The New Orleans Saints are denying a report by Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com that owner Tom Benson's personal politics are behind the team's delay in visiting the White House.

"So why haven't the Saints gone yet this year? The talk is that owner Tom Benson, a Republican, has resisted the trip due to his political leanings," Florio wrote on June 24, adding that a visit is scheduled for August.

"Whether Benson attends remains to be seen; the current thinking is that he won't", Florio wrote.

According to Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune, Saints vice president of communications Greg Bensel called the report "crap", adding that "Mr. Benson is excited for our visit to the White House".