Tom Hicks

Tom Hicks (born February 7, 1946) is an American private equity investor and sports team owner. He is best known for his controversial ownership of sports teams, particularly Liverpool Football Club and the Texas Rangers.

Hicks co-founded the investment firm Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst (later HM Capital Partners), which specialized in leveraged buyouts of companies in various industries, including media, food, and manufacturing.

His sports ownership ventures include:

• Texas Rangers (MLB): Hicks purchased the Texas Rangers in 1998. His ownership was marked by significant investment in players but ultimately ended in bankruptcy in 2010.
• Dallas Stars (NHL): He owned the Dallas Stars from 1996 to 2011.
• Liverpool Football Club (Premier League): Hicks, along with George Gillett Jr., acquired Liverpool in 2007 in a highly leveraged deal. Their ownership was widely criticized by fans due to mounting debt and a perceived lack of investment in the club. They were eventually forced to sell the club in 2010 to Fenway Sports Group.

Hicks's tenure with Liverpool was particularly fraught with controversy, leading to protests and a breakdown in his relationship with supporters. The debt incurred during his ownership nearly led to the club's insolvency. His business practices and handling of the club are still subjects of debate within football circles.