BREAKING NEWS: Drew Brees Returns to New Orleans Saints as Co-Owner in Landmark Move
NEW ORLEANS, LA – May 16, 2025
In a stunning development that has ignited excitement across the NFL and the city of New Orleans, former Saints quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees has officially returned to the franchise — this time not as a player or coach, but as a co-owner.
The announcement was made Friday morning at a press conference led by Gayle Benson, the current owner and matriarch of the Benson family,
who has guided the franchise since the passing of her husband, Tom Benson, in 2018.
“This is one of the most special days in Saints history,” said Gayle Benson. “We are thrilled to welcome Drew Brees back to our organization in a new and incredibly important role — as co-owner. This isn’t just a football decision. This is about our culture, our legacy, and our future.”
A Full-Circle Moment
Drew Brees, 46, is already considered the most iconic figure in Saints franchise history. He arrived in New Orleans in 2006 following a career-threatening shoulder injury and helped lead a revival of both the team and the city in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. His leadership, determination, and championship pedigree transformed the Saints into perennial contenders.
Now, four years after retiring from professional football, Brees has come full circle. He stood at the podium Friday, this time not in pads or cleats, but in a sharp navy-blue suit with a Saints pin on his lapel — smiling broadly and clearly emotional.
“I can’t put into words what this means to me and my family,” Brees told reporters. “New Orleans is home. The Saints are family. And this opportunity to help shape the future of this franchise — to give back to the city that gave me everything — it’s one of the greatest honors of my life.”
Inside the Deal
Details of the ownership structure have not been made public, but sources close to the organization confirmed that Brees has acquired a minority stake in the team. The move does not change Gayle Benson’s status as the principal owner, but insiders say Brees will have a significant role in major football and business decisions going forward.
“This is not a symbolic gesture,” one team executive said. “Drew will be deeply involved. From player development to community engagement to strategic vision — he’s all in.”
Brees has already had success in the business world since retirement, investing in franchises such as Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, Stretch Zone, and various real estate ventures. His transition into NFL ownership marks a new chapter not only for him,
but for the league as a whole, as he becomes one of a very small number of former players to hold an ownership position in a team they once played for.
Reaction Across the NFL
The news sent shockwaves through the NFL community, with fans, players, and analysts flooding social media with praise and excitement.
Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan, one of Brees’s longtime teammates, posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“LETS GO!!!! The 🐐 is back in black and gold! Congrats, Drew!!! #SaintsFamily”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also released a statement:
“Drew Brees has long been a leader both on and off the field. His return to the Saints as a co-owner represents a powerful example of player legacy evolving into franchise leadership. This is a great day for the NFL.”
What’s Next?
While Brees has not detailed his exact day-to-day role, he hinted at being hands-on, particularly in mentoring players, enhancing the organization’s culture, and expanding its philanthropic footprint in Louisiana and beyond.
“I want to help shape leaders, on and off the field,” he said. “I want to make sure the Saints remain a championship-caliber franchise for decades to come — not just in wins and losses, but in how we serve our community and represent this great city.”
As the Saints prepare for the 2025 season under head coach Dennis Allen and second-year quarterback Malik Jefferson, Brees’s presence could provide a stabilizing and inspiring influence. He said he plans to be in the building often — in meetings, in the locker room, and yes, possibly even in the film room.
A Legendary Return
Drew Brees’s return to the New Orleans Saints as co-owner marks a rare and emotional milestone in sports — a beloved superstar coming home not for a ceremony, but to lead. For a city that once rebuilt around him, and for a franchise he helped lift to the mountaintop, the story has come full circle.
And perhaps, a new era has just begun.
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