Robert Nutting

Robert Nutting
Born March 29, 1962 (1962-03-29) (age 56)
Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
Nationality American
Other names "Bob" Nutting
Alma mater Williams College
Known for Owner of Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball franchise and Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Robert Nutting (born March 29, 1962 in Wheeling, West Virginia) is a businessman and sports team owner. He is currently Chairman of the Board and principal owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a Major League Baseball team. His other business activities include serving as CEO of Ogden Newspapers Inc. and owner of Seven Springs Mountain Resort.[1]

Sports ownership

Nutting became the sixth principal owner in Pirates history on January 12, 2007. He has served as Chairman of the Board and represented his family's interest in the club since 2002.[1]

Nutting led the construction of the Pirates training academy in the Dominican Republic. He also led the efforts to rebuild Pirate City, the Pirates' Spring training complex in Bradenton, Florida, including a new dormitory, clubhouse, staff offices and fifth field. In order to take further advantage of this new facility, Nutting led the purchase of a Florida State League franchise, the Bradenton Marauders. The addition of the Class A-Advanced affiliate was part of an effort to further the development of Pirates minor league players, in addition to rehabilitation assignments for major league players.[2]

Nutting is also chairman of the Pirates' philanthropic affiliate, Pirates Charities, which constructs baseball and softball fields for youth in the Pittsburgh region, in addition to supporting other community organizations.[2]

Criticism

Due to Nutting's perceived tendency to put profits ahead of a competitive product on the field, he is often ranked in both the local press and nationally as one of the worst owners in sports,[3][4] earning the nickname "Bottom-Line Bob".[5][6] Despite being the 10th richest owner in MLB,[5] the Pirates have constantly been in the bottom third of payroll under his direct ownership and that of his predecessor and former business partner Kevin McClatchy when Nutting was a minority partner.[7][8] Following McClatchy turning away Dallas Mavericks owner and Mt. Lebanon native Mark Cuban from buying the team around the time the Nutting family was becoming majority owners,[9] Nutting has also turned down bids by Pittsburgh Penguins owners Mario Lemieux & Ron Burkle, as well as Pittsburgh Steelers minority owner Thomas Tull, insisting that the team isn't for sale.[10][7]

He has been the subject of harsh criticism due to trades made in the 2017-2018 offseason, moving pitcher Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros, and center-fielder Andrew McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants in an apparent fire sale. Following the two trades, Pirates fans began signing a petition on Change.org forcing Nutting to sell the team to someone who would make the team more competitive.[11] The trades, along with similar trades made that offseason by the Miami Marlins, has led to the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) to investigate both teams on whether or not they are using their revenue sharing funds to improve the team's on-field performance, as required in the current collective bargaining agreement.[12] On February 23, 2018, MLBPA filed a formal grievance against the Pirates, Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and Tampa Bay Rays over the teams use of revenue sharing funds, which MLB responded that the claims had "no merit"; the grievance will be heard by an independent arbitrator.[13]

On February 1, 2018, it was reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Weirton Medical Center, a major advertiser for three of Nutting's papers (Weirton Daily Times in Weirton, West Virginia, Herald-Star in Steubenville, Ohio, and The Review in East Liverpool, Ohio), were pulling its ads from the papers over “the failure of the Pirates to craft a deal to keep Andrew McCutchen a Pirate.”[14]

Ogden Newspapers, Inc.

Nutting serves as the President and CEO of Ogden Newspapers, Inc. headquartered in Wheeling, West Virginia. Ogden Newspapers which started as a family company, publishes 40 daily newspapers, multiple weekly newspapers and magazines as well as many phone directories. The company has newspapers and other media forms in 12 states.

Seven Springs Mountain Resort

Nutting is currently the Chairman of Seven Springs Mountain Resort, a four-season resort located approximately 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. In late 2013, Nutting acquired nearby Hidden Valley Resort when it was purchased by Seven Springs.[15]

Personal life

Nutting was born on March 29, 1962 in Wheeling, West Virginia. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. He is a twin-engine aircraft pilot, fly fisherman, and a snow skier. Nutting and his wife, Leslie, have three daughters.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kovacevic, Dejan (13 January 2007). "Nutting becomes Pirates' principal owner". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Robert Nutting, Chairman". Pittsburgh Pirates. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  3. ↑ Pirates' Nutting ranked among worst owners Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (07/30/2007)
  4. ↑ Dunlap To Pirates Owner: Mr. Nutting, It’s Time KDKA-TV (11/03/2016)
  5. 1 2 Sounding off: Let's trade Billionaire Bob Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (02/10/2018)
  6. ↑ Kevin Gorman: Pirates owner Bob Nutting now face of franchise Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (01/20/2018)
  7. 1 2 Steelers minority owner Thomas Tull is not trying to buy the Pirates, source says Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (10/18/2017)
  8. ↑ Nutting balances Pirates' payroll versus tough decisions Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (02/20/2017)
  9. ↑ Pirates tell Mavs' owner Cuban team not for sale ESPN.com (11/07/2005)
  10. ↑ Pirates Owner Rejected Mario Lemieux’s Offer to Buy Team New England Sports Network (01/31/2010)
  11. ↑ Fed up Pirates fans petition MLB to force Pirates owner to sell after recent trades CBS Sports (01/18/2018)
  12. ↑ Why the MLBPA is suspicious about the Marlins’ and Pirates’ revenue-sharing practices SBNation (01/26/2018)
  13. ↑ MLBPA files revenue-sharing grievance against Marlins, A's, Pirates, Rays ESPN.com via Associated Press (02/27/2018)
  14. ↑ Andrew McCutchen trade sparks advertiser boycott in Bob Nutting-owned newspapers Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (02/01/2018)
  15. ↑ "Deeds: Seven Springs pays $7.5 million for Hidden Valley". WTAE. 15 October 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
Preceded by
Kevin McClatchy		 Owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates
2007–present		 Succeeded by
current
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