In an unexpected twist that’s blurring the lines between two major American sports leagues, New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore was reportedly “stunned and visibly confused” upon hearing a harshly worded critique issued by former Saints head coach Sean Payton — not about football, but about the NBA.
Sources close to the Saints’ training facility say Moore was in the middle of a team strategy meeting when a staff member showed him an explosive interview clip featuring Payton criticizing the New Orleans Pelicans — the city’s NBA team.
> “The culture in that building is soft,” Payton said in the clip, referring to the Pelicans’ front office. “You can’t win championships in any sport — football, basketball, checkers — if you don’t demand accountability at the top.
Kellen Moore, new to the city’s dual-sport spotlight, was allegedly taken aback.
> “Wait… Sean’s going after the Pelicans now?” Moore reportedly asked, before pausing and adding: “I thought we were still talking football.”
Insiders say Moore, known for his calm and analytical demeanor, laughed off the comment but later told reporters, “I have enormous respect for Coach Payton, but I’ll stay in my lane. If there’s a basketball war brewing, I want no part of it.”
Meanwhile, the Pelicans organization has not responded publicly to Payton’s comments, though players were seen joking about it during shootaround. One assistant coach reportedly quipped, “Guess we’re running Oklahoma drills now.”
The odd moment highlights the unique sports ecosystem of New Orleans, where football legends and basketball dynamos often share the same headlines — and sometimes, the same critics.
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