Rita Mae LeBlanc, also known as Rita Benson LeBlanc (born January 11, 1977), is a former vice chairman of the board of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League.New Orleans Saints - Rita Benson LeBlanc at New Orleans Saints official website (accessed April 1, 2010).
Early life and education LeBlanc is the daughter of Russell LeBlanc and of Renee Benson, the daughter of the late Tom Benson, who owned the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans prior to his death.Granddaughter of Saints’ Boss Is Getting Ready to Call the Plays - New York Times Rita has a brother, Ryan LeBlanc.
Born in Houma, LouisianaFranz Lidz, "Rita's Hail Mary Pass", Portfolio, September 17, 2007. when her family lived in nearby Cut Off, she was raised on a ranch near Johnson City, Texas, where she attended Lyndon B. Johnson High SchoolMaria C. Montoya, "The Saints' heir apparent Rita Benson LeBlanc has a nose for books, a passion for her BlackBerry, and an admitted grumpy streak", Times-Picayune, July 26, 2009. before receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in agribusiness at Texas A&M University in 2001.
Career LeBlanc began interning for the Saints and in various league offices while still in high school, and went to work for the Saints after college.Tom Orsborn, "LeBlanc works her way up Saints’ ladder", San Antonio Express-News, February 6, 2010. In 2003, she took over management of the New Orleans VooDoo, the Arena Football League team also owned by Benson, and was named the indoor league's top executive. (The VooDoo ceased operations in 2008.)"Arena Football League's VooDoo folding", Associated Press in USA Today, October 13, 2008. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she began to take on a more public role and greater responsibilities in the management of the Saints.
She chairs the NFL Employee Benefits Committee, and was previously identified as Benson's intended successor as principal owner of the team.James O'Byrne, "Rita Benson LeBlanc is climbing to the top of the Saints roster with hard work, not just pedigree", Times-Picayune, July 26, 2009. LeBlanc is on the Board of Selectors of Jefferson Awards for Public Service.
In 2012, Tom Benson suspended LeBlanc from her jobs on account of her "sense of entitlement."
Lawsuit against grandfather It was announced on January 21, 2015, by then Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson that Leblanc was no longer in consideration for future ownership of either franchise. She then sued him for control of his companies, claiming he was "incompetent." Tom Benson called the lawsuit meritless and false.
Arrest Rita LeBlanc was arrested for shoving a parking enforcementhttps://www.yahoo.com/news/granddaughter-former-saints-pelicans-owner-211128380.html officer in Charleston, South Carolina. The arrest happened on Monday, June 16, 2025 when a parking enforcement officer was attempting to put a boot on her car.https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/rita-benson-leblanc-one-time-successor-to-tom-benson-is-arrested-in-south-carolina Charged with assault, resisting, hindering, opposing and interfering with an officer/city employee.https://www.fox8live.com/2025/06/19/tom-bensons-granddaughter-arrested-charleston-after-scuffle-with-parking-officer/
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