NEW ORLEANS - Relatives of New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson have filed a lawsuit opposing their ouster from ownership positions on the teams.Bensons daughter, Renee, and her two children allege in Thursdays lawsuit that Tom Bensons physical and mental health are failing — asserting that he recently answered Ronald Reagan when asked to identify the current U.S. president — and hes being manipulated by his wife of 10 years.The lawsuit was filed in civil district court in Orleans Parish. It comes less than 24 hours after the 87-year-old owner announced he has rewritten his will to give wife Gayle Benson control of the Saints and Pelicans upon his death.Tom Benson also has named his wife as a current owner of the clubs while removing from ownership his daughter and her children, Rita Benson LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc.In a statement posted on the Saints website Thursday night, Benson said he is extremely disappointed by the lawsuit and adds that the allegations regarding my mental health are completely meritless and their allegations against my wife equally unfounded.He adds that he will vigorously defend his decisions and businesses.Make no mistake, I will be back in the office tomorrow morning working hard, as I do every day, to ensure that the Saints and Pelicans are positioned for long-term success, Benson said. This state, city and our great fans deserve that. I have instructed my staff to have no comment on this lawsuit moving forward.The lawsuit asks a judge to block Tom Bensons new succession plan, order Benson to be evaluated by an independent, board-certified psychiatrist, and restore the plaintiffs to their positions in Benson family businesses, which include auto dealerships and real estate holdings.Sadly, the Benson family was forced to take this action in the best interests of Tom Benson and his legacy, the customers of Benson family automobile dealerships, the employees of all of the family enterprises and the multitude of Pelicans and Saints fans, said the plaintiffs attorney, Randall Smith.In another written statement released Thursday morning, Tom Benson stated that his decision to install Gayle as an owner and oust previously designated heirs to the teams will ensure the long-term stability of the franchises in New Orleans. Benson said the move would promote continuity among top management of the organizations, led by Denis Lauscha, the president of both clubs, and Mickey Loomis, the executive vice-president of the teams and general manager of the Saints.This is based solely on doing what is right, Benson said in his statement, adding that his wifes love for New Orleans and giving back to the community she loves is unmatched.The lawsuit, however, claims that Gayle Benson has conspired with Lauscha, Loomis and a select few others to systematically isolate Tom Benson and to prevent him from his usual interaction with family, friends and advisors.The lawsuit describes the photos of family members, once prominently displayed in Tom Bensons office, being removed. It alleges that Gayle Benson monitors all of her husbands emails and phone calls and controls access to him.It further alleges that Gayle Benson has prevented her husband from attending traditional family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas.It also describes a more recent bizarre pattern of behaviour and decision-making by Tom Benson — particularly in regard to control of his assets — that are allegedly inconsistent with intentions he had clearly laid out during much of the past decade.Such instances included a Dec. 27 email in which Benson stated he never wants to see Renee, Rita or Ryan again and that he intended to ban them from the Saints and Pelicans games, as well as facilities of both teams and other New Orleans properties.Benson has been heavily medicated and has acknowledged to others that he has been having difficulty thinking, suffering from apparent memory losses, the lawsuit said, adding that his speech slurs, hes appeared disoriented in public and acknowledged he sometimes doesnt know his age, whereabouts or day of the week.The lawsuit alleges Tom Bensons diet rarely consists of nutritious meals but rather candy, ice cream, sodas and red wine.The plaintiffs also stress that Tom Bensons memory appears significantly impaired, alleging that Benson recently answered Ronald Reagan, and later, Harry Truman, when asked who was president.Tom Benson has not cited specific reasons why he has lost confidence in his daughters and grandchildrens ability to run the franchises. Benson also insinuated that they still stood to profit significantly from his more than $1 billion fortune.My family, including Renee, Rita and Ryan — just as they have been — will be very well taken care of after I die, Bensons statement said.Benson has owned the Saints since 1985 and the Pelicans since 2012. In each case, Benson was credited with securing their futures in New Orleans when they were widely seen as vulnerable to a move out of state by prospective buyers.Our football and basketball operations could not ask for a better owner in Mr. Benson, said Loomis, adding that nothing will change when Gayle Benson takes over. That stability creates an environment so that players and coaches want to come here.NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league is aware of the intent of the transaction and it is under review for the appropriate league approvals.Under NFL rules, the leagues finance committee reviews any changes in ownership structure, makes a report to all clubs, and the clubs vote. Any transfer of ownership — even 1 per cent — requires the approval of at least 24 of 32 teams.NBA spokesman Tim Frank said Tom Benson has notified the league office of his intent to transfer ownership of the team to his wife Gayle at the time of his passing. The Pelicans are anchored in the New Orleans community and with Mr. Bensons ownership have been on a path to long-term success.Greg Bensel, a spokesman for both franchises, declined comment on the lawsuit. Jonathan Holder Jersey . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. 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Fresh off the 15-day disabled list, Derrek Lee went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Jake Arrieta (7-3) gave up three runs on five hits over six innings to pick up the win. Raul Mondesi Yankees Jersey . Arsenal had already scored its goals in the third round fixture when the fierce rivalry turned ugly in the final ten minutes as Walcott was being carried off on a stretcher.The Dallas Cowboys were led by three key players in 2014; Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant. Murray led the NFL with 1845 rushing yards this season, putting him in the NFLs most valuable player conversation. Romo threw 34 touchdowns to nine interceptions with an NFL-best 113.2 quarterback rating and is also in the MVP conversation. And Bryant led the NFL in touchdowns with 16 and led the Cowboys in receiving by more than 600 yards. The three will look to be at their best as the Cowboys travel to Lambeau Field in search of their first divisional round win since their 1995 Super Bowl season. Playing the Green Bay Packers at home is as intimidating a matchup as any for NFL teams this year. The Packers were a perfect 8-0 in Titletown this season and were never held to less than 26 points – scoring 38 points or more on five occasions. However, the Cowboys have fared better on the road this season than any other team. The Cowboys went a perfect 8-0 on the road in 2014 and were also never held to less than 26 points. In fact, Romo was significantly stronger games outside of Dallas than at AT&T Stadium. The 34-year-old quarterback threw 20 touchdowns to just two interceptions on the road this season. At home, he threw 14 touchdowns to seven interceptions. Romo had a two touchdown day as the Cowboys emerged from Seattle – considered by many to be the NFLs toughest road venue - with a win over the defending champion Seahawks in Week 6. If the Cowboys can keep the game close against the Packers. it wont be Romo who has the biggest chance to shine, however, but Murray. The Packers rank 10th against the pass this season and have returned three interceptions for touchdowns at home. Green Bays rush defence, though, ranked 23rd this season and surrendered just shy of 120 yards per game. Thats good news for Dallas as the Cowboys owned a 10-2 record in games where Murray crossed the 100-yard mark this season. The Packers allowed less than 100 yards rushing four times this season and, not surprisingly, they won all four games. Green Bay has also been an improved unit since their Week 9 bye week; after allowing 145 or more rushing in four of eight games to open the season, the Packers have allowed no more than 113 since. Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers made it no secret Murray would be a focal point for Green Bays defence this week. The Packers havent faced a rusher who eclipsed 1,000 yards this season since holding LeSean McCoy to 88 yards in week 11. This will be the best test weve had, Capers told ESPN on Monday. Though the Packers pass defence has also been relatively strong thhroughout the season – three 300-yard passing games allowed – the Cowboys offence will watch one game tape particularly closely.dddddddddddd On Monday night football in Week 14, the Packers jumped out to a 31-7 lead at halftime before the Atlanta Falcons, or more specifically Julio Jones, came racing back. Jones, matched up initially on Sam Shields, burned the Packers for 259 yards and a touchdown on 11 catches. Shields was eventually benched for Davon House, who had more success until he, like Jones, left the game with an injury. The Packers then hung on to edge the Falcons 43-37. House missed the Packers final three games with a shoulder injury and is questionable for Sundays game. Its unknown whether the Packers will give Shields the first chance at Bryant in the divisional round, but the Packers will need to contain Bryant in order to significantly slow the Cowboys passing attack. Terrance Williams led the Cowboys 92 yards against the Detroit Lions in the divisional round, but its Bryant who keyed the Cowboys aerial assault throughout the season. In the middle of the field, both tight end Jason Witten and slot receiver Cole Beasley also outgained Bryant against the Lions. An impending free agent, Bryant will look for a better playoff performance to boost his value and – with the road to Super Bowl likely running through Seattle - there may be no better time to do than this week. The Cowboys unsung heroes, the offensive line, paved the way for Murrays outstanding season and Romos - mostly – healthy season coming off back surgery. Led by first-round picks in left tackle Tyron Smith, centre Travis Frederick and right guard Zach Martin, the offensive line allowed 29 sacks on Romo in 16 games this season. The unit then allowed six sacks against the Lions tough front on Sunday. The offensive line could once again have their hands full on Sunday against a defensive pass rush that includes pro bowler Clay Matthews and veteran Julius Peppers. The Packers ranked ninth in the regular season in sacks with 41. The Cowboys will receive a major boost if starting right tackle Doug Free can suit up this week after missing the previous three games with an ankle injury. Free was inactive after being listed as doubtful against the Lions. With the Packers likely to score 30 or more points – a feat they failed to accomplish just once at home this season – the Cowboys top trio will need to be at their best in Green Bay. Due to a seemingly favourable matchup and below freezing temperatures expected, the brunt of that pressure may fall Murray, just as it has so many times this season. ' ' '