Tom Hicks, the influential Texas businessman and former owner of the Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, and Liverpool FC, died on March 15, 2025, at the age of 79. Hicks made significant contributions to both the sports and private equity sectors, earning a prominent reputation throughout his career.
Legacy in Sports and Business
Hicks owned the Dallas Stars from 1995 until 2011, during which time the team secured the Stanley Cup in 1999. He also held ownership of the Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2010, leading the team to three American League West Division titles and a notable appearance in the World Series. In 2007, Hicks expanded his portfolio by acquiring a 50% stake in Liverpool FC, one of the most prestigious clubs in the English Premier League.
His impact extended beyond the sports arena. Hicks co-founded Hicks & Haas in 1984 and later established Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst in 1989, playing a key role in reshaping private equity investment strategies. Ross Perot Jr., a fellow Texas businessman, remarked, “Tom Hicks was an innovative businessman and a pioneer in private equity. He combined his commitment to business and sports through his ownership of the Stars and the Rangers.”
A Personal Tribute
In a heartfelt statement, Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, expressed his admiration for Hicks, stating, “Being shoulder to shoulder with him was always about more than ballparks and stadiums. 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 served as a paratrooper in the Army Reserves and held the position of Commissioner of the American Battle Monuments Commission. He was also a member of the University of Texas’s Board of Regents from 1994 to 1999, further demonstrating his commitment to public service.
He is survived by his wife, Cinda Cree Hicks, and their six children: Thomas Ollis Hicks Jr., Mack Hardin Hicks, John Alexander Hicks, Robert Bradley Hicks, William Cree Hicks, and Catherine Forgrave Hicks. In a statement reflecting on their father, the family noted, “Of everything he accomplished in his remarkable life, Tom Hicks’s most cherished title was, ‘Dad.’ No matter the trials and tribulations he faced in life, he was constant in his generosity and love for his family.”
Hicks’s legacy will endure through both his contributions to sports and his deep familial bonds, as his family plans to continue expanding upon his remarkable legacy.
