Former Liverpool co-owner is dead

Tom Hicks, the Texas billionaire and former sports team owner, has died at the age of 79.

Hicks passed away on Saturday in Dallas, surrounded by his family, according to a statement from Hicks Holdings LLC, shared on the Liverpool FC website on Sunday.

A prominent figure in American sports, Hicks owned the NHL’s Dallas Stars from 1995 to 2011, during which the team won the 1999 Stanley Cup. He also owned Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers between 1998 and 2010, leading them to a World Series appearance.

In 2007, Hicks acquired a 50 percent stake in Liverpool FC, though his time at the club was marked by financial and management disputes, which eventually led to the team’s sale.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones paid tribute to Hicks, describing him as a “champion of sports.” Jones said:

“Tom was a close friend and a great partner. He dreamed big, and watching him bring the Stanley Cup to Dallas was something 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, six children, and 14 grandchildren. His family said that, of all his achievements, his “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,” they added.