By Ginika Igboke
Texas businessman and philanthropist Tom Hicks, known for simultaneously owning teams across the NHL, Major League Baseball, and the English Premier League, passed away on Saturday at the age of 79.
Hicks owned the Dallas Stars from 1995 to 2011 and the Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2010. He also held a 50 percent ownership stake in Liverpool Football Club during his tenure as a major figure in international sports.
According to a statement released early Sunday by Hicks Holdings LLC, he died peacefully in Dallas surrounded by his family.
A 2022 inductee into the Texas Business Hall of Fame, Hicks co-founded Hicks & Haas in 1984 and was recognized as a transformative force in American business. He helped reshape private equity and introduced investment strategies that influenced an entire generation of financial leaders.
“Tom Hicks was an innovative businessman and a pioneer in private equity,” Texas businessman Ross Perot Jr. said. “He combined his commitment to business and sports through his ownership of the Stars and the Rangers.”
Under Hicks’ leadership, the Rangers won American League West Division titles in 1998, 1999, and 2010. The team advanced to the World Series in 2010, ultimately falling to the San Francisco Giants in five games.
The Dallas Stars saw major success during his ownership as well. Between 1995 and 2011, the franchise claimed multiple division titles and won the 1999 Stanley Cup after defeating the Buffalo Sabres 4–2 in the Finals.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones described Hicks as both a close friend and trusted partner.
“He dreamed big, and watching him bring the Stanley Cup here to Dallas was something I will always cherish,” Jones said. “Tom was a champion for sports, and we shared a vision for building Arlington into a destination where fans could feel the heartbeat of our teams and our community together.”
Jones added that their relationship went beyond professional collaboration. “It was about personal respect, trust, and friendship. We shared a lot of miles together, and I’ll miss him greatly. My heart goes out to his family.”
Hicks is survived by his wife of 35 years, Cinda Cree Hicks, their six children, and 14 grandchildren.
In a joint statement, his children — Thomas Ollis Hicks Jr., Mack Hardin Hicks, John Alexander Hicks, Robert Bradley Hicks, William Cree Hicks, and Catherine Forgrave Hicks — reflected on his legacy.
“Of everything he accomplished in his remarkable life, Tom Hicks’s most cherished title was ‘Dad.’ No matter the trials and tribulations he faced, he was constant in his generosity and love for his family. He remains a guiding force for us, and we are honored to continue expanding his legacy. Although we are devastated, we are profoundly grateful to have been his children.”
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