Malcolm Glazer Passes Away at 85

Manchester United and Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer passed away on /4/28 at the age of 85.

Manchester United and Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer passed away on /4/28 at the age of 85. 

The Buccaneers issued a press release on Glazer’s passing on their official website: 

“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are saddened to announce the passing of owner/president Malcolm Glazer earlier this morning at the age of 85.

“A dynamic business leader, Glazer helped mold the Buccaneers into a model franchise and one respected league-wide. Since being purchased by Glazer in 1995, the Buccaneers franchise has earned seven playoff berths, five playoff wins, and capture its first Super Bowl championship in 2002. 

“Known among his league peers as a pioneering thinker, Glazer infused his team and employees with the determination and dedication to be the best in the NFL. Glazer’s commitment to building a championship organization has provided the foundation for continued success, on and off the field.

“Glazer’s input was instrumental on the league level as well, as evidenced by his time serving on the NFL’s Financial Committee. He also played a major role in Tampa becoming a host for the Super Bowl on several occasions. 

“In 1999, Glazer launched the Glazer Family Foundation, which is dedicated to assisting charitable and educational causes in the Tampa Bay community, highlighted by the opening of the Glazer Children’s Museum in 2010. In its 15 years of existence, the foundation has donated millions in programs, tickets, grants and in-kind contributions. 

“In 2005, Glazer purchased Manchester United. Since then, the club captured five Premier League titles (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013), as well as the 2008 Champions League title.

“Born in Rochester, New York as one of seven children, Glazer took over the family watch-parts business at age 15 following the death of his father and then continued his foray into the professional world, investing in other businesses. 

“Glazer owned or was a substantial shareholder of a diverse portfolio of international holdings and public companies, including: First Allied, Zapata Corporation, Houlihan’s Restaurant Chain, Harley Davidson, Formica, Tonka, Specialty Equipment and Omega Protein. 

“A resident of Palm Beach, Florida, Glazer leaves behind his wife, Linda, six children and 14 grandchildren. 

“Mr. Glazer’s long-established estate succession plan has assured the Buccaneers will remain with the Glazer family for generations to come. Linda Glazer, along with their five sons and daughter, will continue to own and operate the team as they have throughout the family’s ownership.

“A private family funeral service will be held for Mr. Glazer. The opportunity for others to remember and celebrate Mr. Glazer’s life will be announced at a future date.” 

The Tampa Bay Times‘ Chris Tisch chronicles the Buccaneers’ turnaround under Glazer’s leadership. 

“Under Mr. Glazer, the formerly embarrassing Bucs were transformed into one of the most successful franchises in the NFL. He helped bring a long-awaited championship to Tampa Bay when the Bucs defeated the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII in January 2003. 

“His decision to spend generously on players and his willingness to trade an assortment of draft picks and and pay big dollars for coach Jon Gruden contributed greatly to the Bucs winning that championship. 

“‘Malcolm Glazer was the guiding force behind the building of a Super Bowl-champion organization,’ NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. ‘His dedication to the community was evident in all he did, including his leadership in bringing Super Bowls to Tampa Bay. 

“‘Malcolm’s commitment to the Bucs, the NFL and the people of the Tampa Bay region are the hallmarks of his legacy.

“Before Mr. Glazer’s purchase purchase of the Bucs for $192 million from the estate of late owner Hugh Culverhouse in 1995, the franchise was going nowhere. Its combined winning percentage in the 19 seasons before Mr. Glazer’s arrival was a paltry .300. 

“Since then, the Bucs have earned seven playoff berths, five playoff wins and the Super Bowl.”

Several former Buccaneers players spoke highly of Glazer. The first one was linebacker Derrick Brooks, per Tisch. 

“He took a chance on this team. I’ll never forget it. We came here at the same time and he bought this team when people were saying it was probably one of the worst decisions he could made. 

“He sat back and really just the team develop. After all the years of the previous ownership, he had a lot of things to fight against but he stayed the course and helped turn this team around.”

Former Bucs running back Mike Alstott, who is now head coach at Northside Christian n St. Petersburg, Fla., also had nothing but good things to say about Glazer when he spoke with Tisch. 

“I’m stunned. I’m really saddened. Malcolm was a great person, a great owner.

“He was consistent about it (going to the locker room every Sunday and shaking every player’s hand). It was each and every Sunday, he was with us. And the players, we looked forward to that. 

“Mr. Glazer really did a lot to help out our players and the community and to bring a winning tradition. It really did change the Buccaneers forever.”

In The Tampa Bay Times report, former head coach Jon Gruden, who guided the Bucs to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII, said,”He was a genuine, hard-working, one-of-a-kind man. He was a friend, a trailblazer and I’ll miss him.” 

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