Tom Hicks, owner of the Liverpool, Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars, died Saturday. He was 79 years old.
Hicks made his fortune as a private equity investor and entered the sports business in 1995, when he purchased the Dallas Stars. After finishing last in the 1995-96 NHL season, the Stars won their division five years in a row. The team reached the playoffs every year during this period, winning the Stanley Cup in the 1998-99 season.
Advertisement
After missing the playoffs for a year, the team again made five consecutive playoff appearances, but only reached the conference finals.
In 1998, Hicks purchased the Texas Rangers from a group led by George W. Bush. The Rangers won the American League West the first two years under Hicks’ ownership, but failed to win a playoff game both years.
Under Hicks’ ownership, the team signed shortstop Alex Rodriguez to a then-record 10-year, $252 million contract. While Rodriguez continued to play well, the Rangers finished in last place in four straight seasons. Hicks eventually traded Rodriguez to the New York Yankees before the 2004 MLB season. Hicks later called the contract “one of the stupid things“he did it as an owner.
In 2007, Hicks joined George N. Gillett Jr. to become part owner of Liverpool. Hicks became a hated figure among fans after promising a new stadium and claiming no new debt would be imposed on the team.
Advertisement
The hatred towards Hicks’ ownership reached a point where Liverpool fans banded together to post a video titled “Dear Mr. Hicks” on YouTube. In the video, fans berate Hicks for his bad ownership, urging him to leave.
In January 2010, Hicks agreed to sell the Rangers. While this sale was still pending, Hicks encountered financial problems, unable to repay his loans with the Stars, which ultimately led to the team declaring bankruptcy. The Rangers were eventually sold to a group led by Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan. The Stars were sold at auction to Tom Gaglardi.
Hicks ultimately lost control of Liverpool in 2010, when the club’s board voted 3-2 to sell the team to New England Sports Ventures.
