NFL Leadership Questioned Over Saints-Church Communications Ahead of Super Bowl LIX
Sexual abuse survivor groups demand the National Football League investigate the New Orleans Saints for using team resources to assist the local Catholic archdiocese with media coverage of clergy abuse cases. Communications obtained by The Guardian and partner media outlets reveal that Saints executives used official NFL servers to manage church messaging. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the team during a February 3 Super Bowl press briefing despite the organization’s attempts to keep the emails private.
5 Key Points
- Emails show Saints executives used NFL servers to assist the archdiocese in managing abuse coverage.
- Law enforcement filed statements documenting decades of church cover-ups in April 2024.
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the Saints during Super Bowl week press briefing.
- Three survivor advocacy groups demand an independent investigation of the team’s involvement.
- Saints owner Gayle Benson’s dual ownership of the Saints and Pelicans draws the NBA into controversy.
Timeline of Key Events
2024
- April: Law enforcement files sworn statement in New Orleans criminal courthouse regarding church cover-ups
- December: Saints organization begins legal battle to keep emails private
2025
- February 3: Guardian, WWL Louisiana, AP, and NYT jointly report Saints-archdiocese communications
- February 3: NFL Commissioner Goodell holds press briefing defending Saints
- February 8: Sexual abuse survivor groups issue formal statements demanding investigation
- February 9: Scheduled Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans
Inside the Saints-Church Communications
The Guardian, WWL Louisiana, Associated Press, and New York Times uncovered emails between Saints executives and the New Orleans archdiocese. These communications were sent through official team servers with NFL branding and detailed collaboration beyond previously disclosed levels. The Saints fought court battles to block public access to these messages, which connect to a joint state-federal child sex-trafficking investigation focused on decades of alleged clerical abuse cover-ups by the archdiocese.
Survivor Groups Challenge NFL Leadership
Three major advocacy organizations criticized the NFL’s response:
SNAP (Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests) called out the contradiction between NFL values and team actions: “The New Orleans Saints used their vast resources to support an organization that is accused of covering up sexual assault on innocent boys and girls.”
TentMakers of Louisiana Executive Director Letitia Peyton emphasized institutional responsibility: “The New Orleans Saints, the Catholic church, and every institution wielding influence over our communities must do more than protect their own reputations. Prioritizing PR over survivors perpetuates harm.”
Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (SCSA) founder Richard Windmann rejected Goodell’s defense as “frivolous” and “avoiding the true issue,” stating, “If the NFL has policies towards sex abuse as they advertise publicly, we have not seen any action on them.”
NFL Commissioner Takes Super Bowl Spotlight
At a February 3 press briefing, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised Saints owner Gayle Benson and team executives as “great corporate citizens.” Goodell stated: “I’m confident that they are playing nothing more than a supportive role to help be more transparent in circumstances like this.”
The NBA, whose New Orleans Pelicans franchise shares ownership with the Saints under Benson, has not addressed multiple requests for comment about their logo’s appearance in the communications.
How Sports, Faith, and Public Trust Intersect in Saints Scandal
The controversy creates overlapping institutional challenges:
Joint Investigation Scope:
- State and federal authorities maintain an active child sex-trafficking investigation centered on the archdiocese
- Law enforcement documentation details systematic cover-ups spanning decades
- Investigation encompasses institutional responses and potential enablement
Policy Conflicts:
- NFL website explicitly commits to “addressing and preventing domestic violence and sexual assault.”
- Saints’ actions potentially contradict the league’s stated prevention goals
- Questions arise about the enforcement of NFL conduct policies
Corporate Responsibility:
- Saints used official NFL servers and branding in church communications
- The team fought legal battles to prevent email disclosure
- NBA faces scrutiny over Pelicans’ shared ownership structure
- Both organizations maintain silence on logo usage in church correspondence
Media Relations Impact:
- Saints and archdiocese defend correspondence as “well-intended public relations help.”
- Multiple national media outlets obtained controversial communications
- The timing coincided with New Orleans’ Super Bowl LIX preparations
- Survivor groups leverage media attention to demand accountability
FAQ
Q: What are my legal options if I experienced sexual abuse by a clergy member?
A: If a clergy member sexually abused you, you may have the right to take legal action. Contact our legal experts to learn about your rights and start a free, confidential case review.
Q: What specific actions did the Saints take to help the archdiocese?
A: The Saints used their NFL servers and team resources to assist the archdiocese in managing media coverage of the abuse scandal. However, specific strategies remain partially undisclosed due to ongoing legal battles.
Q: What connects the Saints to the Catholic Church?
A: Saints owner Gayle Benson maintains close ties to the New Orleans archdiocese as a devout Catholic, leading to the organization’s involvement in church media relations.
Q: Why do survivor groups want an NFL investigation?
A: They cite contradictions between the NFL’s stated commitment to preventing sexual assault and the Saints’ actions supporting an institution accused of covering up abuse.
Q: How has the NFL addressed these demands?
A: Commissioner Goodell has defended the Saints as “great corporate citizens” and characterized their role as supporting transparency without committing to an investigation.
Citations
Vargas, Ramon Antonio (February 8, 2025). Sexual abuse survivors grill NFL amid New Orleans Saints church scandal. The Guardian. https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2025/02/sexual-abuse-survivors-grill-nfl-amid-new-orleans-saints-church-scandal/
