Gayle Benson’s New Orleans Saints and Venture Global raise more than $23,000 for Louisiana coastal restoration through Catch for the Coast program (Image via Getty: Gayle Benson and Louisiana coastline)
Gayle Benson’s New Orleans Saints are proving that their impact extends far beyond the football gridiron.
“This is our goal-line stand, and we’re so grateful to partner with the Saints and Venture Global to protect our future. We’re all busy admiring the coastline and its depth, but nobody’s truly interested in making a difference. The New Orleans Saints are turning their season’s receiving yards into a Venture Global donation for Louisiana coastline restoration efforts. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
The company’s Catch for the Coast initiative has raised $23,450 based on the team’s receiving yards during the 2026 NFL season so far. Gayle Benson’s franchise has accumulated 2,345 receiving yards so far in its 2026 campaign, according to the New Orleans Saints’ community impact update. Venture Global has committed to donating $10 for every receiving yard the Saints record during the regular season, under its Catch for the Coast program. That brings the current contribution total to $23,450. The Saints highlighted this heartfelt initiative’s performance-based structure in an October 26 social media post. Venture Global is an American producer and exporter of low-cost U.S. liquefied natural gas [LNG] with over 100 MTPA of capacity in production, construction, or development. The New Orleans Saints and Venture Global built their multi-year partnership in October 2024. The Catch for the Coast initiative had already shown its commitment to Louisiana’s environmental future in 2025. In May 2025, Venture Global announced an impressive $37,300 donation to the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana [CRCL], turning the New Orleans Saints’ gridiron achievements into meaningful environmental action. The contribution was calculated using the team’s 3,730 receiving yards during the 2024 NFL season, with Venture Global pledging $10 for every yard recorded. In March 2026, Venture Global announced another impressive $47,350 charitable donation to Woodlands Conservancy to support critical coastal restoration projects in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The Saints recorded 4,735 receiving yards in the 2025 NFL season. Venture Global pledged $10 for every yard, resulting in a $47,350 donation. So, if we calculate the total contribution from 2024 to 2026, it totals over $100,000 in charitable donations from Venture Global. More than 2,000 miles of wetlands have vanished along Louisiana’s coast in less than a century.
“Venture Global has demonstrated its commitment to Louisiana through various initiatives, and we are thrilled to partner with them,” said Gayle Benson. “We look forward to partnering with the New Orleans Saints organization on new and exciting ways to foster growth and development in Louisiana in a thoughtful and responsible manner,” said Mike Sabel. “Our coast is deeply connected to the identity, culture, and future of our region,” said Gayle Benson. “Louisiana is losing a football field of coastal wetlands every 100 minutes, jeopardizing the future of our communities, our industries, and our culture, but we have science-based methods of fighting back,” said Kim Reyher, the executive director of CRCL.
Through a partnership with Venture Global, the Saints have transformed their gridiron performance into meaningful support for Louisiana’s coastline restoration. Every yard has helped turn the Saints’ offensive production into a contribution toward protecting Louisiana’s vanishing coastline. This serves as a powerful example of how professional sports can travel beyond entertainment and bring a community together to support the preservation of the environment and the state’s coast for future generations. They called the post, “For the coast. The campaign directly connects New Orleans’ gridiron offensive production to rare restoration efforts to protect Louisiana’s natural environment. Their initiative focuses on community support, workforce development, and educational initiatives throughout Louisiana. Saints owner Gayle Benson highlighted Venture Global’s existing commitment to the state and their shared commitment toward creating opportunities for future generations. “Together, we will work to uplift our communities and create opportunities for the next generation. Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel expressed enthusiasm about working with the New Orleans Saints. Sabel stressed coastal restoration efforts, free workforce training, and youth development programs as areas of collaboration with the NFL organization. “From expanding Venture Global’s Will to Skill program that provides free workforce training – which will be highlighted during this Saints season – to coastal restoration efforts and youth development programs, we are excited to work with the Saints in ensuring every member of our community has access to the tools they need to succeed. Beyond the generous fundraising figure, the donation carried a deeper purpose: supporting vital coastal restoration projects in Plaquemines Parish. Woodlands Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust organization. Its vision is to be the regional model for conserving hardwood forests and a leader in advocating for and preserving Louisiana’s coastal forest ecosystems. The Catch for the Coast initiative links every receiving yard to a meaningful environmental contribution. This ensures the Saints’ performance has a lasting impact beyond the scoreboard by helping protect the Louisiana coastline for future generations. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana [CRCL] plays a crucial role in Louisiana’s environmental conservation efforts. It was the first statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to Louisiana’s coast. The organization is known for its Oyster Shell Recycling Program, Native Plants Program, and education and professional development programs. Its sole mission is to unite people in action to build a thriving, sustainable Louisiana coast for all. The NFL’s New Orleans Saints and the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans owner Gayle Benson stressed the importance of protecting the state’s coastline and supporting long-term restoration efforts. “We are proud to partner with Venture Global on Catch for the Coast to support the important work being done by CRCL to protect and restore Louisiana’s coastline for generations to come. CRCL executive director highlighted the growing need for coastline restoration efforts in Louisiana. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
Its mission is to preserve and restore forested wetlands and other ecologically or historically significant lands in Louisiana.