Gayle Benson Hosts Exclusive Paris Gala for Saints Ahead of Steelers Match
The Saints owner invited guests to a 19th-century Rothschild mansion in Paris for an evening of dining and entertainment before the team faced Pittsburgh.
By Sakura McCarthy ·
Gayle Benson, the principal owner of the New Orleans Saints, organized a high-profile celebration in Paris on the eve of the team's regular season game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The event, held at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild, served as a precursor to the match at the Stade de France. The invitation, which requested cocktail attire, specified that the gathering would run from 6 p.m. to midnight.
The venue, originally built in 1878 by Baroness Adèle de Rothschild, features classical Parisian architecture with gilded moldings, marble fireplaces, and crystal chandeliers. The historic mansion is described as a quiet oasis removed from the city's bustle. Guests arrived to find a carpet of flowers and a ballroom filled with Champagne, lobster rolls, and foie gras. Dancers in white and blue costumes performed on a stage set up in the large ballroom.
Among the attendees were Brandon Briscoe and soprano Sarah Jane McMahon Briscoe, who had previously sung at a private Mass. The Briscoes are associated with the restoration of St. Louis Cathedral, a project supported by Benson. Drew Marsh, chair and CEO of Entergy Corporation, and his wife Lynn Marsh also attended. The couple had recently been honored by the Alexis Tocqueville Society of the United Way Southeast Louisiana.
The evening moved through several distinct phases. Guests ascended a floral-decorated staircase to access a perfume bar where they could select Guerlain scents as souvenirs. A dessert room and an art gallery-style area allowed for photo opportunities with Benson. Later, the crowd moved to a basement level for a nightclub-style segment. The artist Mika, known for theatrical pop music in French and English, performed hit tracks that led to dancing. Consul General Rodolphe Sambou was also present at the gathering.
The New Orleans-based Solomon Group, led by co-founder and CEO Gary Solomon Jr., managed the event. The firm oversaw all of Benson's activities in Paris, including a separate reception at the Hôtel de Pontabla, the official U.S. Ambassador's residence. That mansion, rebuilt between 1836 and 1842 by Baroness Micaela Almonester de Pontalba, stands near Jackson Square in New Orleans.
The same week saw other major fundraising events in New Orleans. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana held its 2026 Excelencia Gala at the Hyatt Regency Hotel to mark the United States' 250th anniversary. The evening featured awards for Gulf Coast Bank & Trust, the Historic New Orleans Collection, and chef Ana Castro. Fox 8 anchor Lucy Bustamente served as the emcee. The menu included veal chop on tamale masa and arroz con leche crème brûlée.
The Pro Bono Project also held its annual Justice For All Ball at MISI at Jax Brewery. The event, titled Ruby on the River, celebrated 40 years of providing free civil legal services. Entergy served as the Platinum Sponsor. A silent auction featured a painting by Isabel Jacobin and a pearl necklace from Beje Jewelry. Judge Rachael Johnson and Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John Weimer were among the attendees. The Royal Essence Show Band provided the music for the evening.
