DALLAS — Tom Hicks, Texas businessman and philanthropist who owned two Dallas-area professional sports franchises and an English Premier League soccer team, died Saturday. He was 79 years old.
Hicks died peacefully surrounded by family in Dallas, spokeswoman Lisa LeMaster said in the statement.
Hicks was owned by the NHL dallas stars From 1995 to 2011, winning the Stanley Cup in 1999. he also owned baseball Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2010, leading them to three American West Division titles and one World Series appearance. In 2007, he acquired a 50% stake in Liverpool.
“However, being side by side with him was always about much more than the ballpark and the stadium,” dallas cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. “It was about personal respect, trust and friendship. We covered many miles together and I will miss him dearly. My condolences to his family.”
Hicks co-founded Hicks & Haas in 1984 and helped reshape private equity and investment strategy. He served on the Board of Regents of the University of Texas from 1994 to 1999.
“Tom Hicks was an innovative businessman and pioneer in private equity,” Texas businessman Ross Perot Jr. said in a statement. “He combined his commitment to business and the game through his ownership of the Stars and Rangers.”
Hicks is survived by his wife of 35 years, Cinda Cree Hicks, and their six children – Thomas Olise Hicks Jr., Mack Hardin Hicks, John Alexander Hicks, Robert Bradley Hicks, William Cree Hicks and Katherine Forgrave Hicks.
His children issued a joint statement saying:
“Of all he accomplished in his remarkable life, Tom Hicks’s fondest title was ‘Dad.’ No matter what trials and tribulations he faced in life, his generosity and love for his family always remained constant. He remains a guiding force for our family and we are deeply honored to continue expanding his legacy. Although we are devastated by this loss, we are very grateful to have had their children.”
