Steinbrenner family
The Steinbrenner family are an American family of Irish-German descent. They have owned the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball since George Steinbrenner purchased the franchise in 1973. After George's death, Hal Steinbrenner, his son, became the chairman of the Yankees. The Steinbrenner family also has financial interests in real estate, horse racing, and car racing. Forbes estimated the Steinbrenner family to be worth $3.8 billion in 2015, making them the 75th richest family in the United States.[1]
First generation
Businessman George Steinbrenner owned the American Ship Building Company and served as its chairman, as well as purchasing sports franchises. He led a group that bought the New York Yankees from CBS in 1973 for $10 million ($68,635,682 in current dollar terms). He sold two garages included in the sale, reducing the purchase price to $8.8 million ($60,399,400 in current dollar terms).[2] He invested $168,000 of his own money ($1,153,079 in current dollar terms) in the sale.[3] In 2009, Forbes estimated the Yankees to be worth $1.5 billion.[4] Steinbrenner died in July 2010.[3]
George married Joan (née) Zieg on May 12, 1956. Joan was a philanthropist and invested in real estate. Additionally, she served as a vice chairperson for the Yankees. She died in December 2018.[5]
Second generation
George and Joan had four children: Hank, Jessica, Jennifer, Hal.[6] All four serve as general partners for the Yankees.[7]
Hank is the oldest of the four children. He is co-chairman of the Yankees. Hal is the youngest of the four. He is chairman and CEO of Steinbrenner Hotel Properties.[8] He became chairman of the Yankees in 2008, succeeding his father.[9]
Jessica runs Kinsman Farm, a stud farm, in Ocala, Florida.[10] She has also authored children's books.[8] Jessica has been married and divorced three times. Her second marriage was to Joe Molloy, who served as managing general partner of the Yankees in 1992, while George was banned from baseball. Her third husband, Felix Lopez, served as a vice president for the Yankees.[11]
Jennifer majored in business in college and briefly worked in press relations for the Yankees. However, George did not let her rise in the Yankees organization, saying "I've always been a chauvinist."[8] Jennifer married Steve Swindal, who became a general partner in the Yankees and was named George's heir as chairman of the Yankees in 2005. They divorced in 2007, and the Steinbrenner family purchased Swindal's financial interests in the franchise. Jennifer runs the Steinbrenners family's private foundations.[12]
Third generation
George and Joan Steinbrenner's children have had 14 children.[6]
Robert Molloy, the son of Jessica and Joe Molloy, is a film producer. He runs the production company Pinstripe Productions.[13] George Michael Steinbrenner IV, the son of Hank, formed an IndyCar driving team in conjunction with Andretti Autosport in 2017 called Andretti-Steinbrenner Racing. The team competed in the 2017 Indy Lights.[14] In 2018, he formed Harding Steinbrenner Racing with partner Mike Harding, competing in the 2018 IndyCar Series.[15]
Stephen Swindal Jr. works in baseball operations for the Yankees.[16][17] Haley Swindal is a singer and actress. She has performed in Broadway shows.[18]
According to Jennifer, the family wants to own the team for an "eternity".[16] Hal said the family had begun discussing future plans for the family's involvement in the franchise, and that several of George's grandchildren, including Stephen Swindal Jr., George Michael Steinbrenner IV, Robert Molloy, Julia Steinbrenner Vinas (George IV's sister), and Katherine Steinbrenner (Hal's daughter) have all expressed interest in running the Yankees.[19]
References
- ^ Thomas, Carla. "Steinbrenner family". Forbes.com. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ Petruccelli, Justin. "George Steinbrenner's Contribution to the Business of Baseball". Entrepreneur.com. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ a b Shaikin, Bill (July 13, 2010). "George Steinbrenner dies at 80; owner of New York Yankees". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ "George Steinbrenner biography". ESPN.com. July 13, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ Dawson, Anastasia (December 14, 2018). "Yankees matriarch, philanthropist Joan Steinbrenner dies at 83". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ a b Sports, Post (December 14, 2018). "Joan Steinbrenner, wife of late Yankees owner, dies at 83". New York Post. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ Midwest Communications Inc. (December 14, 2018). "Joan Steinbrenner, wife of former Yankees owner George, dies | News | KELO Newstalk 1320 107.9". Kelo.com. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c Juliet Macur (May 2, 2004). "Emotional Steinbrenner Aims To Put All His Houses in Order". New York Times. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ JACK CURRY (November 20, 2008). "Hal Steinbrenner Becomes Yankees' Go-To Guy". New York Times. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ Scheiber, Dave (June 11, 2011). "At this farm, Jessica Steinbrenner is boss". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ Italiano, Laura (August 16, 2015). "Jessica Steinbrenner serves third husband divorce papers". New York Post. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ "Five years after death of 'The Boss,' Steinbrenner family remains committed". Tampa Bay Times. July 13, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ "Steinbrenner grandson to produce two films and a web series in Hillsborough". Tampa Bay Times. December 5, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ Ayello, Jim (August 28, 2017). "George Steinbrenner IV cutting path toward top of IndyCar ownership". USA Today. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ King, George A. (November 28, 2018). "George Steinbrenner IV looking to make mark in another sport". New York Post. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ a b Martin, Dan (January 18, 2017). "Steinbrenners want to own Yankees for 'eternity'". New York Post. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ Hoch, Bryan (May 24, 2018). "Steinbrenners committed to owning Yankees". MLB.com. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ Gioia, Michael (April 7, 2014). "Jekyll & Hyde Actress Haley Swindal Will Play To Win at 54 Below". Playbill. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ "Hal Steinbrenner says family has no intention of selling New York Yankees". ESPN.com. March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
External links
- Litsky, Frank (March 30, 2007). "BASEBALL; The Steinbrenner Family". New York Times.