Saints owner's purchase of WVUE approved

[PelicanGuy 117]

Posted by The Times-Picayune July 18, 2008 2:16PM

 

After two months, the Federal Communications Commission has approved Tom Benson and his Louisiana Media Company to officially take ownership of WVUE-TV, which is Fox 8, it was announced today.

 

Ted Jackson/The Times-Picayune

 

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson's acquisition of WVUE-TV became official today.

 

The television station, according to a statement released by the Saints, will be an independent entity from Benson's other businesses.

 

"This is a proud day for me, and a good day for the city of New Orleans," Benson said. "It's important to keep major employers in this city owned by local people - I believe that is a key factor in rebuilding our area. And WVUE will be a completely independent entity from my other businesses. We have a very good management team there, and they will operate independently as such with no pressure or agenda placed upon them."

 

With the purchase now completed and swiftly approved by the FCC, WVUE becomes the only locally-owned television news station in the market. A New Orleans native, Benson also owns sports franchises, banks, real estate holdings and automobile dealerships in the region.