Gayle Benson donates $250,000 for Bourbon Street memorial, talks Saints’ future abroad

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson presented a $250,000 donation Tuesday morning (Nov. 3) to help build a permanent memorial honoring victims of the 2025 New Year’s Day Bourbon Street terror attack.

The check was presented to The Fourteens Foundation at the United Way Resiliency Center. The funds will go toward creating a dedicated space to remember those who lost their lives and provide support for surviving families.

“I feel like I’m with them. I’m praying for them,” Benson said. “It was a horrible thing. We’re going to support them.”

The United Way of Southeast Louisiana Resiliency Center is a permanent hub dedicated to disaster preparedness, response and recovery across Southeast Louisiana.

Benson also reflected on the Saints’ recent international trip to France, where New Orleans fell 16-10 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL’s historic game in Paris.

Following the team’s struggles on the ground in Paris, head coach Kellen Moore dismissed offensive run coordinator T.J. Paganetti.

While Benson did not directly comment on the staff shakeup, she voiced support for the team.

“I feel like they’re trying really hard, and I know the players are trying the best they can,” Benson said. “At the end of the season, we’ll look at things and see what we need to change, but right now I think they’re going to be OK. They’re going to try the best they can, and that’s really all they can do.”

Benson added she plans for the Saints to eventually return to Paris and expressed interest in potentially playing in Milan, Italy. However, she said any future international games remain at the NFL’s discretion.

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