AP Source: Saints Owner Lines up to Buy Hornets A person familiar with the deal says the NBA has agreed to sell the New Orleans Hornets to Saints owner Tom Benson for $338 million. The person spoke to The Associated Press Friday on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced. The NBA has been trying to sell the Hornets since making the unprecedented move to buy the club from founder George Shinn in December 2010. While preparing the team for sale the league negotiated a new lease for the Hornets to remain in the state-owned New Orleans Arena through 2024. Benson, a New Orleans-native, has owned the Saints for nearly three decades and helped bring the franchise its first Super Bowl title. His ownership means the two small-market franchises can now partner to attract cooperate sponsorships. AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.