of law.

Brent Sobleski covers the NFC South for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.