NEW ORLEANS -- An NFL spokesman said Monday that the league would not likely take action against New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, who a day earlier lunged at a television news crew, grabbing a camera and wrenching it downward.
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"It appears to be nothing more than a brief, heated exchange with a member of the media that was caught on camera," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. "It's not the first time in the world of sports entertainment that something like this has occurred. It was a tough day for the Saints and their fans."
WWL-TV, a CBS affiliate in New Orleans, was videotaping Benson leaving the Saints game in Baton Rouge on Sunday after a 21-6 loss to Miami. Chris Slaughter, the station's assistant news director, said his gameday crews routinely tape Benson departing the stadium after games, win or lose.
The station has shown Benson numerous times doing his "Benson Boogie" on the field with an umbrella after games. But after Sunday's loss to the Dolphins, Benson charged the cameraman with a raised hand before being eased away by his security entourage.
"We were taking video like we've done many times of Mr. Benson leaving the game," Slaughter said. "It was run-of-the-mill taping to that point."
The video also appeared to show Benson responding angrily to a heckling fan.
The Saints referred all comments to Aiello, who said that if the TV station wanted to file a complaint they could send him a letter and a copy of the video. However, he also pointed out that WWL was taping in "what was supposed to be a secure, private area."
Slaughter said WWL was still considering its options on Monday.
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