Saints President Will Take Same Role With The Hornets

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Hornets President Hugh Weber is leaving the NBA club as new owner Tom Benson appoints top Saints executives Dennis Lauscha and Mickey Loomis to oversee both teams.The change, made official on Monday afternoon, puts Lauscha in charge of both clubs' business operations. Loomis, the Saints general manager, will also head up the Hornets' basketball operations and oversee Hornets GM Dell Demps.

Weber joined the Hornets after Hurricane Katrina, while the club was displaced to Oklahoma City from 2005-2007. The NBA retained Weber after buying the Hornets from George Shinn in December 2010.

Benson, who owns the Saints and closed on his purchase of the Hornets last week, says changes under new ownership are common and that Weber should be commended for helping lead the Hornets' transition to local ownership.