Quick Read
- Tom Hicks, former owner of Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, and Liverpool FC, died at age 79 in Dallas.
- Under Hicks’s ownership, the Stars won the 1999 Stanley Cup and the Rangers reached the World Series in 2010.
- He pioneered major private equity deals, including the Dr Pepper/7UP merger, and helped establish UTIMCO, the largest public university endowment in the US.
- Hicks was known for philanthropy in Dallas, supporting sports, infrastructure, and education.
- Family members remember him most fondly as a devoted father and grandfather.
Tom Hicks: The Maverick Who Changed Dallas Sports and Finance
Tom Hicks, who passed away peacefully in Dallas at the age of 79, leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond the scoreboard or the boardroom. For decades, Hicks was a central figure in the city’s sports, business, and philanthropic communities, reshaping the landscape through bold decisions, unwavering vision, and a commitment to those closest to him.
Championships and Controversies: A Sports Owner’s Journey
Hicks’s name is forever etched in Dallas sports history. Taking the reins of the NHL’s Dallas Stars in 1995, he steered the team to unprecedented heights—multiple division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, and the crowning achievement: the 1999 Stanley Cup. His leadership didn’t just bring trophies; it helped nurture the sport’s grassroots growth in North Texas. The creation of StarCenter facilities and his pivotal role in the development of the American Airlines Center laid the foundation for future generations of hockey fans and players (NHL.com).
Simultaneously, Hicks took charge of the Texas Rangers in 1998. Under his watch, the Rangers clinched three American League West Division titles and made their first World Series appearance in 2010. Hicks’s eye for talent and leadership was evident in his hiring of General Manager Jon Daniels, manager Ron Washington, and President Nolan Ryan—moves that set the stage for the franchise’s competitive resurgence (WFAA).
Yet, not all of Hicks’s sports ventures were met with applause. His 2007 acquisition of a 50% stake in Liverpool FC, alongside George Gillett, marked a turbulent chapter in English football. Questions over financial stewardship and unpopular decisions led to fan unrest and, ultimately, the forced sale of the club to Fenway Sports Group in 2010. Still, Liverpool paid tribute to Hicks’s passing, acknowledging his place in the club’s complex history (The Guardian).
Financial Innovation: Building Empires Beyond the Field
Hicks’s influence extended far beyond stadium walls. As co-founder of Hicks & Haas in 1984, he executed landmark deals such as the Dr Pepper/7UP merger. His later venture, Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst, became one of the largest private equity platforms of its era, pioneering strategies like the leveraged buyout and the “buy and build” approach that revolutionized the industry. Richard Fisher, a longtime friend and business peer, described Hicks as “a legend in finance who perfected the leveraged buyout” and measured his greatness by his loyalty to friends and family.
His tenure as a University of Texas regent from 1994 to 1999 was equally impactful. Hicks helped establish UTIMCO, now the largest public university endowment in the United States. He considered this “one of the most meaningful contributions in his professional life,” reflecting a vision that stretched beyond profit to public good.
Civic and Philanthropic Impact: Dallas Beyond Dollars
Hicks’s imprint on Dallas is visible in landmarks and initiatives that outlast any single season. He played a key role in the planning and development of the American Airlines Center, contributed significantly to the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, and supported education across North Texas. His donation of land for Tom Hicks Elementary in Lewisville ISD is just one example of his commitment to community growth. As Ross Perot Jr. noted, Hicks “combined his commitment to business and sports through his ownership of the Stars and the Rangers.”
Beyond business and sports, Hicks served as a paratrooper in the Army Reserves and as Commissioner of the American Battle Monuments Commission, underscoring his dedication to service and remembrance.
Family First: The Heartbeat of Hicks’s Life
For all his professional achievements, those closest to Hicks insist his proudest role was that of father and grandfather. Survived by his wife of 35 years, Cinda Cree Hicks, six children, and fourteen grandchildren, Hicks’s family described him as “constant in his generosity and love.” In their joint statement, they said, “No matter the trials and tribulations he faced in life, he was constant in his generosity and love for his family. He remains a guiding force for our family, and we are deeply honored to continue expanding his legacy.”
Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys and a longtime friend, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Being shoulder to shoulder with him was always about more than ballparks and stadiums, though. It was about personal respect, trust and friendship.”
Reflecting on a Legacy: What Endures?
Tom Hicks’s life is a study in contrasts: soaring triumphs and tough setbacks, business acumen and civic generosity, public leadership and private devotion. In Dallas, his legacy lives in the echo of championship celebrations, the skyline’s silhouette, and in the lives of those his philanthropy touched. As the city mourns the passing of a true icon, one question remains—how will the next generation build upon the foundation Hicks laid? The answer, perhaps, lies not just in financial records or trophy cases, but in the character and community spirit he modeled for all who knew him.
Tom Hicks’s journey reminds us that legacies are rarely simple—they’re built on ambition, resilience, and a willingness to take risks. His impact on Dallas and the broader sports and finance world endures not only in tangible achievements, but in the values he championed. For those seeking to understand what it means to lead, Hicks’s life is both a lesson and a challenge: to dream big, act boldly, and remain steadfast in loyalty to family and community.