ARLINGTON -- Tom Hicks, who owned both the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars during extremely successful periods of the franchises, died on Saturday at 79.
"Mr. Hicks was a passionate and competitive owner and Texas Rangers fan," the team said in a statement on Sunday. "The club extends its thoughts and prayers to Mr. Hicks’ wife Cinda, his six children and his entire family as they mourn a legendary Texas businessman, philanthropist, and sportsman."
Hicks owned the Rangers from June 1998 to August 2010, winning the American League West of each of the first two seasons of his ownership, including a then-club-record 95 games in 1999.
Hicks facilitated the hirings of general manager Jon Daniels in 2005, manager Ron Washington in ‘07 and team president Nolan Ryan in ‘08. All three were key pieces of the 2010-11 AL-pennant-winning clubs, which were the first two World Series appearances in franchise history.
Hicks and the Rangers made history in December 2000, when they signed Alex Rodriguez to a 10-year, $252 million contract, at that time the largest contract in American professional sports.
Off the field, his ownership led to a number of positive changes for the Rangers organization, including the opening of Riders Field, home of the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders, and the partnership of the Surprise Recreation Complex in Arizona.
Hicks also owned the NHL’s Dallas Stars (1995-2011), who won the Stanley Cup in 1999.
Hicks is survived by his wife, Cinda, and their six children.