NFL: No issue with Loomis' overlap with Hornets

By BRETT MARTEL

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Saints general manager Mickey Loomis will be able to meet regularly during his eight-game suspension with club owner Tom Benson and team president Dennis Lauscha, thanks to Benson's recent acquisition of the NBA's Hornets.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says the league would not seek to prohibit Loomis from meeting with Saints officials who have roles with both teams, but would expect that when they meet, Loomis does not perform any Saints duties.

Benson, who closed on his purchase of the Hornets last week, chose Loomis, who remains the Saints' GM, as director of Hornets basketball operations. He also appointed Lauscha president of both clubs on Monday.

In March, the NFL suspended Loomis for the first half of the 2012 regular season in connection with the league's bounty investigation.

Updated June 19, 2012