DeMarcus Cousins let his thoughts fly when it came to talking about the New Orleans Pelicans. The four-time NBA All-Star recently sat down with HoopsHype and didn’t hold back about how the franchise is treated compared to its NFL counterpart, the New Orleans Saints. Both franchises are owned by Gayle Benson, 78, who became the de facto owner after her husband, Tom Benson, died in 2018.
DeMarcus Cousins Believes New Orleans Pelicans Were Always the Second Choice
According to Cousins, the Pelicans have always felt like “the stepkid” in the city’s sports hierarchy.
“Well, I can say from my experience, we were always the stepkid to the New Orleans Saints,” the former Pelicans power forward said. “It’s an ownership group that owns both. But New Orleans is real cool. They’re very prideful about their Saints.”
The 34-year-old Alabama native acknowledged that competing for attention with a team as beloved as the Saints has always been a challenge for the NBA franchise. Cousins also touched on the lingering belief that the Pelicans are cursed when it comes to injuries. He referenced his own Achilles tear during his time with the team and pointed out that DeJounte Murray recently suffered the same fate.
“I don’t know what it is when it comes to just staying healthy in that city. I’m not gonna even say the city — I’m gonna say that organization. It’s cursed, bro,” Cousins said. “It’s something going on that don’t make no sense.”
Cousins has moved on from the NBA, playing overseas for the Selenge Bodons in Mongolia after brief stints in Taiwan and Dubai.
Who Is Pelicans/Saints Owner Gayle Benson?
Benson is one of the most powerful figures in professional sports. She owns the Pelicans and the Saints, becoming the principal owner of these franchises in 2018 following the passing of her husband.
While her leadership has remained to the point, the Pelicans have fought for relevance in a football-dominated city, as the Saints remain a staple of Louisiana sports culture.
Born in 1947 in Algiers, New Orleans, Benson enjoyed a successful career in business before entering the sports world. She worked in interior design and real estate, overseeing the renovation of over 100 properties with her second husband, Thomas “T-Bird” Bird.
Gayle married Tom Benson in 2004 and became a key figure in his sports empire, eventually inheriting full control amid a legal battle with his estranged daughter and grandchildren. She is one of only 10 female NFL owners and among just five women controlling NBA teams.
Apart from sports, Benson is a dedicated philanthropist. She has donated millions to causes ranging from cancer research to children’s hospitals.
