GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Former Minnesota Vikings team owner and businessman Billy Joe "Red" McCombs has died at the age of 95, his family confirmed Monday.
McCombs, who owned the Vikings from 1998 until 2005, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 19 "surrounded by family who loved and adored him," according to a family statement shared on Facebook.
"Red was a visionary entrepreneur who touched many lives and impacted our community in immeasurable ways. But to us he was always, first and foremost, 'Dad' or 'Poppop,'" the post read.
McCombs owned more than 400 businesses during his lifetime, according to the McCombs Enterprises website, and the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin is named for him. He twice owned the NBA's San Antonio Spurs and between those two ownership stints owned the league's Denver Nuggets and later ventured into the NFL by purchasing the Vikings.
McCombs sold the Minnesota Vikings franchise to Zygi and Mark Wilf for $600 million after initially purchasing the team for $250 million.
“The Minnesota Vikings are saddened by the passing of former team owner Red McCombs. Red embodied his famous “Purple Pride” phrase and remained a staunch Vikings fan after passing the torch to the Wilf family in 2005," the team wrote in a statement. "While Red had a clear passion for sports, it was evident what he loved the most were his children and grandchildren. Our thoughts and prayers are with the McCombs family during this difficult time. We will be forever grateful for Red and Charline’s contributions to the Vikings.”
The Texas billionaire was born in 1927 and opened his first car dealership in 1953 before starting Red McCombs Automotive Group, one of the largest in the U.S.
McCombs also played a big role in Formula One’s return to the United States. He was one of the largest investors in the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, the first purpose-built F1 racetrack in the U.S. and host of the U.S. Grand Prix since 2012.
The Texas circuit and annual grand prix were pivotal for the global racing series' efforts to establish and grow a significant presence in the U.S. Formula One will race three times in the country in 2023, in Austin and Miami and the debut of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Dallas Cowboys owner and fellow billionaire Jerry Jones called McCombs an inspiration and “a true Texas titan across sports, media, business and philanthropy.”
“Red’s determination, accomplishments and positive spirit will live forever as he embodied a relentless and passionate approach to life, relationships and community,” Jones said.
McCombs is survived by daughters Lynda McCombs, Marsha Shields and Connie McNab, as well as eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were not announced.
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