The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation hosted the Super Bowl Edition of its annual Honors Luncheon, presented by Hancock Whitney and New Orleans & Company, on the turf of Caesars Superdome as the Host Committee and NFL gear up for Super Bowl LIX. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell paid tribute to the legacy of Tom Benson and honored Gayle Benson for their service to New Orleans and leadership as longtime owners of the Saints and Pelicans, helping to induct them into the Sports Foundation Hall of Fame. The Bensons have worked closely with the Sports Foundation to bid upon, manage and promote the last four Super Bowls, four NCAA Men’s Final Fours, three NBA All-Star Games, two WrestleManias, and several other major sporting events.
“I am humbled to accept our induction into the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Hall of Fame. The New Orleans Saints and Pelicans have had a profound impact on my life and the lives of our entire community,” said Benson, Owner and Governor of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. “As I look back on our time leading these organizations, the unwavering passion of our community and the fans have been truly inspiring. This honor reflects the tremendous support from the city of New Orleans, the State of Louisiana and the entire Gulf South region.”
During the induction, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke enthusiastically about the Super Bowl’s return to the Crescent City in just three short months on February 9, 2025. “I’m honored to be here for this very special Hall of Fame induction, recognizing two trailblazing individuals who are not only important to the Saints and New Orleans community – but to the NFL as a whole,” said Goodell. “The NFL’s return to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX was made possible by Gayle’s vision and action—as we celebrate a city embarking on a new era of economic growth. It’s also a tribute to her partnership with Tom. The New Orleans football family stands on their shoulders.”
To underscore the national importance of the big game, the Honors Luncheon included a panel, moderated by Sports Foundation and Super Bowl LIX Host Committee President & CEO Jay Cicero, that included former NFL Special Events Vice Presidents Jim Steeg and Frank Supovitz; and current NFL Executive Vice President, Club Business, International & League Events Peter O’Reilly. The panelists joined together on stage for the first time and discussed the storied history of the Super Bowl in New Orleans, sharing legendary moments and insights from their impressive tenures and what people can expect from Super Bowl LIX.
As part of the conversation, O’Reilly detailed the surrounding fan-favorite Super Bowl events leading up to game day such as Opening Night, Super Bowl Experience, the first-ever Super Bowl Host Committee Parade, and many more. Along with the enthralling lineup of events, the Honors Luncheon highlighted the incredible work being done by the NFL, New Orleans Saints, the Sports Foundation and the entire Host Committee—including preparations for the first-ever Super Bowl Host Committee Parade— in anticipation of hosting the record-tying 11th Super Bowl and exemplifying their motto – “it’s what we do.”
"Hosting the Super Bowl is no small task—it takes great partnerships, collaboration, experience and an unwavering dedication to service to successfully host an event of this magnitude,” said Jay Cicero, Sports Foundation and Super Bowl LIX Host Committee President and CEO. “It’s what we do. Together with Mrs. Benson, the Saints Staff, the NFL, Host Committee Founding Partners Entergy and Chevron, Ochsner and other supporters, we are working hard to host one of the best Super Bowls the country has seen.”
As part of the NFL’s and New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee’s promise to give back to the Greater New Orleans community ahead of the big game, one worthy individual was surprised with a pair of tickets to Super Bowl LIX. Brice Brown has taken on a mentorship role to guide the youth of New Orleans’ underserved neighborhoods into positive, enriching activities. He has been recognized for his unwavering efforts in keeping at-risk youth focused on school and out of trouble. Brown's dedication to these teens’ wellbeing is consistently proven successful in the classroom, on the football field and in the number of college scholarships offered each year. His work has inspired a 2023 Hulu mini-series titled “Algiers, America: The Relentless Pursuit.”
Aside from the upcoming Super Bowl LIX, the culmination of the 2024 Honors Luncheon celebrated the Sports Foundation’s hosting success of some of the largest sporting events in the world including three prior Super Bowls, four NCAA Men’s Final Fours, three NCAA Women’s Final Fours, three NBA All-star Games and two WrestleManias with more large-scale events being planned for years to come. The rich history of events orchestrated by the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation benefits the city and state, generating billions in economic impact and has cemented Louisiana and New Orleans as a unique, premier destination for major sports events.
Super Bowl LIX will kick off at approximately 5:30 p.m. CST on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome. Learn more about the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee and how you can be involved at nolasuperbowl.com. Follow along for events hosted and being planned by the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation at gnosports.com or by following on Facebook, Instagram and X.