Texas billionaire and former sports team investor Tom Hicks has died at the age of 79.
His company, Hicks Holdings LLC, said he passed away on Saturday in Dallas while surrounded by his family. The statement was shared on Liverpool’s website on Sunday.
Hicks was a major figure in American sports for decades. He owned the NHL’s Dallas Stars from 1995 to 2011, a period that included the club’s 1999 Stanley Cup win. He also took charge of the Texas Rangers baseball team from 1998 to 2010, leading them to a World Series appearance.
In 2007, Hicks bought a 50 per cent stake in Liverpool FC. His time at the Premier League club was marked by financial pressure and internal disputes, which later contributed to the sale of the team.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones paid tribute to him, calling him a “champion of sports” and recalling their long friendship. Jones said, “Tom was a close friend and a great partner. He dreamed big and watching him bring the Stanley Cup here to Dallas was something that I will always cherish. Fans could feel the heartbeat of our teams and our community together… We shared a lot of miles together, and I’ll miss him greatly. My heart goes out to his family.”
Hicks is survived by his wife of 35 years, Cinda Cree Hicks, along with six children and 14 grandchildren.
In a family statement, his relatives said his favourite role in life was being a father. They added, “No matter the trials and tribulations he faced in life, he was constant in his generosity and love for his family.”
