DALLAS – Tom Hicks, a prominent figure in Texas business and philanthropy, passed away on Saturday at the age of 79. He was well-known for his ownership of two Dallas-area professional sports teams and an English Premier League soccer club.

According to spokesperson Lisa LeMaster, Hicks died peacefully in Dallas, surrounded by his family.

Hicks played a significant role in the sports community, owning the NHL’s Dallas Stars from 1995 to 2011, during which time the team secured a Stanley Cup victory in 1999. He also owned the Texas Rangers baseball team from 1998 to 2010, guiding them to three American League West Division titles and a World Series appearance. In 2007, he broadened his sports portfolio by acquiring a 50% stake in Liverpool F.C.

Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, reflected on his relationship with 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.”

Beyond sports, Hicks made substantial contributions to the field of private equity. He co-founded Hicks & Haas in 1984 and later Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst in 1989, both of which played pivotal roles in reshaping investment strategies within the sector.

“Tom Hicks was an innovative businessman and a pioneer in private equity,” fellow Texas businessman Ross Perot Jr. said in a statement. “He combined his commitment to business and sports through his ownership of the Stars and the Rangers.”

Hicks served as paratrooper in the Army Reserves and was Commissioner of the American Battle Monuments Commission. He served on the University of Texas’s Board of Regents from 1994 to 1999.

Hicks is survived by his wife of 35 years, Cinda Cree Hicks, and his six children — Thomas Ollis Hicks Jr., Mack Hardin Hicks, John Alexander Hicks, Robert Bradley Hicks, William Cree Hicks and Catherine Forgrave Hicks.

His children released a joint statement, saying:

“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. 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 profoundly grateful to have been his children.”

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