Malcolm Glazer

Glazer was born in Rochester, New York, the fifth of seven children of Lithuanian Jewish immigrants, Abraham and Hannah Glazer.[2][3] He began working in his father's watch parts business at age 8. At 15, when his father died, he entered the business world. Glazer sold watches door to door to help support his family.[4] Reuters quoted Glazer as once remarking that his father's death "was probably the most tragic thing that ever happened in my life, but it was good in one way" because "it made me a man."[5] He briefly attended Sampson College in Romulus, New York before committing himself full-time to jewelry and watch repair. A small man with a reddish beard, he was referred to in the news media as "the leprechaun".[5]

Glazer obtained the watch repair concession at the Sampson Air Force Base.[2] In 1956, after the base closed, he expanded into real estate investing in single-family homes, duplexes, and commercial buildings in Rochester, eventually owning commercial real estate across America.[2] In 1963, he bought the National Bank of Savannah in upstate New York.[2] In 1973, he bought the first of five health care facilities he was to own, the West Hill Convalescent Center in Hartford, Connecticut.[2] In 1976, he purchased three television stations for $20 million including WRBL in Columbus, Georgia.[2] In 1984, he founded First Allied Corporation, a holding company for his various endeavors[2] where he served as president and chief executive officer.[6] First Allied invested in a diverse portfolio of international holdings and public companies including: Zapata Corporation, Houlihan's Restaurant group, Harley-Davidson, Formica, Tonka Toys, Specialty Equipment and Omega Protein.

Glazer first gained national business attention in 1984, when he launched an unsuccessful $7.6 billion bid to buy the government-controlled freight rail company, Conrail.[7] He was later the largest shareholder of kitchen designer Formica in 1988 and, later, with motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson.[8][9] Glazer achieved control of Zapata Corporation, an oil and gas company founded by George H. W. Bush. Glazer successfully diversified it into fish protein and Caribbean supermarkets.

Glazer owned a diverse portfolio of investments, which included food service equipment, food packaging and food supplies, marine protein, broadcasting, health care, property, banking, natural gas and oil, the Internet, stocks and bonds.[5]

Peter King wrote of Glazer's "quiet legacy," saying "Glazer was a stealth owner if there ever was one. The longtime owner of the Bucs, he bought them from Hugh Culverhouse in 1995, very seldom spoke publicly. Tampa Bay won one Super Bowl under Glazer's ownership, the Jon Gruden-led title 12 years ago, after Glazer made the difficult decision to fire Tony Dungy and go with new blood. But it's Dungy who is part of Glazer's real legacy, both to the Bucs and to the game. The Glazers, in their two decades as owners, have hired three African-American coaches—Dungy, Raheem Morris and Lovie Smith. No other owner in NFL history has hired as many African-American coaches. That should be the significance of Glazer's run in the NFL—he was colorblind at a time when many teams, and owners, in the league were not. "Yes, it is notable, Dungy said over the weekend. "He hired me when there was still trepidation by some people. And he may not have made the final decision on Lovie, but he set the tone in the organization and he put the mindset in his sons to look at people impartially. He and I had many conversations about relationships and how you treat others. That was very important to him." No one around the NFL will remember many impassioned speeches by Glazer. But his actions spoke louder. The league should hold him up as an example of hiring the best guy."[15]

"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."[16]

In addition to his business ventures, Glazer was also involved in philanthropic efforts. He launched the Glazer Family Foundation in 1999, which is dedicated to assisting charitable and educational causes in the Tampa Bay community. During its existence, the foundation has donated millions in programs, tickets, grants and in-kind contributions. The foundation donated $5 million toward the construction of the Glazer Children's Museum in downtown Tampa, which opened on September 25, 2010.[17]

Glazer also oversaw the operations of the far-reaching Glazer Family Foundation's Vision Program, created in 2006 to provide school children with an opportunity to have vision problems identified in schools at an early age. The initiative, highlighted by the Vision Mobile, visits schools and provides eye examinations to thousands of disadvantaged children.[18]

Glazer's charitable activities also included the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, an organization that promotes amateur sports activities. Glazer committed $2 million to the Commission.[19]

Glazer married his wife, Linda, in 1961.[20] They lived in Palm Beach, Florida, and had five sons and one daughter:[21]

• Avram Glazer, Co-Chairman of Manchester United.[22]
• Kevin E. Glazer
• Bryan Glazer, vice-president at First Allied Corporation and Co-Chairman of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[23]
• Joel Glazer, vice-president at First Allied and Co-Chairman of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United[24]
• Darcie S. Glazer Kassewitz, Co-President of the Glazer Family Foundation.[25]
• Edward S. Glazer, Director of Manchester United, Co-Chairman of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Co-Chairman of First Allied Corporation, Chairman and Owner of US Property Trust, Co-President of The Glazer Family Foundation.[26]

The Glazers attended the Palm Beach Synagogue in Palm Beach, Florida.[27][28]

Glazer died aged 85 on May 28, 2014, as announced by his team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[12][29] Glazer had been in poor health since suffering two strokes in April 2006.[30]

• Hyman, Mark (March 15, 2004). "A Sports Mogul And A Mystery". Business Week. Retrieved December 7, 2008.
• Legard, Jonathan (April 11, 2006). "In search of the Glazers". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved December 7, 2008.

• Glazer Family Foundation