Clark Knobel Hunt (born February 19, 1965) is Chairman and CEO of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs and a founding investor-owner in Major League Soccer. Hunt also serves as Chairman of Hunt Sports Group, where he oversees the operations of FC Dallas and, formerly, the Columbus Crew of MLS.
Clark Hunt has been involved in the leadership of the Kansas City Chiefs for more than a decade and currently serves as the club's chairman and CEO.
In January 2013, Hunt ushered in a new era of Chiefs leadership, hiring Head Coach Andy Reid on Jan. 7 and General Manager John Dorsey a week later on Jan. 14. Hunt also introduced a structure change within the organization, announcing that for the first time in club history, the head coach, the general manager and the team president would all report directly to the chairman and CEO.
"We are thrilled to welcome both Andy and John to the Chiefs family. Each of them is well-respected across the league and brings a great amount of experience to the team. I am very excited for the future of Chiefs football under Andy, John and President Mark Donovan," Hunt said. "I truly believe we have the best leaders in place to guide this franchise to many successful seasons."
In 2012, the Hunts and the Chiefs celebrated 50 years of Chiefs football in Kansas City, paying tribute to Chiefs fans, the Kansas City community, and throughout the entire Chiefs Kingdom.
As part of the year-long anniversary of his father, Lamar Hunt, relocating the team to Kansas City, Hunt initiated a number of fan and game day elements to honor five decades of Chiefs football. As part of the celebration, the Chiefs became the first team in NFL history to reward each season ticket account holder with a personalized Chiefs Nike jersey. In addition to the free jersey, the club introduced a "STH" patch for the jersey that is available exclusively to Chiefs Season Ticket Holders.
Other highlights of the 50-year celebration included a Chiefs fan celebration tour to locations in Missouri and Kansas, as well as the announcement of the Kansas City Chiefs Art Program. Working in conjunction with leading members of the Kansas City business and arts communities, the Hunt family and the Chiefs are assembling a world-class collection of artwork in select spaces at Arrowhead Stadium produced by artists from the surrounding region, including Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The program is designed to help promote regional culture, provide educational opportunities for the youth of Kansas City and engage the community in a way that touches individuals of all ages and walks of life.
Hunt's proven business acumen, coupled with two decades of experience working side-by-side with his father, one of America's sports pioneers, helped shape his vision for the storied franchise.
Background
After graduating from St. Mark's School of Texas, he finished first in his class at Southern Methodist University in 1987, where he was a captain of SMU's nationally ranked soccer team and a two-time Academic All-American. Hunt earned a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. He was a two-time recipient of the university's highest academic honor, the Provost Award for Outstanding Scholar.
Hunt began his business career as an analyst with Goldman Sachs. He is married to Tavia Shackles, a former Miss Missouri Teen USA and Miss Kansas USA. The couple have three children.[citation needed]
Involvement in professional sports
One of the driving forces behind the creation of Major League Soccer, Hunt helped his father run the Kansas City Wizards until the team was sold in 2006. Hunt remains a member of the league's Board of Governors and owns the MLS club FC Dallas.[citation needed] He previously owned the Columbus Crew until 2013.
Kansas City Chiefs
Hunt was named Chairman of the Board of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005.[citation needed]
After the Chiefs' loss to the New York Jets in the 2007 season finale, Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson announced that both he and head coach Herm Edwards would return to the Chiefs in 2008. However, Hunt declined to immediately comment on Peterson's status. Hunt spoke out weeks later and stated that the Chiefs were his "No. 1 priority" and that "to have the best chance of success in 2008, having Carl here makes a lot of sense.” Hunt wanted to avoid having a new general manager come in with a new head coach, and starting from scratch again.
On December 15, Hunt announced the resignation of Carl Peterson from his positions as general manager, president, and CEO of the franchise effective the end of the season. Prior the decision, the Chiefs had a combined record of 9-24 under Hunt's leadership since December 23, 2006.
The official press release stated that Peterson resigned, but Hunt had said the conversation had been on-going throughout the season. Hunt said his decision to relieve Peterson of duties was not based on what happened the previous day, when the Chiefs lost an 11-point lead in the final 73 seconds and were beaten 22–21 by San Diego, dropping their record to 2-12 on the season. Hunt also said that the fate of head coach Herm Edwards would be settled after the season when a new general manager would be hired. Hunt said he would split the duties previously held by Peterson and have someone in charge of the business side and someone else in charge of football for the franchise.
Hunt had kept his search for a new general manager almost entirely leak-proof, instructing subordinates that only he is to speak to the situation. On January 13, 2009 Hunt hired New England Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli as the new Chiefs general manager. On January 23 the Chiefs fired head coach Herman Edwards, and Todd Haley was hired as his replacement on February 6.
2012 Season
Hunt fired Todd Haley on December 12, 2011, after the Chiefs had compiled a 5-8 record during the 2011 NFL season. Haley was replaced by defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. Crennel finished his stint as interim head coach with a 2-1 record. On January 9, 2012, Hunt named Crennel the team's permanent head coach.
The return of star players Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry led many to believe that the Chiefs would contend for a playoff spot. Instead, the Chiefs were historically bad through the first seven games of the season, failing to lead a game during regulation (worst since 1940), and holding a tie at the end of only two of twenty-eight possible quarters. Through seven games, the Chiefs were on pace to break the 1965 Pittsburgh Steelers record for worst turnover ratio by 11 turnovers.
On October 28, 2012, the Chiefs lost to rival Oakland Raiders for the sixth consecutive time at home. To date, the only public comment Hunt has made during the season has been in defense of Chiefs fans, who were accused by new right tackle Eric Winston of cheering Matt Cassell's head injury during a game on October 7, 2012. Local and national media outlets have referred to the 1-6 Chiefs' start as "rock bottom" and "competing against history".
Hunt has yet to comment publicly on the Chiefs' season, though it is reported that he has spoken with several fans, and that the Chiefs have refunded tickets to holders who have complained. The Kansas City Star has referred to the season as among the worst in the history of professional sports.
On January 4, 2013, The Kansas City Chiefs officially hired Andy Reid to be the next Head Coach.
Columbus Crew
Under Hunt, the Columbus Crew won their first MLS Cup championship on November 23, 2008.
West Ham United FC
Hunt was linked to the £120M purchase of West Ham United on August 6, 2009. However on 19 January 2010, David Sullivan and David Gold bought the east London club.
Crystal Palace FC
By February 2010, rumours started to abound that Clark Hunt was one of the interested parties looking at buying Crystal Palace FC from the administrators P&A Partnership.
