Robert Kraft - New England Patriots' Chairman

Robert K. Kraft (born June 5, 1941) is an American business magnate. He is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Kraft Group, a diversified holding company with assets in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development and a private equity portfolio. His sports holdings include the National Football League's New England Patriots and Major League Soccer's New England Revolution, and Gillette Stadium.

Since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994, the Patriots have experienced one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the history of sports. Now in his 20th season of ownership, Kraft has transformed one of the league's least successful clubs into what many observers view as a model NFL franchise. In its first 34 seasons of existence, the Patriots won a total of 225 games. Under Kraft's guidance, the franchise equaled that win total in just 19 years. In the five seasons immediately preceding his purchase (1989-93), the Patriots were a moribund team, winning just 19 of 80 games (.238 pct.) and recording the worst record in the NFL over that span.

When he bought the franchise on Jan. 21, 1994, Kraft announced his intention to bring a championship to New England, a tall order considering the team's previous success rate. But since then, under Kraft's leadership, the Patriots have won more division titles (12), conference crowns (6) and Super Bowl championships (3) than any other NFL team. In 2011, the Patriots claimed their sixth AFC Championship during Kraft's tenure, earning him the distinction as the first principal owner in NFL history to earn six trips to the Super Bowl. Since 1994, no other NFL team has appeared in more than four Super Bowls. In Kraft's 19 seasons, the Patriots have qualified for the playoffs 14 times, more than doubling the franchise's playoff appearances in their first 34 seasons.

Early life and career
Kraft was raised in an observant Jewish family. His father was a dressmaker in Boston's Chinatown. Kraft attended Brookline High School in his hometown, graduating in 1959; He is a 1963 graduate of Columbia University, which he attended on scholarship, and received an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1965. While at Columbia, Kraft joined Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity  and played on the school's lightweight football team.

He began his professional career with the Rand-Whitney Group, a Worcester-based packaging company owned by his father-in-law Jacob Hiatt. He still serves as this company's chairman. In 1972, he founded International Forest Products, a trader of physical paper commodities. The two combined companies make up the largest privately held paper and packaging companies in the United States. International Forest Products is consistently among the top 100 US exporters/importers and in 2011 was No. 27 on the Journal of Commerce's list in that category.

In 1986, Kraft helped a minority business group acquire WNEV-TV, a CBS affiliate in Boston (now NBC affiliate WHDH-TV). He continued his investment in the entertainment field by buying several Boston radio stations. He is a member of a private equity group, which funded film, theatre, and television producer Scott Sanders' company, "Scott Sanders Productions."

Ownership of the Patriots
A Patriots fan since their American Football League days, Kraft has been a season ticket holder since 1971, when the team moved to the then-Schaefer Stadium.

In 1985, Kraft bought an option on the parcel adjacent to the stadium. The option would be the first in a series of steps which would culminate nearly a decade later in his eventual ownership of the team. Later, in 1988, Kraft outbid several competitors to buy the stadium out of bankruptcy court from Billy Sullivan for $25 million. The purchase included the stadium's lease to the Patriots – which would later provide Kraft leverage in purchasing the team.

In 1992, St. Louis businessman, James Orthwein, purchased the Patriots from Victor Kiam, who was facing bankruptcy and owed Orthwein several million dollars. For the next two years, rumors of a Patriots move to St. Louis were rampant, based on the fact that Orthwein wanted to return the NFL to his hometown, which had lost the Cardinals to Arizona in 1988.

In 1994, Orthwein offered Kraft $75 million to buy out the remainder of the team's lease at the Foxboro Stadium, which, if Kraft agreed, would free Orthwein to move the Patriots to St. Louis. However, Kraft rejected the offer and made a counter-bid—a then NFL-record $175 million for the outright purchase of the Patriots (a surprising move in that the Patriots were, at the time, among the least valuable franchises in the NFL), an offer Orthwein accepted.

The day after the NFL approved the sale in February 1994, Patriots fans showed their appreciation by purchasing almost 6,000 season tickets en route to selling out every game for the first time in the team's 34-year history. Every home game—regular season, postseason, and even preseason—has been sold out since. The Patriots responded by putting together a seven-game winning streak to end the 1994 season, making the playoffs for the first time since 1986. In 1996 Kraft founded the New England Revolution, a charter member of Major League Soccer which began playing alongside the Patriots at Foxboro.

After the failure of a number of stadium plans that included either revamping the area in Foxboro or relocating to Boston or a town near Boston, the Patriots nearly moved to Hartford, Connecticut, in 1999. Plans were also discussed about moving the team to Providence, Rhode Island (where the Providence Place Mall now stands). They reached an agreement with then–Connecticut Governor John Rowland to move to a new stadium intended to be the cornerstone of downtown redevelopment. After Rowland lobbied the Connecticut legislature to approve state funds for the stadium the Patriots were given another opportunity to resume negotiations with the Massachusetts legislators who had initially balked on paying for site improvements for a new stadium in Foxboro. At the last minute the Massachusetts legislature approved the subsidies and hurdles were cleared for what became Gillette Stadium in the Patriots' longtime home of Foxboro. The $350 million stadium, privately financed by Kraft, opened in 2002 as CMGI Field, before financial difficulties for CMGI resulted in Gillette taking over naming rights.

In 2007, Kraft announced plans to develop the land around Gillette Stadium, creating a $375 million open-air shopping and entertainment center called Patriot Place. The development opened in stages through 2007, 2008, and 2009 and included "The Hall at Patriot Place", a multi-story museum attached to the stadium, and the "CBS Scene", a CBS-themed restaurant.

The Patriots appeared in Super Bowl XX under their original owners, the Sullivans. Yet, this was one of only six playoff appearances in 33 years. However, since Kraft bought the team, they have made the playoffs 15 times in 20 years. They have also appeared in more playoff games (27) than in the team's first 34 seasons combined (10). The team won AFC East titles in 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; they represented the AFC in the Super Bowl in 1996 (lost), 2001 (won) 2003 (won) 2004 (won) 2007 (lost) and 2011 (lost). The Patriots finished the 2003, 2004, and 2010 seasons with identical 14–2 regular-season records, and also finished the 2007 regular season undefeated before losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

Kraft was principally involved in the 2011 NFL labor negotiations. He was credited for being a bridge-builder who brought the two sides closer together and a catalyst in negotiating a historic 10-year agreement. The deal was announced on Monday, July 25, 2011, while Kraft was still mourning the death of his "sweetheart", Myra Kraft, his wife of 48 years, who had died only five days before. In what became an iconic image of the CBA resolution, NFLPA representative and Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday praised Kraft for his role in the negotiations, stating, "without him, this deal does not get done ... He is a man who helped us save football."

In Kraft's first 18 seasons as team owner the Patriots have won 193 regular season games and 19 playoff games (including Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX). The team reached a milestone 200th win (encompassing regular season and playoffs) under Kraft ownership with their third win of 2011, a 30–19 win against the Oakland Raiders.

In 2005, a minor international incident was caused when it was reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin had taken one of Kraft's three Super Bowl rings. Kraft quickly issued a statement saying that he had given Putin the ring out of "respect and admiration" he had for the Russian people and Putin's leadership. Kraft later said his earlier statement was not true, and had been issued under pressure from the White House. The ring is on display with state gifts at the Kremlin.

Soccer
After selling $3.5 million tickets for the 1994 World Cup, the Kraft family saw a business opportunity to invest in the new professional soccer league Major League Soccer. In 1995, Kraft became the investor / operator of the New England Revolution from Major League Soccer. The team had a successful run from 2002 to 2007, with four MLS Cup appearances in six years. Kraft attended in person for three of the four appearances, opting for a regular season New England Patriots game instead of attending the 2006 MLS Cup between his Revolution and the Houston Dynamo.

In November 2005, Kraft met with Rick Parry, the Chief Executive of English Premier League team Liverpool. Kraft was rumored to be interested in investing money into the 2004–05 European Champions. Kraft told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Liverpool is a great brand and it's something our family respects a lot. We're always interested in opportunities and growing, so you never know what can happen." Eventually, however, the club was sold to American duo George Gillett and Tom Hicks. Liverpool was eventually sold to another local sports ownership in 2010, New England Sports Ventures, owners of the Boston Red Sox.

Philanthropy
The Krafts have donated over $100 million to a variety of philanthropic causes including education, child and women issues, healthcare, youth sports and American and Israeli causes. In 2011, the Krafts pledged $20 million to Partners HealthCare to launch the Kraft Family National Center for Leadership and Training in Community Health, an initiative designed to improve access to quality healthcare at community health centers throughout New England. Among the many institutions the Krafts have supported are Columbia University, Harvard Business School, Brandeis University, The College of the Holy Cross, Boston College, Tufts University, the Belmont Hill School, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. One of their most distinctive projects is supporting American Football Israel, including Kraft Family Stadium in Jerusalem and the Kraft Family Israel Football League. In 2007, in recognition of a gift of $5 million in support of Columbia's intercollegiate athletics program, the playing field at Columbia's Lawrence A. Wien Stadium at the Baker Field Athletics Complex was named Robert K. Kraft Field.

He has received numerous honorary degrees from several colleges and universities and was awarded the NCAA's highest honor when he received the Theodore Roosevelt Award, "presented annually to a distinguished citizen of national reputation and outstanding accomplishments."

In 2011 Kraft was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In 2012, he became the first NFL owner in the 43-year history of the honor to be selected for the George Halas Award by the Pro Football Writers of America. The award is presented annually to the NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.

Following the April 15, 2013, Boston Marathon bombings, Kraft announced he would match up to $100,000 in donations made for the victims through the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation.

Personal life
A native of Brookline, Mass., Kraft attended local public schools before entering Columbia University on an academic scholarship. Upon graduation, he received a fellowship to attend Harvard Business School, where he earned a master's degree in business administration.

Kraft's love affair with football and the Patriots began decades ago. A Patriots fan since their AFL days in the 1960s, Kraft attended games at each of the team's Boston venues: Boston University Field, Fenway Park, Boston College Alumni Stadium and Harvard Stadium. When the team moved to then Schaefer Stadium in 1971, Kraft invested in season tickets for his family. He credits the memories and experiences shared with his family and other Patriots fans during those years for his passionate pursuit of ownership of the franchise.

Kraft serves on the board of directors for Viacom. He is also on the executive committee for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where he established the Robert K. Kraft Family Blood Donor Center. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership. He is a trustee emeritus at Columbia and is a trustee at Boston College. He has received honorary degrees from several colleges and universities and was awarded the NCAA's highest honor when he received the Theodore Roosevelt Award, "presented annually to a distinguished citizen of national reputation and outstanding accomplishments." In 2011, Kraft received the Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award and received the prestigious honor of being inducted into the 231st class of American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation's oldest and most learned societies. With his induction, he joined the likes of many other patriots, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Hancock. In 2012, he became the first NFL owner in the 43-year history of the honor to ever be selected to receive the George Halas Award, which is presented annually to the NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed. He was also inducted into Columbia's athletic hall of fame in 2012. In 2013, he received the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence.

Over the past four decades, the Kraft family has been one of New England's most philanthropic families, donating over $100 million in support of local charities and civic affairs. In 2011, the Krafts pledged $20 million to Partners HealthCare to launch the Kraft Center for Community Health, an initiative designed to improve the leadership of and access to quality health care at community centers in Massachusetts. With success, the model used will expand nationally. 

Zygi Wilf - Minnesota Vikings' Owner

 Zygmunt "Zygi" Wilf (born April 22, 1950) is the principal owner of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.

Zygi Wilf’s 10 seasons leading the ownership group that has stewardship of the Vikings franchise has been highlighted by commitment to core values and building a strong foundation for the future.

The Vikings have made 3 playoff appearances and won 2 NFC North titles in the past 6 seasons behind the Wilf family leadership. The club enters 2014 as a franchise poised on the future. The team is under the direction of first-year Head Coach Mike Zimmer and will be playing at TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota for 2014 and 2015 as the new home of the Vikings is being built in downtown Minneapolis.

Early life
Zygi Wilf was born in Germany on April 22, 1950. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Wilf, are both Holocaust survivors from Nazi occupied Poland. The Wilf family immigrated to the United States from Europe in the early 1950s and settled in Hillside, New Jersey. After a brief stint as used car salesmen, Joseph and his brother Harry Wilf began purchasing apartment buildings and renting units. Eventually, the brothers began building single-family homes and founded Garden Homes. A successful real estate developer, his two main family-run businesses, Garden Homes and Garden Commercial Properties, have constructed some 25,000 homes in 39 states across the country since their initial ventures; the two entities and their affiliates own and manage 25,000,000 square feet (2,300,000 m2) in retail and business property.

Education
Zygi Wilf attended Fairleigh Dickinson University, earning a bachelor's degree in economics in 1971, and later graduated from New York Law School in Manhattan. He also received an honorary degree at Fairleigh Dickinson's 69th Commencement Ceremony in May 2012.

Zygi attended nearby Fairleigh Dickinson University, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics and later graduated from New York Law School in Manhattan.  Wilf, and wife, Audrey, have four children. Wilf was recognized in 2013 with the Fritz Pollard Alliance’s Tank Younger Award in honor of his commitment to hiring and promoting minority candidates on the football and business side of the Vikings franchise.

Career
After working as an attorney, Wilf joined the family business and became head of one of the company's affiliates, Garden Commercial Properties. Wilf has grown the company from four shopping centers in Northern New Jersey to over a hundred properties, including several large malls. In addition to the commercial properties, the Garden companies also own and manage 90,000 apartment units around the country.

Minnesota Vikings
Wilf and five partners purchased the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League from Red McCombs in 2005 for a reported US$600 million. Forbes estimates the 2012 value of the franchise at US$975 million, or 22nd of the 32 NFL teams.

For several years the Vikings and Wilf have stated that their current home, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome is inadequate and have lobbied for a new stadium. In May 2012, the Minnesota Vikings moved closer to getting a new $975 million stadium after the state Senate approved a plan that relies heavily on public financing. Later that month the deal was signed by Gov. Mark Dayton and narrowly approved by the Minneapolis City Council, ending any speculation of relocation.

Trial for fraud and racketeering
On August 6, 2013, Wilf, along with his brother and cousin, were found liable by a New Jersey court for breaking civil state racketeering laws and keeping separate accounting books to fleece former business partners of shared revenue. The presiding judge noted that Wilf had used organized crime like tactics to commit fraud against his business partners.

Stephen M. Ross - Miami Dolphins' Owner

Stephen M. Ross (born May 10, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan) is an American real estate developer, philanthropist and sports team owner. Ross is the chairman and majority owner of The Related Companies, a global real estate development firm he founded in 1972. Related is best known for developing the Time Warner Center, where Ross currently lives and works, as well as its new Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project. According to Forbes magazine, Ross has a net worth of $4.8 billion. Ross is also the principal owner of the Miami Dolphins and Sun Life Stadium.

Stephen M. Ross is an American real estate developer who lives in New York City. He is the founder, chairman and CEO of The Related Companies, L.P. , a global real estate development firm. Related is best known for developing the Time Warner Center, where Ross lives and works.

Ross is a major benefactor of his alma mater, the University of Michigan; with lifetime contributions of $313 million to the university, he is the largest donor in university history. According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Ross's higher education gifts rank behind only billionaire New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose recent $350 million contribution to Johns Hopkins University increased his lifetime total to $1.1 billion. The University of Michigan renamed its business school, the Ross School of Business, in Ross's honor in 2004, after Ross made a $100 million gift to fund a new business-school building. In September 2013, Ross donated $200 million to the University ($100 million to the Business School and $100 million to Michigan athletics), the largest single gift in the history of the university; the University of Michigan announced plans to rename the university's athletics campus in his honor. Ross also gave $5 million to the athletic department's academic center and $1 million to endow a professorship in real estate at the Ross School of Business.

Early life and education
Ross was raised in a Jewish family in Detroit and later graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School. He attended the University of Florida and then transferred to the University of Michigan Business School, where he earned his bachelor's degree in accounting in 1962. He later received a Juris Doctor from the Wayne State School of Law in 1965 and an LL.M. degree in Taxation from the New York University School of Law in 1966.

Career
Ross began his career as a tax attorney at Coopers & Lybrand in Detroit. In 1968, he moved to New York City and accepted a position as an assistant vice president in the real estate subsidiary of Laird Inc. and then worked in the corporate finance department of Bear Stearns. In 1972, he left employment and living off $10,000 lent to him by his mother, he utilized his federal tax law knowledge to organize deals for wealthy investors allowing them to shelter income with the generous incentives granted by the federal government to promote the construction of federally subsidized affordable housing. He was very successful, earning $150,000 in his first year, and he was soon arranging more complicated transactions. Using his earnings along with his newfound experience, he started to develop real estate on his own and with an emphasis on high-quality architecture and engineering, he quickly earned a solid reputation in the American real estate arena. With a focus on the northeastern United States and Florida, he developed apartments, condominiums, retail, office parks and mixed-use developments. In 1972, he founded The Related Companies, a real estate development company.

The Related Companies

Related is a fully integrated and diversified real estate development company. Its business includes development, acquisitions, management, finance, marketing and sales. Headquartered in New York City, Related has offices and real estate developments in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, South Florida, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. The company directly employs approximately 2,000 people. The company's existing portfolio of real estate assets, valued at over $15 billion, is made up of mixed-use, residential, retail, office, trade show and affordable properties in what the company calls "premier high-barrier-to-entry markets." Related is the largest owner of luxury residential rental properties in New York with over 5,000 units in its portfolio and has developed mixed-use projects such as Time Warner Center in New York and CityPlace in West Palm Beach and is currently developing the 26-acre Hudson Yards project on Manhattan's west side. Related also manages approximately $1.5 billion of equity capital on behalf of sovereign wealth funds, public pension plans, multi-managers, endowments, Taft Hartley plans and family offices.

Related also owns Equinox Fitness Clubs and a partnership interest in Union Square Events, the catering, culture, sports, and events business of Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group.

Miami Dolphins
In February 2008, Ross bought 50 percent of the Miami Dolphin franchise, Dolphin Stadium and surrounding land from then-owner Wayne Huizenga for $550 million, with an agreement to later become the Dolphins' managing general partner. On January 20, 2009, Ross closed on the purchase of an additional 45 percent of the team from Wayne Huizenga. The total value of the deal was $1.1 billion. This means Ross is now the owner of 95% of both the franchise and the stadium. Ross announced his intention to keep Bill Parcells as the director of football operations. Parcells later stepped down from his position shortly before the 2010 NFL season. Since buying the Dolphins, Ross has brought in Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, Venus Williams, and Serena Williams, as minority owners of the team. In 2013, Ross made a push to obtain multimillion dollar public funding from the state of Florida and Miami-Dade taxpayers to help renovate Sun Life Stadium, the Dolphins' home field. After this effort failed in the Florida legislature, a team spokesman said that Ross does not intend to move the team but that under an eventual future owner the Dolphins' future in the Miami area is bleak. Although Ross said he intends to keep the Dolphins "in town", there has been speculation that the team may seek to move out of Miami to a nearby locale such as Palm Beach.

RSE Ventures
In 2012, Ross and Matt Higgins formed RSE Ventures, a sports marketing, technology and entertainment holding company. RSE Ventures specializes in accelerating innovation and adoption around the live experience, leveraging its network of companies to create or acquire new content and technology.

Kangaroo Media/FanVision
Ross and Carl Peterson own Kangaroo Media, producer of FanVision.

Civic and philanthropic leadership
Ross was co-chair of the University of Michigan's fund raising campaign, which was completed May 2007. He is currently serving on President Mary Sue Coleman's Advisory Group and the Director's Cabinet in the University's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

In 2004, Ross made the single largest contribution (at the time) to the University of Michigan by donating $100 million to the school. The University renamed its business school, Ross School of Business in his honor. On September 12, 2013, it was announced Ross had committed an additional $200 million gift to the University, to be distributed equally among the Ross School of Business and the University's athletic department. It replaced Charlie Munger's 2013 contribution of $115 million as the largest single gift in the University's history.

He was on the executive committee of NYC2012, New York's initiative to bring the summer Olympic Games to New York City in 2012, which failed when London won instead. Ross is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Equinox Holdings, Inc. and chairperson emeritus of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), the city's leading real estate trade association. As a member of the Board of Trustees of the Guggenheim Foundation, Ross was involved in the planning of a major renovation of the Frank Lloyd Wright iconic building in New York and other new museums. He is a trustee of New York Presbyterian Hospital, the Urban Land Institute, the NY Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, the Levin Institute and is a director of the Jackie Robinson Foundation and the World Resources Institute. He also serves on the Executive Committee and is a trustee of Lincoln Center.

Honors and awards
Over the years, Ross has received numerous honors for his business, civic, and philanthropic activities. Most recently, he was named the third Most Powerful Person in New York Real Estate by the New York Observer, Multi-Family Property Executive of the Year by Commercial Property News, and Housing Person of the Year by the National Housing Conference. He also received The National Building Museum Honor Award, REBNY's Harry B. Helmsley Distinguished New Yorker Award and the Jack D. Weiler Award from UJA. Crain's New York named Ross one of the 100 Most Influential Leaders in Business and he was recognized by NYC & Company with their Leadership in Tourism Award.

Political views
Ross was a major supporter and contributor to the 2012 presidential campaign of Mitt Romney.

Personal life
Ross and his wife Kara Ross (née Gaffney), an entrepreneur and jewelry designer, reside in New York with her two daughters from a previous marriage. Ross has two of his own children from his first marriage. The Rosses also own an 11,000 sq ft oceanfront mansion in Palm Beach.

Ross's uncle Max M. Fisher was a successful financier and philanthropist from Detroit, Michigan.

Clark Hunt - Kansas City Chiefs' CEO

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.

Shahid Khan - Jacksonville Jaguars' Owner

Shahid "Shad" Khan (born July 18, 1952) is a Pakistani-born American billionaire businessman. He is the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL), the English Football League Championship team Fulham F.C., and automobile parts manufacturer Flex-N-Gate in Urbana, Illinois.

As of September 2013, Khan's net worth is over $3.8 billion. He is ranked 122nd in the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans and is overall the 490th wealthiest person in the world. He is also the richest person of Pakistani origin.

Khan was featured on the front cover of Forbes Magazine in 2012, associating him as the face of the American Dream.

Early life

Khan was born in Lahore, Pakistan to a middle-class family who were involved in the construction industry. His mother (now retired) was a professor of mathematics. He moved to the United States in 1968 at age 16 to study at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. When he came to the United States, he spent his first night in a $2/night room at the University Y-YMCA, and his first job was washing dishes for $1.20 an hour. He joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at the school. He graduated from the UIUC College of Engineering with a BSc in Industrial Engineering in 1971. Khan acquired US citizenship in 1991. He is a Muslim.

Flex-N-Gate

Khan worked at the automotive manufacturing company Flex-N-Gate while attending the University of Illinois. When he graduated he was hired as the engineering director for the company. In 1978, he started Bumper Works, which made car bumpers for customized pickup trucks and body shop repairs. The transaction involved a $50,000 loan from the Small Business Loan Corporation and $16,000 in his savings.

In 1980 he bought Flex-N-Gate from his former employer Charles Gleason Butzow, bringing Bumper Works into the fold. Khan grew the company so that it supplied bumpers for the Big Three automakers. In 1984 he began supplying a small number of bumpers for Toyota pickups. By 1987 it was the sole supplier for Toyota pickups and by 1989 it was the sole supplier for the entire Toyota line in the United States. Adopting The Toyota Way increased company efficiency and ability to change its manufacturing process within a few minutes. Since then the company has grown from $17 million in sales to an estimated $2 billion in 2010.

Since early 2012 Shad and Ann Khan have focused their philanthropic giving in the Jacksonville community through the Jaguars Foundation.  Through the Foundation they provided more than $1 million in grants in 2012 and $1.6 million in 2013 to children’s and family programs, as well as other NFL and team-related initiatives. The Foundation also donates more than 11,000 charitable tickets with an in-kind value of nearly $500,000 annually. The Khans’ charitable initiatives include a $1 million commitment to the City of Jacksonville’s Veterans Resource and Reintegration Center, as a partner in the mayor’s initiative to military service members transitioning back to civilian life.  The Khans also made a six-figure challenge matching grant to the North Florida Boy Scouts, contributions to fund the NFL/Jaguars Play 60 program in partnership with Baptist Health, and grants to support community improvements. Khan also supported the One Spark event in Jacksonville in April 2014 with his second consecutive $1 million pledge to support creativity and innovation.

By 2011, Flex-N-Gate had 12,450 employees and 48 manufacturing plants in the United States and several other countries, and took in $3 billion in revenue.

In May 2012, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Flex-N-Gate $57,000 for health violations at its Urbana plant.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Khan's first attempt to purchase a National Football League team came in February 11, 2010, when he entered into an agreement to acquire 60 percent of the St. Louis Rams from Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez, subject to approval by other NFL owners. However, Stan Kroenke, the minority shareholder of the Rams, ultimately exercised a clause in his ownership agreement to match any proposed bid.

On November 29, 2011, Khan agreed to purchase the Jacksonville Jaguars from Wayne Weaver and his ownership group subject to NFL approval. Weaver announced his sale of the team to Khan later that same day. The terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed, other than a verbal commitment to keep the team in Jacksonville, Florida. The sale was finalized on January 4, 2012. The purchase price for 100% share in the Jaguars was estimated to have been $760 million. The NFL owners unanimously approved the purchase on December 14, 2011. The sale made Khan the first member of an ethnic minority ever to own an NFL team.

Fulham F.C.

In 2013, Khan complemented his sports club portfolio with his purchase of the London-based Fulham Football Club.  As chairman of Fulham, Khan became the only person in the world to own 100 percent of both an NFL club and a Barclays Premier League team. Fulham will play in the Sky Bet Championship division of The Football League in 2014-2015.
In July 2013 Khan negotiated the purchase of the London soccer club Fulham of the Premier League from its previous owner, Mohamed Al Fayed. The deal was finalized on July 12, 2013 with the amount estimated between £150–200 million. An official purchase price for the club was not announced with Khan stating that it was "highly confidential".

Recognition
Khan has received a number of awards from the University of Illinois, including a Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1999 from the Department of Mechanical Science and Industrial Engineering, the Alumni Award for Distinguished Service in 2006 from the College of Engineering, and (with his wife, Ann) the Distinguished Service Award in 2005 from the University of Illinois Alumni Association.

Shahid Khan net worth: Shahid Khan is a Pakistani-born entrepreneur who has a net worth of $4.2 billion dollars. Born in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, Shahid Khan came to the United States in his late teens to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. After graduating in 1971, he became the engineering director for Flex-N-Gate, an automobile manufacturing company. He subsequently started his own company, Bumper Works, in 1978. His company specialized in car bumpers and became so successful, that he was able to purchase Flex-N-Gate. The larger company became the primary supplier of bumpers to the major car manufacturers in the United States, and then became the sole supplier for Toyota. It has since grown to 48 plants, employing over 12,000 people, and pulls in $3 billion per year. Shahid Khan recently became the majority owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team. The sale was finalized in mid-December 2011 and his ownership will go into effect in 2012.

Along with his wife, fellow University of Illinois alum Ann Carlson Khan, the Khans’ gifts to the University of Illinois have enriched the university and community through donations to the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, the University Library; the College of Business; and the College of Applied Health Sciences, where they have funded five endowed Khan Professorships and the Khan Annex—a 24,000 square foot facility with state-of-the-art laboratories, instructional, and professional collaboration spaces. The Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex on the University of Illinois campus will hosted the 2013 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships.

In 2007 the Khan Foundation was formed to expand research in the Applied Health Sciences, with Mrs. Khan serving as the foundation’s president. Since its inception, the Foundation has given out more than five million dollars in grants nationwide—to libraries; organizations such as Crisis Nursery and the YMCA; and to UCLA for pediatric non-embryonic stem cell research.  In 2011 Mr. Khan became a Lincoln Laureate, the state’s highest award for achievement given by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, for his philanthropic work in the state.

Personal

Mr. Khan shares his passion for the American dream with his family.  The Khans have passed on their commitment to work and service to their two grown children, Shanna and Tony Khan. Tony is the Jaguars’ senior vice president, football technology and analytics.

Jim Irsay - Indianapolis Colts' Owner

James "Jim" Irsay (born June 13, 1959) is the owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League.

As the Colts approach their 30th season in Indianapolis, fans around the globe will be focused on “what’s next” for one of the top teams in the NFL. It’s a team that has flourished under the leadership of Jim Irsay, As the Colts approach their 30th season in Indianapolis, fans around the globe will be focused on “what’s next” for one of the top teams in the NFL. It’s a team that has flourished under the leadership of Jim Irsay, a second generation owner whose roots are steadfastly planted in NFL traditions.

Irsay was 12 years old when his father, Robert Irsay, purchased the Baltimore Colts. After graduating from SMU in 1982 he joined the Colts' professional staff. He was named Vice President and General Manager in 1984, one month after the Colts relocated from Baltimore, to Indianapolis. After his father suffered a stroke in 1995 Jim assumed day-to-day management with the role of Senior Executive Vice President, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer in April 1996. When his father died in 1997 Jim engaged in a legal battle with his stepmother over ownership of the team, but later became the youngest NFL team owner at that time at 37. He controls 100% of the franchise.

Jim Irsay grew up with the Colts. His father, Robert, acquired the team when Jim was 13 years old. There’s sincere sentiment when Irsay talks about those years of living with the team during summer camp, watching every game and riding the team bus. After he graduated from SMU with a degree in broadcast journalism, he joined the franchise and worked in virtually every area, from ticket sales to public relations to football operations. When the Colts arrived in 1984, Irsay was named general manager, the youngest to ever hold that job at age 24.

Irsay was born in Lincolnwood, Illinois, the son of Harriet (née Pogorzelski) and Chicago businessman Robert Irsay.[2] His father was from a Hungarian Jewish[3] family and his mother was the daughter of Polish Catholic immigrants. Irsay was raised Catholic, and did not know about his father's Jewish heritage until he was fourteen.[4][5] Jim's brother, Robert, was born with a mental disability and died in 1999, and his sister, Roberta, died in a car accident in 1971. Irsay attended high school at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois a suburb just north of Chicago, Illinois and at Mercersburg Academy '78, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. After high school he attended, and graduated from, Southern Methodist University in 1982 with a degree in broadcast journalism.[6] Irsay played linebacker for the SMU Mustangs football team as a walk-on, but an ankle injury ended his playing career.

“Those years were tough and I took a lot of criticism, but I wouldn’t change it for anything,” said Irsay. “I learned early that working your way through adversity can be the best way to become a better manager, leader and owner.”

When Irsay took over as owner in 1997, he began to implement his plan to build a winning team. To Colts fans around the world, the celebration was spectacular when, to Indiana’s great delight, that plan worked. Just 10 years later, the Indianapolis Colts brought home the team’s fourth world championship and the Lombardi Trophy with a Super Bowl XLI victory.

As other NFL teams have learned, it’s not easy to sustain a winning franchise. Despite the fact that the Colts made it to a second Super Bowl during the 2009 season, Irsay knew it was time to make a change following a disappointing 2-14 year in 2011. He hired Ryan Grigson as the team’s general manager and Chuck Pagano as the head coach. The chemistry of this duo, matched by the dynamic coaching staff they assembled and the players they recruited were just what was needed for a turnaround.

As the Colts approached the 2012 campaign, Grigson and Pagano built a team led by the No. 1 overall draft pick, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. With new talent from the draft and free agency, combined with record-setting veterans, the Colts were ready to show fans a new level of play and energy.

What no one expected was the news that broke just three games into the regular season. Coach Pagano had been diagnosed with leukemia and was undergoing treatment at the IU Simon Cancer Center. The team, community and country rallied behind Coach Pagano and his eventual return to the field in the regular season finale. The Colts recorded an 11-5 record and reached the AFC Playoffs. The nine-win improvement from the 2011 season is tied for the third-largest in NFL history.

The 2013 campaign promises to be another exciting season. While the 2012 draft produced skill position players, this year’s draft for the Colts focused on what Ryan Grigson calls the “trench players.” But it wasn’t just the draft that filled out the roster. The Colts were incredibly active in the free agency and added 10 players who bring a wealth of veteran leadership. With that in mind, Irsay and the Colts always keep one goal in mind: Give Colts fans the best possible season.

This year also marks the team’s sixth season at Lucas Oil Stadium, one of America's finest sports venues. All eyes were focused on the City of Indianapolis and the stadium when Super Bowl XLVI came to town. Largely regarded as one of the most successful Super Bowls ever, the event also generated hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact, not to mention the worldwide exposure for the City and State.

A hallmark of Jim Irsay's tenure of stewardship was the 2006 season, when the Indianapolis Colts won Super Bowl XLI, with a 29-17 victory over Chicago. Following its triumphant title return, the team was welcomed by a raucous crowd lining downtown streets and filling the RCA Dome. Irsay responded by sending the Lombardi Trophy on a tour throughout Indiana. The 50-stop, 3,130-mile tour gave fans an opportunity to see, touch and have pictures taken with the trophy. That fall, he created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans to compete for one of five authentic Super Bowl rings. The effort raised more than $225,000 for charity and entertained thousands who witnessed the 10 finalists take their chance to pick one of five treasure chests that contained a ring inscribed with, 'Colts Fan.'

An active and participating owner, Irsay chairs the league's Legislative Committee and serves on both the Finance Committee and the Super Bowl Advisory Committee. He also has served on the Executive Committee of the Management Council and the Pro-College Relations Committee. Additionally, Irsay was a member of the Realignment Working Group and the Working Club Executive Committee that authored the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement in 1993.

Irsay and his wife, Meg, oversee the team’s extensive contributions program. In their home city and state, the Irsays are active supporters for programs that address health and wellness, community development, cancer research and the arts.

Although football has been the focus of Irsay’s professional life, he is a music aficionado who collects rare guitars (including Jerry Garcia's Tiger and one of George Harrison's guitars) and an Americana fan who collects rare historical documents, including Jack Kerouac's original manuscript of On the Road.

Jim and Meg have three daughters, Carlie Irsay Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Irsay, as well as five grandchildren. All three daughters represent the next generation of ownership for the Indianapolis Colts as each was promoted to the position of vice chair/owner in March of 2012.

In reflecting on the organization at this point in time, Jim Irsay says, “I could not be prouder of our franchise. Both the football side and the front office have never worked better together. Our fans, far and near, will witness and enjoy many years of success on and off the field. We have the best fans in the NFL and our goal is to resume our position as one of the most consistently “best” teams in the league.”

Irsay married Meg Coyle in 1980, and the couple have three daughters, Carlie, Casey and Kalen.

Irsay has a habit of quoting rock music. It is rumored that he brings his guitar on Colts road trips and plays until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning.In 2001 Irsay purchased the original manuscript of On The Road, or "the scroll": a continuous, one hundred twenty-foot scroll of tracing paper sheets that Jack Kerouac cut to size and taped together, for $2.43 million.Irsay is a big fan of British rock band The Who. Irsay also has purchased guitars originally owned by Elvis Presley, George Harrison, and Jerry Garcia.

In 2009 Irsay was vocal about preventing a group that included talk-show host Rush Limbaugh from purchasing the St. Louis Rams. "I, myself, couldn't even consider voting for him," Irsay said at an NFL owners meeting. "When there are comments that have been made that are inappropriate, incendiary and insensitive... our words do damage, and it's something we don't need."Irsay has made political contributions to John Edwards and Harry Reid.

On March 16, 2014, Irsay was arrested under suspicion of DUI and drug possession in Carmel, Indiana.According to Indianapolis Star sports columnist, Bob Kravitz, he has had an ongoing drug problem.Irsay's daughter, Carlie, will take over the day-to-day operations of the Colts while he is in rehab.

Robert C. McNair - Houston Texans' Owner

Robert C. "Bob" McNair (born 1937) is an American businessman, philanthropist, and the owner of the Houston Texans of the National Football League.

Robert C. McNair, a leading businessman, sportsman and philanthropist in the city of Houston for more than 50 years, is the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of the Houston Texans.

Committed to bringing a National Football League team to the city of Houston, McNair formed Houston NFL Holdings in 1998. On October 6, 1999, the NFL announced that the 32nd NFL franchise had been awarded to McNair.

McNair serves as chairman of The McNair Group, headquartered in Houston, where he oversees an investment portfolio that includes interests in two cogeneration plants in the eastern United States. McNair owns Palmetto Partners, Ltd., and RCM Financial Services, L.P., private investment entities that manage the McNairs’ private and public equity investments, and is a member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame.

Committed to bringing a National Football League team to Houston, McNair formed Houston NFL Holdings in 1998. On Oct. 6, 1999, the NFL announced that the 32nd NFL franchise had been awarded to McNair, returning football to the city of Houston in 2002. McNair’s efforts brought Super Bowl XXXVIII to Reliant Stadium in 2004.

The Texans had their first playoff season in 2011, their 10th in the NFL. They went 10-6 in the regular season, won their first AFC South title and advanced to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Head coach Gary Kubiak, whom McNair retained after a 6-10 season in 2010, led the team through a glut of injuries to key players. The Texans clinched their division and won a Wild Card playoff game over Cincinnati with a rookie third-string quarterback, T.J. Yates, at the helm. Kubiak orchestrated the league’s second-ranked rushing offense, while new Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips guided the NFL’s second-ranked defense. In 2012, the Texans set a team record for victories in 2012, finishing with a 12-4 record in the regular season. They won a Wild Card playoff game and advanced to the Divisional Round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

McNair is actively involved in NFL affairs, serving as chairman of the Finance Committee and as a member of the Audit, Stadium and Expansion committees.

As founder and chairman emeritus of the Texas Bowl, McNair revived Houston’s collegiate bowl game on Dec. 28, 2006. The game now features teams from the Big 12 and Big Ten conferences and on average draws 62,000 fans each year to Reliant Stadium. In 2012, the game between Texas A&M and Northwestern drew 68,395 fans, making it the third-largest non-BCS bowl game in the country. McNair selected DePelchin Children’s Center as the charity beneficiary of the bowl in 2006. DePelchin has been awarded nearly $500,000 and received more than $10 million in promotional value. In April of 2011, Meineke Car Care signed a three-year entitlement deal with the Texas Bowl to make it the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas.

Stonerside Stable, a major thoroughbred horse farm in Kentucky, is also among McNair’s successes. A 1,947-acre thoroughbred horse farm and racing stable, Stonerside was home to more than 275 racehorses, broodmares, yearlings and weanlings. From its inception in 1994, Stonerside won 72 Graded Stakes races including Grade I wins in the Belmont, Breeders’ Cup Mile, the Travers, the Haskell, the Hollywood Gold Cup, the Cigar Mile, the Carter, the Swaps, the Wood Memorial, the Matriarch and the Oak Leaf Stakes. Stonerside also has finished second and third in the Kentucky Derby and was the co-breeder of Fusaichi Pegasus, winner of the Derby in 2000. Stonerside has bred the winners of more than $50 million, including the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Raven’s Pass and 2008 Champion American Juvenile colt Midshipman, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Stonerside was named breeder of the year in 2007 and 2008 by Kentucky horsemen. McNair served on the boards of the Breeders’ Cup and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. He was awarded the Allan Bogan Memorial Award for outstanding services to the Texas Thoroughbred Association. McNair is a member of the prestigious Jockey Club, which governs the sport of thoroughbred racing. In October 2008, McNair sold Stonerside Farm and Racing Stable.

McNair is chairman of The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation in Forest City, N.C., and the Houston Texans Foundation. The McNair Foundation was honored as the 2003 Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and in November 2004, the Foundation was honored by the Houston Independent School District with a Hall of Fame Award. Young Audiences of Houston awarded the Foundation its Houston Community Arts Partner Leadership Award in 2008. The McNair Foundation was honored by the Neuhaus Education Center in March 2012 for its loyal support over the past 15 years. The Foundation was one of several honored at the Mayor’s Literacy Leadership Breakfast in May 2012 for its support of literacy training for adults.

The McNairs have given generously to a wide array of charitable, scientific, literary, educational and religious organizations through The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation. Major support has been given to scholarship programs at Baylor College of Medicine’s MD/ PhD Program, the University of South Carolina, Columbia College, Austin College, Virginia Tech and Houston Community College. Educational initiatives supported include the HISD Fine Arts Program, Project GRAD, Teach for America, Neuhaus Education Center and local charter schools. Contributions to the community include the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat at the Houston Zoo, the jogging trail at Discovery Green, Equestrian Center for the San Jacinto Girl Scouts, McNair Cub Scout Adventure World, the Computer Training Center Room for the United Way, McNair Hall at Houston Baptist University’s Cultural Arts Center and sponsorship of community outreach programs for the Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera.

The McNairs endowed the Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, which currently is held by the founding director, The Honorable Edward P. Djerejian. The McNairs turned their philanthropic focus to medical research in 2007 and gave a transformational gift to establish the McNair Medical Institute at Baylor College of Medicine to fund the McNair Scholars Program, which recruits top physicians/scientists in the fields of juvenile diabetes, breast and pancreatic cancer and the neurosciences. Additional McNair Scholars Programs were established at M.D. Anderson, Menninger Clinic, Texas Children’s Hospital and Texas Heart Institute. One of the McNairs’ more interesting projects supported in 2012 was the adoption of two horses for the Houston Police Department’s Mounted Patrol by contributing annually for their upkeep. The McNairs renamed the horses Texan Star and Cushing 56.

McNair is the recipient of many awards, including the Anti-Defamation League’s Torch of Liberty Award, the Northwood University Outstanding Business Leader Award, the Association for Private Enterprise Education’s Herman W. Lay Memorial Award, the Distinguished American Award from the Houston Chapter of the National Football Foundation, the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Rotary Club of Houston, The South Main Center Association City Builder Award, the Houston Advertising Federation Annual Trailblazer Award recognizing him for significantly enhancing the overall image of Houston both locally and globally, the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, The Denton A. Cooley Leadership Award from the Texas Heart Institute, the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge National Award for Outstanding Patriotism, Responsible Citizenship and Community Involvement and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush Community Impact Award. In June 2005, Rice University announced that the newest building on its campus, the 167,000-square-foot home of the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management, had been officially named Janice and Robert McNair Hall by the Rice board of trustees. In January 2006, the McNairs were the recipients of the Texas Association of Partners in Education Award for the Texas Outstanding Sports Partnership. In October 2007, the Baylor College of Medicine bestowed its first Pink Ribbon Hero Award for Ambassadorship on the McNairs for their support of past Pink Ribbon Houses and for their commitment to the fight against cancer. In April 2009, the McNairs were honored at the annual KIPP Academy dinner as devoted supporters of education for inner-city and underprivileged youth. In May 2009, McNair was named Entrepreneur of the Decade by the Houston Technology Center. In November 2009, McNair was awarded the James A. Baker III Prize for Excellence in Leadership, which recognizes nationally- and internationally-renowned leaders for their excellence in public service and civic life. In December 2009, McNair received the inaugural Rotary Lombardi Humanitarian Award. In February 2010, Janice and Bob McNair received the Encore for Excellence Award from the High School for the Visual and Performing Arts for their support of the fine arts in the Houston Independent School District. In April 2010, the McNairs received the Kezia DePelchin Award for their support of the DePelchin Children’s Center and long history of philanthropic efforts in the Houston area. In May 2010, McNair was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. McNair also is a founder of the Cotswold project, a revitalization project focused on downtown Houston. The Association of Fundraising Professionals honored the McNairs at their National Philanthropy Day Luncheon on Nov. 3, 2010, with their Maurice Hirsch Award for Philanthropy, the highest recognition given to honor an individual or family for their exceptional generosity and outstanding civic and charitable responsibility. The McNairs were selected to be featured as Houston Treasures in “The Social Book – 2011,” a Houston publication. McNair was honored by Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas as a member of the Class of 2011 Laureates, JA Hall of Achievement, in April 2011. Texas Children’s Cancer Center honored the McNairs as the 2011 Community Champions in September 2011. The McNairs were honored to serve as headliners of the Escape Family Resource Center’s annual Celebrity Serve Benefit in April 2012.

McNair is a current or past member of the board of trustees of a number of institutions, including Rice University; Baylor College of Medicine; the Texas Heart Institute; the Houston Grand Opera; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the Greater Houston Partnership; the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Free Enterprise Institute; the Sigma Chi Foundation; the Federal Reserve Banks of Dallas and Houston; and the World Presidents’ Organization.

In 1989 Robert McNair and his wife Janice established the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation. The goal of the foundation was to remove some of the financial barriers that were preventing Rutherford County High school graduates from attending college. The first beneficiaries were the class of 1990. To date, the McNair foundation has awarded approximately $2.6 million in financial aid.

McNair grew up in Forest City, North Carolina, a town of about 7,500 in the foothills of western North Carolina. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, where he was initiated into the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree. His wife, Janice, attended nearby Columbia College.