Owner Gayle Benson hates that the New Orleans Pelicans are perceived as being a short changed franchise. She has been increasing her level of engagement in the basketball community and knew she needed a more accountable basketball front office operation in New Orleans. Facing a franchise altering decision, David Griffin was chosen to lead the new era of New Orleans hoops.
The New Orleans Pelicans are at a franchise crossroads. There were parallel problems over near Poydras Street. The Pelicans’ front office was in shambles and had a pending trade demand from Anthony Davis to figure out.
To solve the front office issue, Benson finally split the baby because she realized she had twin sporting behemoths on her hands, not one big sporting entity with two teams.