Who was Tom Hicks? Former owner of the Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, and Liverpool FC dies at 79

Tom Hicks was a Texas businessman who played a major role in American and international sports. He died at the age of 79 on Saturday, December 7, in Dallas, Texas. A spokesperson confirmed that Hicks passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by his family.

His death closes the chapter on a life closely tied to sports ownership and high-profile business deals.Many fans knew Tom Hicks as the former owner of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, MLB’s Texas Rangers, and as a major investor in Liverpool FC. Over the years, his decisions shaped teams, stirred debate, and left a lasting mark on Dallas sports.

Tom Hicks shaped sports ownership through the Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, and Liverpool FC

Tom Hicks bought the Dallas Stars in 1995, just two years after the franchise moved from Minnesota to Texas. The biggest moment came in June 1999, when the Stars won the Stanley Cup in Dallas by beating the Buffalo Sabres in Game 6. Brett Hull scored the Cup-winning goal, a year after Hicks signed him as a free agent. The Stars returned to the Stanley Cup Final in 2000, losing to the New Jersey Devils.Before the 2001–02 NHL season, the Stars moved from Reunion Arena to the newly built American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas.

The team later entered bankruptcy and was sold in 2011 to Canadian businessman Tom Gaglardi. In a statement released Sunday, the Stars said Hicks played a major role in the team’s on-ice success and helped grow youth hockey across North Texas.Hicks also owned the Texas Rangers from 1998 to 2010. During his ownership, the team won three American League West titles. One of the most talked-about moments came in December 2000 at MLB’s Winter Meetings in Dallas, when the Rangers signed shortstop Alex Rodriguez to a 10-year, $252 million contract. At the time, it was the largest contract in sports history. Rodriguez later admitted success on the field did not follow, and he was traded to the New York Yankees in February 2004.The Rangers reached their first World Series in October 2010, just weeks after the team was sold. The sale followed a long and public bankruptcy case and ended when an ownership group that included Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan won a court auction with a $590 million bid.In 2007, Tom Hicks expanded overseas by buying a 50 percent stake in Liverpool FC. His time there was followed closely by fans due to growing financial problems at the club.Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones honored Hicks by saying their relationship was built on “respect, trust, and friendship,” adding that he would deeply miss him.Beyond sports, Hicks co-founded Hicks & Haas in 1984 and later Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst in 1989, becoming a major figure in private equity. His influence stretched far beyond the field, touching both business and sports history.Also Read: Bo Bichette Emerges As Surprise Red Sox Option As MLB Insider Lowers Alex Bregman Expectations