New Orleans Saints and Pelicans Announce New Partnerships Leadership Team

In a LinkedIn post signaling a major push to grow corporate revenue, Erica Bernadas announced that the partnerships leadership team for the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans is expanding, introducing four directors who will shape the commercial future of both franchises.

The announcement, which Bernadas described as building “the next chapter” for the Saints and Pelicans, comes on the heels of the organization’s recent participation in a league-wide summit in Nashville. As detailed in additional reporting on me.sh, the CP Krewe—the Saints’ internal partnerships team—traveled to Tennessee last week for a Club-Led Activation Summit hosted with the Tennessee Titans, where they shared best practices with other NFL partnerships teams and focused on developing the next generation of industry leaders.

Veterans Lead Marketing and Saints Commercial Strategy

Taylor Johnson, a ten-year veteran of the organization, steps into the role of Director of Partnership Marketing, where he will lead the partnerships marketing team with an emphasis on proactive service and execution. Bernadas highlighted Johnson’s deep relationships across the partner family, noting his focus on helping partners grow alongside the teams.

Victoria Weber, recently promoted after seven years with the organization to Director of Global Partnership Sales, will co-lead new partnership development while driving the Saints’ commercial strategy. Her responsibilities span international growth and emerging categories, positioning the Black & Gold to expand beyond traditional regional sponsorships into new markets.

New Voices Drive Pelicans Growth and Innovation

Rob Louthain joins as Director of Global Partnership Sales after departing Fighting Illini Sports Properties, bringing thirty years of industry experience to the Pelicans’ commercial efforts. Louthain will co-lead new partnership development and oversee the Pelicans’ commercial strategy, including high-stakes assets such as arena naming rights, jersey patch sponsorships, and international opportunities that could redefine the franchise’s brand presence.

Hunter Dalton completes the leadership quartet as Director of Partnership Strategy & Innovation, arriving from Topgolf with thirteen years of experience in brand partnerships. Dalton’s mandate centers on connecting brands with teams, fans, and the broader community, transforming ambitious ideas into partnerships with clear business purposes that resonate with New Orleans’ unique culture.

From Nashville to New Orleans: A League-Wide Perspective

The leadership expansion follows the CP Krewe’s recent trip to Nashville, where team members including Johnson, Weber, McKell Favrot McLaughlin, Desiree’ Chambers, Ashley Livaccari, and others joined counterparts from across the NFL for the Club-Led Activation Summit. According to me.sh, the event with the Tennessee Titans provided a forum for sharing best practices, with Bernadas noting that “there are many positive things on the horizon around the league.” The summit also emphasized mentorship, as Bernadas reflected on interactions with young professionals like Kenya Cason, Nathan Razo, and Luis Barajas, calling the future of the sports business “BRIGHT.”

Who Bears the Stakes

When Louthain pursues arena naming rights or Weber targets international markets, they are driving their respective franchises’ commercial strategies. The Saints and Pelicans now have distinct leadership for each franchise’s commercial strategy, with Weber driving the Saints and Louthain driving the Pelicans.

Johnson has deep relationships across the partner family from her ten years with the organization, while Weber has seven years with the organization.

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