Tom Hicks, the Texas businessman who owned Stars, Rangers and Liverpool teams, dies at 79
DALLAS (AP) – Tom Hicks, a Texas businessman and philanthropist who owned two professional sports franchises and an English Premier League soccer team in the Dallas area, died Saturday. He was 79 years old.
Hicks died peacefully in Dallas surrounded by his family, spokeswoman Lisa LeMaster said in a statement.
Hicks owned the NHL’s Dallas Stars from 1995-2011 and won the Stanley Cup in 1999. He also owned the Texas Rangers baseball team from 1998-2010, leading them to three American West Division titles and a World Series appearance. In 2007, he bought 50% shares of Liverpool.
“Being shoulder to shoulder with him was always about more than just ballparks and stadiums,” Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. “It was about personal respect, trust and friendship. We shared many miles together and I will miss him dearly. My heart goes out to his family.”
Hicks co-founded Hicks & Haas in 1984 and helped reshape private equity and investment strategy. He served on the University of Texas Board of Trustees from 1994 to 1999.
Texas businessman Ross Perot Jr. “Tom Hicks was an innovative businessman and pioneer in private equity,” he said in a statement. “He combined his commitment to business and sports with his ownership of the Stars and Rangers.”
Hicks is survived by his wife of 35 years, Cinda Cree Hicks, and their six children (Thomas Ollis Hicks Jr., Mack Hardin Hicks, John Alexander Hicks, Robert Bradley Hicks, William Cree Hicks and Catherine Forgrave Hicks).
Their children made a joint statement and said:
“Of all the things he accomplished in his extraordinary life, Tom Hicks’ most cherished title was ‘Dad.’ Despite the challenges and challenges he faced in life, he never lost his generosity and love for his family. He remains a guiding force for our family, and we are honored to continue to expand his legacy. Although we are devastated by this loss, we are deeply grateful to be his children.”
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