The New Orleans Saints aren't currently in the market for a new owner. If Gayle Benson is ready to part ways with the franchise though, it won't take long for a suitor to emerge.
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has flirted with the idea of owning an NFL team. In 2023, he was mentioned as a potential bidder for the Washington Commanders. Earlier this week, he told Chandler France of Houston Business Journal that he's interested in purchasing the Saints.
"I've always loved the New Orleans Saints, but [Benson] won't sell them right now," Fertitta said.
Fertitta clarified that he hasn't sent an official offer to Benson. However, he told her of his interest in the team "if she chooses to sell it sooner."
According to Houston Business Journal's report, Fertitta bid $4.4 billion for the Commanders. Suffice to say, he'd be willing to spend on the Saints. Whether or not his presence would hurt the franchise's chances of relocating is unknown.
Fertitta purchased the Rockets in 2017 for $2.2 billion. If he adds an NFL franchise to his portfolio, that'd be quite the power move. However, don't expect him to bid record-breaking money just for the sake of doing so.
"I own a franchise, so I love them selling for a lot, but at some point, I don't think $6 billion is the right number," Fertitta said in regards to the sale of the Commanders. "Everybody that's watched me do business for the last 40 years knows when I draw a line in the sand, I'm done. So, I'm here. You know I can close, and that's the way it is."
Only time will tell if Gayle Benson, who has been the owner of the Saints since 2018, will listen to Fertitta's calls.
