Clark Hunt

Clark Hunt

Hunt in 2007
Kansas City Chiefs
Position:	Chairman/Co-owner
Personal information
Born:	(1965-02-19)February 19, 1965 Dallas, Texas,U.S.
Career information
College:	SMU
Career history
As an executive:
Kansas City Chiefs(2005–present) Chairman Kansas City Chiefs (2006–present) Co-owner Kansas City Chiefs (2010–2011) President
Career highlights and awards
3×Super Bowlchampion (LIV,LVII,LVIII)

Clark Knobel Hunt(born February 19, 1965) is an American billionaire and businessman who ischairmanandCEOof theNational Football League(NFL)'sKansas City Chiefsand a founding investor-owner inMajor League Soccer.Hunt is chairman of Hunt Sports Group, where he oversees the operations of the Chiefs,FC Dallasand, formerly, theColumbus Crewof MLS.He is the son of Chiefs founderLamar Huntand his second wifeNorma Hunt,and is the grandson of oil tycoonH. L. Hunt.As of 2023, he had an estimated net worth of $2 billion.

Following the death of his father in 2006, Hunt, his mother, and his siblings inherited legal ownership of the Chiefs. However, as chairman and CEO, Clark is the public face of the ownership group and operating head of the franchise, representing the Chiefs at all owners meetings.Prior to his mother's death in 2023, Hunt owned a 20.5 percent share of the franchise.Under Hunt's leadership, the Chiefs have made the playoffs eleven times, won the AFC West nine times (eight consecutively), and appeared in four Super Bowls, winning three.

Early life and education

Hunt was born on February 19, 1965.He is the son ofNormaandLamar Huntand the grandson of oil tycoonH.L. Hunt.His father founded the Chiefs in 1960 as the Dallas Texans, a charter member of theAmerican Football League,and moved them to Kansas City two years before Clark was born.

After graduating fromSt. Mark's School of Texas,he graduated fromSouthern Methodist Universityin 1987, where he was a captain of SMU's nationally rankedsoccerteam and a two-time Academic All-American. Hunt earned a degree in business administration with a concentration in finance.

Hunt worked for two years as an investment banker withGoldman Sachs.He then returned to Dallas and worked with his father.

Sports career

Major League Soccer and Wizards

One of the driving forces behind the creation ofMajor League Soccer,Hunt helped his father run the Kansas City Wizards until the team, now known asSporting Kansas City,was sold in 2006.

Hunt remains a member of the league's board of governors and owns the MLS club,FC Dallas,and previously owned theColumbus Crewuntil 2013.

Start with Kansas City Chiefs (2005–2008)

Hunt was named chairman of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005.Following the death of his father in 2006, he, his sister, and two brothers inherited ownership of the Chiefs.However, Hunt is the operating head of the franchise; he represents the Chiefs at owners' meetings and has the final say on personnel changes.

After the Chiefs' loss to theNew York Jetsin the 2007 season finale, Chiefs general managerCarl Petersonannounced that both he and head coachHerm Edwardswould return to the Chiefs in 2008.However, Hunt declined to immediately comment on Peterson's status.Hunt spoke out weeks later and stated that the Chiefs were his "No. 1 priority"and that "to have the best chance of success in 2008, having Carl here makes a lot of sense."Hunt wanted to avoid having a new general manager come in with a new head coach, and starting from scratch again.

On December 15, 2008, Hunt announced the resignation of Peterson from his positions as general manager, president, and CEO of the franchise effective the end of the season.Prior to the decision, the Chiefs had a combined record of 9–24 under Hunt's leadership since December 23, 2006.

The official press release stated that Peterson resigned, but Hunt had said the conversation had been ongoing throughout the season.Hunt said his decision to relieve Peterson of duties was not based on what happened the previous day, when the Chiefs lost an 11-point lead in the final 73 seconds and were beaten 22–21 by San Diego, dropping their record to 2–12 on the season.He also said that the fate of head coachHerm Edwardswould be settled after the season when a new general manager would be hired.Hunt said he would split the duties previously held by Peterson and have someone in charge of the business side and someone else in charge of football for the franchise.

Hunt had kept his search for a new general manager almost entirely leakproof, instructing subordinates that only he was to speak on the situation.

Columbus Crew win (2008)

Under Hunt, Columbus Crew won their firstMLS Cupchampionship on November 23, 2008.

In 2013, Hunt Sports Group sold the Columbus Crew to Precourt Sports Ventures, led byAnthony Precourt.

First Chiefs appointments (2009)

On January 13, 2009, Hunt hiredNew England Patriotsvice president of player personnelScott Piolias the new Chiefs general manager. On January 23 the Chiefs fired head coachHerman Edwards,andTodd Haleywas hired as his replacement on February 6.

Chiefs seasons (2009–2012)

Haley'sfirst seasondid not go well, but he did a lot better in hissecond season.Hunt fired Haley on December 12, 2011, after theChiefshad compiled a 5–8 record during the 2011 NFL season. Even though the team won theAFC Westtheyear beforeHaley was replaced by defensive coordinatorRomeo Crennelmid-season. Crennel finished his stint as interim head coach with a 2–1 record, including a win over the previously undefeated, and defending Super Bowl Champions (2011 Green Bay Packers season). On January 9, 2012, Hunt named Crennel the team's permanent head coach.The2012 Chiefsfinished with a 2–14 record, which was the worst in the league and for the first time in franchise history the Chiefs were set to have the first pick in the upcomingdraft.Hunt fired both general manager Scott Pioli and head coach Romeo Crennel following the disastrous2012 season.

Andy Reid and John Dorsey hirings (2013)

ThePhiladelphia Eaglesdecided not to renew head coachAndy Reid's contract after a4–12record, the worst of his 14-year tenure. He began exercising other head coaching opportunities and was highly coveted due to his success. During his 13 years in Philadelphia, Reid went 130–93–1 and made the playoffs 9 times (including oneSuper Bowl appearance). Even though there were 8 available head coaching jobs, Reid chose the Chiefs because he had a lot of respect for the Hunt family and the Chiefs organization. On January 4, 2013, Hunt hired Reid to a 5-year contract. Originally Hunt was going to give Reid full control over all football operations (a similar arrangement to what he had in Philadelphia), but on January 13, 2013, Hunt hiredJohn Dorseyas general manager. Previous to this Dorsey had no general manager experience but was the Director of Football Operations for theGreen Bay Packersand had also worked as a scout in Green Bay. Dorsey and Reid both worked for the Packers from 1992 to 1998 so they had been very familiar with each other. Hunt announced that Reid and Dorsey would have equal say in football operations.

Chiefs return to success (2013–2017)

The2013 Chiefsbounced back and finished 11–5, making the playoffs but losing to theIndianapolis Coltsin the first round of the playoffs. The Chiefs failed to make the playoffs the following year but did still finish the2014 seasonwith a winning record at 9–7. In 2015, Reid's third year the Chiefs improved on their 9–7 record and finished the2015 seasonwith a 11–5 record. 2015 saw the Chiefs win their first playoff game in Hunt's tenure and the first for the franchise since1993,when they defeated theHouston Texansin the wild card round of theplayoffs.The Chiefs however lost in the second round to theNew England Patriotsending their season. The2016 Chiefsfinished with a 12–4 record, the best of Hunt's tenure as head of the franchise and won the AFC West for the second time in his tenure. The Chiefs lost at home to thePittsburgh Steelersin the divisional round of the2016–17 NFL playoffs.Hunt fired general manager John Dorsey on June 22, 2017, due to cap mismanagement. He then promoted Co-Director of Player PersonnelBrett Veach.The Chiefs won the AFC West again in2017and finished with a 10–6 record. They lost to theTennessee Titansin the first round of the2017–18 NFL playoffs.

Path to Super Bowl (2018–present)

The2018 Chiefsfinished with a 12–4 record and clinched a first-round playoff bye for the2018–19 NFL playoffs.The Chiefs won in the divisional round and made theAFC Championshipfor the first time since the 1993 season and were set to host it for the first time in franchise history. They lost in overtime to theNew England Patriots.In2019,the Chiefs finished with a 12–4 record and again hosted the AFC Championship game. This time, however, the Chiefs won their first AFC Championship and brought home theLamar Hunt Trophy,which was named after his father. The Chiefs then went on to winSuper Bowl LIV,the second in their history and their first in 50 years. In his Super Bowl LIV trophy acceptance speech, he paid homage to his father’s trophy acceptance speech 50 years prior stating "It’s a beautiful trophy and I cannot think of a more perfect way to end the NFL's 100th season than receiving this trophy." The only change from his father’s speech was Lamar said "...the AFL's 10th season..." The following season, the Chiefs finished 14–2, setting a franchise record for wins in a season. The Chiefs played inSuper Bowl LV,their second consecutive trip to the Super Bowl, but lost to theTampa Bay Buccaneers9–31, which was the team's largest margin of defeat in four seasons. In2022,the Chiefs finished 14–3 and reached their thirdSuper Bowlin four years. The Chiefs won their second Super Bowl in four years against thePhiladelphia Eagles38–35.In2023,the Chiefs finished 11–6 and reached their fourthSuper Bowlin five years. The Chiefs won their third Super Bowl in five years against theSan Francisco 49ers25–22 becoming the first team to win back to back Super Bowls since theNew England Patriotsin2003and2004.

NFL leadership

In addition to the on-field resurgence of the team, Hunt is a leading voice among NFL owners. In 2019, Hunt was named Chairman of the influential NFL Finance Committee after being a member for seven years. Hunt is a member and former chairman of the NFL International Committee, and is also on the Management Council’s Executive Committee (CEC) and the Personal Conduct Committee. Hunt was instrumental in securing the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement in 2011, and he was one of six members of the NFL Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities.

Personal life

Hunt is married to Tavia Shackles, a formerMiss Missouri Teen USAandMiss Kansas USA.The couple have three children. His daughter, Gracie, was named Miss Kansas USA in 2021, 28 years after her mother won the pageant. Hunt is aChristian.

From 2016 to 2020, Hunt donated $53,675 to Republican candidates and causes.

Hunt has multiple notable relatives due to his grandfatherH. L.having 15 children. These include: his fatherLamar,brotherLamar Jr.,auntsMargaret,Caroline Rose,June,Helen,andSwanee,unclesNelson Bunker,William Herbert,andRay Lee,and cousinHaela Hunt-Hendrix.His motherNorma,who died in 2023, was the only woman to have attended all of the first 57 Super Bowls and died months after attending Super Bowl LVII.

See also

• List of NFL franchise owners
• List of Southern Methodist University people
• List of MLS franchise owners
• List of people from Texas
• Martha Firestone Ford
• Notable alumni of St. Mark's School of Texas
• Green Bay Packers Board of Directors

External links

• Kansas City Chiefs Bio
• Part one of article on Clark
• Part two of article on Clark