re: How secure are the Pelicans in NO?

Doesn't matter if they lose games as long as they don't lose money. Too difficult to get a sports franchise and look at how much they've appreciated since Benson purchased.

Why would Gayle need to sell unless there is a big downturn in the NBA/NFL and the teams start losing big money?

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gayle will never "need" to sell
there's more money there than she could ever hope to spend at her age
however the trust is a different story....if there's a 700MM profit to be made you'd best believe the pels could get sold. and they should sell if there's that kind of offer

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What trust? Any trust which holds the controlling interest would be directed by Gayle and could not alienate the team without her approval.

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And Cousins has major flaws that will hold this team back as long as he is here

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Bull shite

False Narrative

His effort and attitude has been good with the Pelicans. Additionally, the refs let him get beat up and did not call fouls fairly for him since coming to the Pelicans.

The shot selection really falls more on the coaching. He still is shooting a solid percentage regardless.

There really isn't any large warranted criticism for Cousins play as a Pelican. He was a great addition. So there is no reason to make it up like there is an issue.

He's had his pouty moments and his body language is still bad. I specifically remember a game soon after the trade vs SA where it was tied with seconds left and there he was pouring and folding his arms like a baby: he had missed a shot or committed a TO or they called a foul on him, and just like that his head was out of the game.

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The shot selection really falls more on the coaching. He still is shooting a solid percentage regardless.

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Yea he's fine when he's shooting 44% from 3 over a few games: then he'll shoot 30% for a long stretch. Not sure that is coschinh for that is how he has always played. No wonder he's gotten like 5 coaches fired

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There really isn't any large warranted criticism for Cousins play as a Pelican. He was a great addition. So there is no reason to

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Yea it was a no brainer addition. But the dude deserves any criticism until he proves he can change, which hasn't happened yet and he isn't getting younger. He's been a loser Gus whole career figuratively and literally

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i assume he means when Gayle passes. She is what, 70.

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This is just manufactured drama. Any trust set up for after Gayle will have Lauscha as Trustee. Lauscha is not moving the team. He has lived in metro NOLA his entire life. He grew up in marerro, went to Jesuit, got his MBA from Loyola, and has worked for the Bensons for 2 decades. He is the one who convinced them to buy the Hornets and arranged for the lease with no outs through 2024.

As long as the Pelicans are not losing significant money (and that is difficul to imagine in the near future), then they will remain in New Orleans.

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Monty had this team winning and playing good defense

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The revisionist history on Monty is unbelievable. They were bottom of the league in defense under Monty. Was Monty better than he was given credit for? Yes, but he still had his flaws just like Gentry and needed a roster more tailored to him.

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As long as the Pelicans are not losing significant money (and that is difficul to imagine in the near future), then they will remain in New Orlean

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If they keep losing the season ticket base will be non existent. Do you talk yo ticket holders? I know a bunch that are just about tired of waisting their money to see the Pels lose. That shite is not cheap. They may never lose money but there may be opportunity to make more of it.

As far as Lauscha, I'm sure he'd be an adviser. I don't know who is heir to Gayles possessions but I doubt he is the top decision maker she has in mind.

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i wont claim to know anything about what will happen with the specific instruments of ownership in gayle benson's will. what i do think is common sense though is that whoever the "owner" of the team is when she passes would be insane not to take a $1B deal if offered. lauscha is not the one who will enjoy that $700MM profit, and he wont have any say at all if the new owner(s) want to move

that will all be on the NBA

this is the reason that the trust set up by the jazz owners is so unique. the jazz cannot move from utah per the terms of the trust

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From what I understand of the situation, the Bensons will set up the estate to where the teams will be secure in New Orleans as part of their legacy. The "owner" of the team when Gayle passes will likely be a trust. No clue who the beneficiaries would be, but I would imagine Tom's non-3 R's family members. Lauscha will serve as proxy owner (as he basically does now) and will be on the board of trustees which will require a supermajority vote to sell the team. Not sure who else would be on the board of trustees, but there will be enough pro-NOLA votes to block a sale if the team isn't hedging money.

The trust set up by the Jazz is more about estate tax avoidance and making sure the team will be consistently funded. It does not state the Jazz cannot move from Utah as that would not be allowed by the NBA. The team can still be moved, but it would take a supermajority vote of the board members. The profits will remain with the team to provide continued operating capital in case of down times. It makes it more difficult for the team to be sold and easier for the team to stay in Utah, but it doesn't prevent a relocation

ETA - This is for the Pelicans. I don't think the NFL would allow a board of trustees as owner, so Lauscha may be the sole trustee. The intricacies of it all is beyond my knowledge, but I get the big picture stuff.