Revisiting the Scandal: Saints Front Office Aided Catholic Church’s Crisis Management Amid Sexual Abuse Allegations in 2025

In 2025, a trove of leaked internal emails sent shockwaves through the media and public when it was revealed that the NFL’s New Orleans Saints played a behind-the-scenes role in helping the Catholic Church in New Orleans manage its public relations crisis related to decades-long child sexual abuse scandals. The revelations dealt a serious blow to the team’s public image and sparked outrage among survivors, lawmakers, and the wider fan base.

Documents published by the Associated Press showed that top Saints executives — including team President Dennis Lauscha and Senior Vice President of Communications Greg Bensel — worked closely with the Archdiocese of New Orleans as it prepared to release a list of clergy members accused of abuse. The emails revealed that the Saints' media team not only advised on PR strategy but also drafted interview questions for Archbishop Gregory Aymond and communicated with reporters to influence media coverage. In one particularly damning email, a Saints representative claimed to have contacted the District Attorney’s office to "remove some names from the list" — a move many interpreted as overstepping the bounds of basic PR assistance.

Although the Saints publicly denied any involvement in altering the clergy list or covering up abuse, advocacy groups and local legislators questioned the ethical integrity of the organization. Louisiana State Representative Mandie Landry called the team's actions “disgusting” and “inexcusable.” Meanwhile, survivors of abuse condemned the Saints for choosing to protect the Church’s image over supporting victims. “They should have stood for justice, not helped orchestrate a cover-up,” said one survivor during a press conference demanding an independent investigation.

The growing backlash forced the NFL to respond. Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged the Saints’ role in assisting the Church but described the organization as “great corporate citizens” with no evidence of illegal conduct. However, attorneys representing abuse victims pushed back, asserting that the emails were never sealed by the court as the Saints claimed and could be used as evidence in ongoing civil litigation.

The scandal hit especially hard in New Orleans, where the Saints are more than just a football team — they are a cultural institution and source of civic pride. The notion that the team used its influence to assist an institution accused of systemic abuse left many fans feeling betrayed. “They used their power to help silence victims instead of amplify their voices,” one advocate said.

To date, no Saints officials have faced criminal charges, but the ethical fallout is undeniable. This scandal not only exposed the dark intersection of religious and athletic power but also raised serious questions about the moral boundaries of organizations that wield vast public influence. Revisiting this case in 2025 serves as a sobering reminder: public trust cannot be manipulated without consequences.