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Added more detail on his early business ventures and Texas Stadium/ NFL Innovations. I'm working on procuring a source for the last two paragraphs under NFL Innovations. Everything else is sourced. His middle name is Williams not William and Jane's middle name was spelled incorrectly. Added and sourced additional awards and information about his disease.
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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Clint Murchison Jr.
| name = Clint Murchison Jr.
| image =
| image =
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| caption =
|birth_name={{nowrap|Clinton William Murchison Jr.}}
| birth_name = {{nowrap|Clinton Williams Murchison Jr.}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1923|09|12}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1923|09|12}}
| birth_place = [[Dallas]], Texas, U.S.
| birth_place = [[Dallas]], Texas, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1987|03|30|1923|09|12}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1987|03|30|1923|09|12}}
| death_place = Dallas, Texas
| death_place = Dallas, Texas
| resting_place = [[Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery]], North Dallas
| resting_place = [[Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery]], North Dallas
| resting_place_coordinates =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| education = [[Duke University]], [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]]
| education = [[Duke University]], [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]]
| occupation = Businessman
| occupation = Businessman
| known_for = [[Dallas Cowboys]]
| known_for = [[Dallas Cowboys]]
| party =
| party =
| spouse = {{ubl|Jane Catherine Coleman|Anne Ferrell Brandt}}
| spouse = {{ubl|Jane Katherine Coleman|Anne Ferrell Brandt}}
| children = 3 sons, 1 daughter<!--with Jane:<br>1) Clint W. III, 2) Burk,<br>3) Coke Anne, 4) Robert-->
| children = 3 sons, 1 daughter<!--with Jane:<br>1) Clint W. III, 2) Burk,<br>3) Coke Anne, 4) Robert-->
| parents = [[Clint Murchison Sr.]] & Anne Morris
| parents = [[Clint Murchison Sr.]] & Anne Morris
| boards = Dallas Cowboys
| boards = Dallas Cowboys
| awards = 2x Super Bowl champion
| awards = 2x Super Bowl champion
Texas Sports Hall of Fame
Texas Business Hall of Fame
Herbert Hoover Humanitarian Award
}}
}}
⚫
'''Clinton William Murchison Jr.''' (September 12, 1923 – March 30, 1987) was a businessman and founder of the [[Dallas Cowboys]] football team.<ref name=dcfdrdies>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_PAeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jyQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4753%2C81099 |newspaper=Times-News |location=Hendersonville, North Carolina |agency=Associated Press |title=Dallas Cowboys founder dies |date=April 1, 1987 |page=18 }}</ref><ref name=nytobit>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/01/obituaries/cw-murchison-jr-dies-in-texas-at-63.html?pagewanted=1 | work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Frank |first=Peter H. |date=April 1, 1987 |title=C.W. Murchison Jr. dies in Texas at 63|accessdate=April 12, 2016}}</ref>


⚫
'''Clinton Williams Murchison Jr.''' (September 12, 1923 – March 30, 1987) was a businessman and founder of the [[Dallas Cowboys]] football team.<ref name=dcfdrdies>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_PAeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jyQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4753%2C81099 |newspaper=Times-News |location=Hendersonville, North Carolina |agency=Associated Press |title=Dallas Cowboys founder dies |date=April 1, 1987 |page=18 }}</ref><ref name=nytobit>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/01/obituaries/cw-murchison-jr-dies-in-texas-at-63.html?pagewanted=1 | work=[[The New York Times]] |last=Frank |first=Peter H. |date=April 1, 1987 |title=C.W. Murchison Jr. dies in Texas at 63|accessdate=April 12, 2016}}</ref>
⚫
A son of [[Clint Murchison Sr.]] who made his first fortune in oil exploration and became notorious for exploiting the sale of "[[Panama Refining Co. v. Ryan|hot oil]]", Junior and his surviving brother inherited their father's wealth and business interests to which Clint Jr. added ventures of his own. These included the establishment of the [[NFL]]'s [[Dallas Cowboys]] franchise and financing the offshore [[pirate radio]] station called [[Radio Nord]].

⚫
A son of [[Clint Murchison Sr.]] who made his first fortune in oil exploration and became notorious for exploiting the sale of "[[Panama Refining Co. v. Ryan|hot oil]]", Clint and his surviving brother inherited their father's wealth and business interests to which Clint Jr. added ventures of his own. These included the establishment of the [[NFL]]'s [[Dallas Cowboys]] franchise, real estate development, construction, home building, restaurants and financing the offshore [[pirate radio]] station called [[Radio Nord]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
Murchison had two brothers, John D. Murchison (1921–1979) and Burk Murchison (1925–1936), who died at age ten from a childhood disease. His mother died when he was two and he was mainly raised by an aunt. He attended school at Lawrenceville Prep and then became a student at [[Duke University]] where he graduated [[Phi Beta Kappa]] in [[electrical engineering]]. He received a master's degree in [[mathematics]] from [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] (MIT).
Murchison had two brothers, John D. Murchison (1921–1979) and Burk Murchison (1925–1936), who died at age ten from a childhood disease. His mother died when he was two and he was mainly raised by an aunt. He attended school at Lawrenceville Prep and then became a student at [[Duke University]] as part of the [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] V-12 training program<ref name="nytobit" /> where he graduated [[Phi Beta Kappa]] in [[electrical engineering]]. He received a master's degree in [[mathematics]] from [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] (MIT).


==Business career==
==Business career==
Following the death of his father [[Clint Murchison Sr.]], John and Clint Jr. inherited the wealth that their father had created. They began doing business as the Murchison Brothers in the late 1940s from an office in [[Dallas]], [[Texas]]. Their inherited interests included the [[Daisy Outdoor Products|Daisy Manufacturing Company]] (manufacturing a [[BB gun]]); ''[[Field and Stream]]'' magazine; [[Henry Holt and Company]] (later known as Holt, Rinehart, and Winston); Delhi Oil and a marine construction company known as Tecon Corporation.
Following the death of his father [[Clint Murchison Sr.]], John and Clint Jr. inherited the wealth that their father had created. They began doing business as the Murchison Brothers in the late 1940s from an office in [[Dallas]], [[Texas]]. Their inherited interests included the [[Daisy Outdoor Products|Daisy Manufacturing Company]] (manufacturing a [[BB gun]]); ''[[Field and Stream]]'' magazine; [[Heddon|Heddon Rod & Reel]]; [[Henry Holt and Company]] (later known as Holt, Rinehart, and Winston); Delhi Oil; Kirby Petroleum and a marine construction company known as Tecon Corporation.


In 1952, Murchison joined a syndicate that included [[Everette Lee DeGolyer]] and [[Jack Crichton (Texas businessman)|Jack Crichton]], both of Dallas, to use connections in the government of General [[Francisco Franco]] to obtain drilling rights in [[Spain]]. The operation was handled by Delta Drilling, owned by Joe Zeppa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/MDcrichton.htm|title=Jack Alston Crichton|publisher=spartacus.schoolnet.co|accessdate=April 8, 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226195848/http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/MDcrichton.htm|archivedate=February 26, 2009|df=}}</ref>
In 1952, Murchison joined a syndicate that included [[Everette Lee DeGolyer]] and [[Jack Crichton (Texas businessman)|Jack Crichton]], both of Dallas, to use connections in the government of General [[Francisco Franco]] to obtain drilling rights in [[Spain]]. The operation was handled by Delta Drilling, owned by Joe Zeppa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/MDcrichton.htm|title=Jack Alston Crichton|publisher=spartacus.schoolnet.co|accessdate=April 8, 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226195848/http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/MDcrichton.htm|archivedate=February 26, 2009|df=}}</ref>

In addition to the Dallas Cowboys, The Murchison Family businesses included [[PulteGroup|Centex Corporation]] (home builders), [[Daisy Outdoor Products|Daisy Air Rifles]], ''Field & Stream'' magazine and the [[Tony Roma's|Tony Roma’s]] restaurant chain.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/24009958|title=Classic Clint : the laughs and times of Clint Murchison, Jr.|last=Dick.|first=Hitt,|date=1992|publisher=Wordware Pub|isbn=1556221460|location=Plano, Tex.|oclc=24009958}}</ref>

In the early 1960s the Murchisons were involved in a proxy fight with Allan P. Kirby over control of [[Alleghany Corporation]], a holding company whose interests included [[New York Central Railroad]] and [[Ameriprise Financial|Investors Diversified Services]], a large mutual fund company. The proxy fight was the largest in corporate history.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bedingfield|first=Robert|date=April 5, 1961|title=New Efforts...|url=|journal=New York Times|volume=|pages=|via=}}</ref>   


==Dallas Cowboys founding owner==
==Dallas Cowboys founding owner==
In 1960, the National Football League approved a franchise for Dallas, and Murchison, along with Bedford Wynne, was the franchisee or license holder. A motivating factor in the NFL's decision to award a license for Dallas was the establishment of the [[American Football League]] (AFL) by [[Lamar Hunt]], another Dallas area businessman. Hunt, in helping create the AFL, established a professional football presence in Dallas, and the NFL realized the urgency with which they needed to address a potential market gain by the upstart league and a loss for the established organization.
In 1960, the National Football League approved a franchise for Dallas, and Murchison, along with Bedford Wynne, was the franchisee or license holder. A motivating factor in the NFL's decision to award a license for Dallas was the establishment of the [[American Football League]] (AFL) by [[Lamar Hunt]], another Dallas area businessman. Hunt, in helping create the AFL, established a professional football presence in Dallas, and the NFL realized the urgency with which they needed to address a potential market gain by the upstart league and a loss for the established organization.


For the most part, Murchison was a hands-off owner, delegating a great deal of operational control of the Cowboys to General Manager [[Tex Schramm]], Coach [[Tom Landry]] and Scouting/Personnel Director [[Gil Brandt]]. His general attitude was to hire experts and let them execute the aspect of the business that fell in their expertise. Hence, Landry enjoyed absolute authority over the day-to-day running of the actual team; Brandt was unhindered in the area of drafting and scouting players, and Schramm oversaw many of the team's day to day administrative concerns. This laissez faire attitude has been credited by many Cowboys fans as the driving force in the team's 20 consecutive winning seasons from 1966–1985 (including two [[Super Bowl]] championships). By not interfering with his coaches and staff, Murchison did not create an atmosphere of second guessing and arguments over player selection or credit for the team's success.
For the most part, Murchison was a hands-off owner, delegating a great deal of operational control of the Cowboys to General Manager [[Tex Schramm]], Coach [[Tom Landry]] and Scouting/Personnel Director [[Gil Brandt]]. His general attitude was to hire experts and let them execute the aspect of the business that fell in their expertise. Hence, Landry enjoyed absolute authority over the day-to-day running of the actual team; Brandt was unhindered in the area of drafting and scouting players, and Schramm oversaw many of the team's day to day administrative concerns. This laissez faire attitude has been credited by many Cowboys fans as the driving force in the team's 20 consecutive winning seasons from 1966–1985 (including five Super Bowl appearances and including two [[Super Bowl]] championships). By not interfering with his coaches and staff, Murchison did not create an atmosphere of second guessing and arguments over player selection or credit for the team's success.

Murchison suggested hiring [[Tom Landry]] away from his job as a defensive coach with the [[New York Giants]]. “I would love to take one percent credit for Landry,” Schramm said, “but I can’t."<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/93548|title=The Dallas Cowboys and the NFL,|last=E.|first=Chipman, Donald|date=[1970]|publisher=[University of Oklahoma Press]|others=Campbell, Randolph,, Calvert, Robert, 1922-|isbn=0806109203|location=[Norman],|oclc=93548}}</ref>

As the team floundered through their first few seasons and critics called for Landry’s firing, Murchison backed his coach by handing him a 10-year contract.<ref name=":0" />

Murchison enjoyed a reputation as a practical joker.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/24807813|title=Tom Landry : an autobiography|last=Tom.|first=Landry,|date=1990|publisher=HarperPaperbacks|others=Lewis, Gregg A.|isbn=0061040576|location=New York, N.Y.|oclc=24807813}}</ref> On the eve of the Dallas Cowboys’ first Super Bowl he wrote to coach Tom Landry, “Dear Tom: I have taught you all I can. From on, you’re on your own.”<ref name=":0" />   

⚫
In 1984, Murchison with his health failing<ref name=":0" /> sold the Dallas Cowboys to an investment syndicate led by [[Bum Bright]], a Dallas area businessman who had a background in banking/financial services and in oil/gas production. Bright in turn sold the Cowboys to [[Jerry Jones]] in 1989 following several losing seasons.

Dallas sportswriter [[Blackie Sherrod]] attributed the Cowboys’ success to two rare possessions of Clint Murchison: a bottomless pocketbook and patience.<ref name=":1" />

== Building Texas Stadium ==
The Cowboys played at the [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]] in Dallas since their inception in [[1960 Dallas Cowboys season|1960]]. With the team becoming more successful in the mid-1960s, Clint Murchison, Jr. wanted a new stadium for the team. Unable to strike a bargain with the City of Dallas, he elected to build a new stadium in [[Irving, Texas]].<ref name=":0" />

Murchison worked with architects to create a revolutionary design for a football-only stadium that would feature a roof that would cover all the seats, but leave an open field to keep the elements as part of the game.<ref name=":0" />

Cowboys Linebacker [[D. D. Lewis (linebacker, born 1945)|D.D. Lewis]] said, “Texas Stadium has a hole in its roof so God can watch His favorite team play.”

Texas Stadium was the first NFL stadium to use seat option bonds to help pay construction costs. The bonds were in denominations of $250.<ref name=":0" /> Better seats required the purchase of multiple bonds with the best seats requiring the purchase of four bonds for a total of $1,000. The rest of the financing was provided by Murchison and no taxpayer money was used. “Not one old lady on Social Security is going to have her taxes raised because of this stadium,” Murchison said. <ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/488424|title=The Dallas Cowboys: winning the big one.|last=Steve.|first=Perkins,|date=[1972]|publisher=Grosset & Dunlap|isbn=0448020807|location=New York,|oclc=488424}}</ref>

[[Texas Stadium]] was the first dedicated football stadium to offer luxury suites. The Circle Suites were available for purchase for $50,000 for the life of the stadium. The suites were an immediate status sensation.<ref name=":0" /> Over the years the suites increased in value including one trading hands for a million dollars. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/1983/november/how-it-is-suite/|title=HOW IT IS SUITE|website=D Magazine|language=en|access-date=2018-04-16}}</ref>

Murchison’s luxury suite often played host to famous guests including [[Willie Nelson]], [[Clint Eastwood]], [[Jerry Jeff Walker]], [[Norman Lear]], [[Burt Reynolds]], [[Henry Kissinger]] and [[Lyndon B. Johnson|Lyndon Johnson]].<ref name=":0" />

== NFL Innovations ==
Murchison, with his MIT background, understood the potential of using computers in football. The Cowboys became first team to use computers in talent scouting. The Cowboys used an [[IBM System/360|IBM 360]] Model 65 computer.<ref name=":0" />

As part of the agreement to build Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, Murchison gave up ownership of the stadium and the 95 acres on which it sat in exchange for a 40-year lease. He retained the management rights to the stadium. This became a model for how other NFL teams would operate stadiums.


In 1985, Murchison designed, constructed and financed a 30-acre campus-style headquarters for the Dallas Cowboys called [[Valley Ranch, Irving, Texas|Valley Ranch]] located in Irving, Texas. The first of its kind in the NFL, it was originally intended to be part of a 160-acre mixed use development.
⚫
In 1984, Murchison sold the Dallas Cowboys to an investment syndicate led by [[Bum Bright]], a Dallas area businessman who had a background in banking/financial services and in oil/gas production. Bright in turn sold the Cowboys to [[Jerry Jones]] in 1989 following several losing seasons.


==Radio Nord==
==Radio Nord==
Line 45: Line 81:
Radio Nord broadcast in Swedish for 16 months, between March 8, 1961 and June 30, 1962. With its mix of popular music, DJ's and news, Radio Nord became very popular. Despite politics and religious issues being banned at the station, it was stopped when the Swedish government introduced new legislation in the spring of 1962, criminalizing the act of buying commercials on the station.
Radio Nord broadcast in Swedish for 16 months, between March 8, 1961 and June 30, 1962. With its mix of popular music, DJ's and news, Radio Nord became very popular. Despite politics and religious issues being banned at the station, it was stopped when the Swedish government introduced new legislation in the spring of 1962, criminalizing the act of buying commercials on the station.


The ship ''Bon Jour'' was later renamed {{ship|MV|Mi Amigo||2}}, and after docking for almost a year in [[Galveston, Texas]] she sailed for southern England to become [[Radio Atlanta]] (McLendon began his radio career in the small town of [[Atlanta, Texas]]). The station was not a financial success, and joined forces with the [[Radio Caroline|Caroline organization]] to become the southern station of Radio Caroline. Within a short period of time the "Project Atlanta" people sold out completely to the Caroline group.<ref>{{cite book |last=Patoski |first=Joe Nick |date=2012 |title= The Dallas Cowboys: The Outrageous History of the Biggest, Loudest, Most Hated, Best Loved Football Team in America |url=https://library.hcplonline.org/Mobile/BakerAndTaylor/Excerpt?ISBN=9780316077552&UPC=&position=1 |publisher=Little Brown and Company |isbn=978-0316077552 }}</ref>
The ship ''Bon Jour'' was later renamed {{ship|MV|Mi Amigo||2}}, and after docking for almost a year in [[Galveston, Texas]] she sailed for southern England to become [[Radio Atlanta]] (McLendon began his radio career in the small town of [[Atlanta, Texas]]). The station was not a financial success, and joined forces with the [[Radio Caroline|Caroline organization]] to become the southern station of Radio Caroline. Within a short period of time the "Project Atlanta" people sold out completely to the Caroline group.<ref name=":1">{{cite book |last=Patoski |first=Joe Nick |date=2012 |title= The Dallas Cowboys: The Outrageous History of the Biggest, Loudest, Most Hated, Best Loved Football Team in America |url=https://library.hcplonline.org/Mobile/BakerAndTaylor/Excerpt?ISBN=9780316077552&UPC=&position=1 |publisher=Little Brown and Company |isbn=978-0316077552 }}</ref>


==Bankruptcy==
==Bankruptcy==
Murchison ran into financial difficulties as a result of questionable investments and mismanagement at a time when the real estate market was collapsing, at the same time as a sharp decrease in the price of [[oil]]. In February 1985, he had to file for [[personal bankruptcy]] protection after three creditors, the [[Toronto-Dominion Bank]], the Kona-Post Corporation and [[Citicorp]], filed a petition to force him into bankruptcy. Lawyers involved in the case called it one of the largest personal bankruptcy cases in United States history.<ref name=nytobit/>
Murchison ran into financial difficulties as a result of questionable investments and mismanagement and failing health<ref name="nytobit" /> at a time when the real estate market was collapsing, at the same time as a sharp decrease in the price of [[oil]] and a rise in interest rates<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fedprimerate.com/wall_street_journal_prime_rate_history.htm|title=United States Prime Rate History|website=www.fedprimerate.com|access-date=2018-04-16}}</ref>. In February 1985, he had to file for [[personal bankruptcy]] protection after three creditors, the [[Toronto-Dominion Bank]], the Kona-Post Corporation and [[Citicorp]], filed a petition to force him into bankruptcy. Lawyers involved in the case called it one of the largest personal bankruptcy cases in United States history.<ref name=nytobit/>


==Death==
==Death==
Murchison fought a nerve disease and was in a wheelchair in his final years.<ref name=dcfdrdies/> He died of pneumonia in 1987 at age 63 in Dallas,<ref name=nytobit/> and is buried at [[Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery]] in North Dallas.
Murchison fought a rare nerve disease called [[olivopontocerebellar atrophy]]<ref name=":0" /> and was in a wheelchair in his final years.<ref name=dcfdrdies/> He died of pneumonia in 1987 at age 63 in Dallas,<ref name=nytobit/> and is buried at [[Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery]] in North Dallas.


==Awards and honors==
==Awards and honors==
*Two-time [[Super Bowl]] champion ([[Super Bowl VI|VI]], [[Super Bowl XII|XII]]) as owner of the Cowboys
*Two-time [[Super Bowl]] champion ([[Super Bowl VI|VI]], [[Super Bowl XII|XII]]) as owner of the Cowboys
*Texas Business Hall of Fame (1984)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.texasbusiness.org/?page=legends|title=Texas Business Legends - Texas Business Hall of Fame|website=www.texasbusiness.org|access-date=2018-04-16}}</ref>
*Herbert Hoover Humanitarian Award (1984)<ref name=":0" />
*Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2010)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tshofinductees.org/product-page/clint-murchison-jr|title=Clint Murchison Jr.|last=|first=|date=|website=Texas Sports Hall of Fame|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=April 16, 2018}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 63: Line 102:
* [[The Big Rich]] - the rise and fall of the greatest Texas oil fortunes, by [[Bryan Burrough]]. The Penguin Press, New York, 2009. {{ISBN|978-1-59420-199-8}}
* [[The Big Rich]] - the rise and fall of the greatest Texas oil fortunes, by [[Bryan Burrough]]. The Penguin Press, New York, 2009. {{ISBN|978-1-59420-199-8}}
* [http://people.com/archive/anne-murchison-found-clint-oil-money-and-the-cowboys-werent-enough-without-god-vol-12-no-18/ Anne Murchison Found Clint, Oil Money and the Cowboys Weren't Enough—Without God]
* [http://people.com/archive/anne-murchison-found-clint-oil-money-and-the-cowboys-werent-enough-without-god-vol-12-no-18/ Anne Murchison Found Clint, Oil Money and the Cowboys Weren't Enough—Without God]
* Hitt, Dick (1992). ''Classic Clint: The Laughs and Times of Clint Murchison, Jr.'' Wordware Publishing. ISBN 1-55622-146-0
* Perkins, Steve (1972). ''The Dallas Cowboys: Winning The Big One''. Grosset & Dunlap. ISBN 0-448-02080-7
* Chipman, Donald, et al (1970). ''The Dallas Cowboys and the NFL''. University of Oklahoma Press. <nowiki>ISBN 0-8061-0920-3</nowiki>   
* Landry, Tom (1990). ''Tom Landry: An Autobiography''. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0-06-104057-6
* St. John, Bob (1988).''Tex! The Man Who Built The Cowboys''. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-911975-2


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 22:11, 16 April 2018

Clint Murchison Jr.
Born
Clinton Williams Murchison Jr.

(1923-09-12)September 12, 1923
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
DiedMarch 30, 1987(1987-03-30) (aged 63)
Dallas, Texas
Resting placeSparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, North Dallas
EducationDuke University, MIT
OccupationBusinessman
Known forDallas Cowboys
Board member ofDallas Cowboys
Spouses
  • Jane Katherine Coleman
  • Anne Ferrell Brandt
Children3 sons, 1 daughter
ParentClint Murchison Sr. & Anne Morris
Awards2x Super Bowl champion

Texas Sports Hall of Fame Texas Business Hall of Fame

Herbert Hoover Humanitarian Award

Clinton Williams Murchison Jr. (September 12, 1923 – March 30, 1987) was a businessman and founder of the Dallas Cowboys football team.[1][2]

A son of Clint Murchison Sr. who made his first fortune in oil exploration and became notorious for exploiting the sale of "hot oil", Clint and his surviving brother inherited their father's wealth and business interests to which Clint Jr. added ventures of his own. These included the establishment of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys franchise, real estate development, construction, home building, restaurants and financing the offshore pirate radio station called Radio Nord.

Early life

Murchison had two brothers, John D. Murchison (1921–1979) and Burk Murchison (1925–1936), who died at age ten from a childhood disease. His mother died when he was two and he was mainly raised by an aunt. He attended school at Lawrenceville Prep and then became a student at Duke University as part of the Marine Corps V-12 training program[2] where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in electrical engineering. He received a master's degree in mathematics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Business career

Following the death of his father Clint Murchison Sr., John and Clint Jr. inherited the wealth that their father had created. They began doing business as the Murchison Brothers in the late 1940s from an office in Dallas, Texas. Their inherited interests included the Daisy Manufacturing Company (manufacturing a BB gun); Field and Stream magazine; Heddon Rod & Reel; Henry Holt and Company (later known as Holt, Rinehart, and Winston); Delhi Oil; Kirby Petroleum and a marine construction company known as Tecon Corporation.

In 1952, Murchison joined a syndicate that included Everette Lee DeGolyer and Jack Crichton, both of Dallas, to use connections in the government of General Francisco Franco to obtain drilling rights in Spain. The operation was handled by Delta Drilling, owned by Joe Zeppa.[3]

In addition to the Dallas Cowboys, The Murchison Family businesses included Centex Corporation (home builders), Daisy Air Rifles, Field & Stream magazine and the Tony Roma’s restaurant chain.[4]

In the early 1960s the Murchisons were involved in a proxy fight with Allan P. Kirby over control of Alleghany Corporation, a holding company whose interests included New York Central Railroad and Investors Diversified Services, a large mutual fund company. The proxy fight was the largest in corporate history.[5]   

Dallas Cowboys founding owner

In 1960, the National Football League approved a franchise for Dallas, and Murchison, along with Bedford Wynne, was the franchisee or license holder. A motivating factor in the NFL's decision to award a license for Dallas was the establishment of the American Football League (AFL) by Lamar Hunt, another Dallas area businessman. Hunt, in helping create the AFL, established a professional football presence in Dallas, and the NFL realized the urgency with which they needed to address a potential market gain by the upstart league and a loss for the established organization.

For the most part, Murchison was a hands-off owner, delegating a great deal of operational control of the Cowboys to General Manager Tex Schramm, Coach Tom Landry and Scouting/Personnel Director Gil Brandt. His general attitude was to hire experts and let them execute the aspect of the business that fell in their expertise. Hence, Landry enjoyed absolute authority over the day-to-day running of the actual team; Brandt was unhindered in the area of drafting and scouting players, and Schramm oversaw many of the team's day to day administrative concerns. This laissez faire attitude has been credited by many Cowboys fans as the driving force in the team's 20 consecutive winning seasons from 1966–1985 (including five Super Bowl appearances and including two Super Bowl championships). By not interfering with his coaches and staff, Murchison did not create an atmosphere of second guessing and arguments over player selection or credit for the team's success.

Murchison suggested hiring Tom Landry away from his job as a defensive coach with the New York Giants. “I would love to take one percent credit for Landry,” Schramm said, “but I can’t."[6]

As the team floundered through their first few seasons and critics called for Landry’s firing, Murchison backed his coach by handing him a 10-year contract.[4]

Murchison enjoyed a reputation as a practical joker.[7] On the eve of the Dallas Cowboys’ first Super Bowl he wrote to coach Tom Landry, “Dear Tom: I have taught you all I can. From on, you’re on your own.”[4]   

In 1984, Murchison with his health failing[4] sold the Dallas Cowboys to an investment syndicate led by Bum Bright, a Dallas area businessman who had a background in banking/financial services and in oil/gas production. Bright in turn sold the Cowboys to Jerry Jones in 1989 following several losing seasons.

Dallas sportswriter Blackie Sherrod attributed the Cowboys’ success to two rare possessions of Clint Murchison: a bottomless pocketbook and patience.[8]

Building Texas Stadium

The Cowboys played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas since their inception in 1960. With the team becoming more successful in the mid-1960s, Clint Murchison, Jr. wanted a new stadium for the team. Unable to strike a bargain with the City of Dallas, he elected to build a new stadium in Irving, Texas.[4]

Murchison worked with architects to create a revolutionary design for a football-only stadium that would feature a roof that would cover all the seats, but leave an open field to keep the elements as part of the game.[4]

Cowboys Linebacker D.D. Lewis said, “Texas Stadium has a hole in its roof so God can watch His favorite team play.”

Texas Stadium was the first NFL stadium to use seat option bonds to help pay construction costs. The bonds were in denominations of $250.[4] Better seats required the purchase of multiple bonds with the best seats requiring the purchase of four bonds for a total of $1,000. The rest of the financing was provided by Murchison and no taxpayer money was used. “Not one old lady on Social Security is going to have her taxes raised because of this stadium,” Murchison said. [9]

Texas Stadium was the first dedicated football stadium to offer luxury suites. The Circle Suites were available for purchase for $50,000 for the life of the stadium. The suites were an immediate status sensation.[4] Over the years the suites increased in value including one trading hands for a million dollars. [10]

Murchison’s luxury suite often played host to famous guests including Willie Nelson, Clint Eastwood, Jerry Jeff Walker, Norman Lear, Burt Reynolds, Henry Kissinger and Lyndon Johnson.[4]

NFL Innovations

Murchison, with his MIT background, understood the potential of using computers in football. The Cowboys became first team to use computers in talent scouting. The Cowboys used an IBM 360 Model 65 computer.[4]

As part of the agreement to build Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, Murchison gave up ownership of the stadium and the 95 acres on which it sat in exchange for a 40-year lease. He retained the management rights to the stadium. This became a model for how other NFL teams would operate stadiums.

In 1985, Murchison designed, constructed and financed a 30-acre campus-style headquarters for the Dallas Cowboys called Valley Ranch located in Irving, Texas. The first of its kind in the NFL, it was originally intended to be part of a 160-acre mixed use development.

Radio Nord

Murchison funded radio entrepreneur Gordon McLendon to create a floating commercial (pirate radio) station called Radio Nord aboard the motor vessel Bon Jour, anchored in the Stockholm archipelago. Murchison and McLendon remained in the shadows and allowed Murchison's long-time friend Robert F. Thompson to take credit for actual ownership while day-to-day management was vested in Swedish-Finnish businessman Jack S. Kotschack.

Radio Nord broadcast in Swedish for 16 months, between March 8, 1961 and June 30, 1962. With its mix of popular music, DJ's and news, Radio Nord became very popular. Despite politics and religious issues being banned at the station, it was stopped when the Swedish government introduced new legislation in the spring of 1962, criminalizing the act of buying commercials on the station.

The ship Bon Jour was later renamed Mi Amigo, and after docking for almost a year in Galveston, Texas she sailed for southern England to become Radio Atlanta (McLendon began his radio career in the small town of Atlanta, Texas). The station was not a financial success, and joined forces with the Caroline organization to become the southern station of Radio Caroline. Within a short period of time the "Project Atlanta" people sold out completely to the Caroline group.[8]

Bankruptcy

Murchison ran into financial difficulties as a result of questionable investments and mismanagement and failing health[2] at a time when the real estate market was collapsing, at the same time as a sharp decrease in the price of oil and a rise in interest rates[11]. In February 1985, he had to file for personal bankruptcy protection after three creditors, the Toronto-Dominion Bank, the Kona-Post Corporation and Citicorp, filed a petition to force him into bankruptcy. Lawyers involved in the case called it one of the largest personal bankruptcy cases in United States history.[2]

Death

Murchison fought a rare nerve disease called olivopontocerebellar atrophy[4] and was in a wheelchair in his final years.[1] He died of pneumonia in 1987 at age 63 in Dallas,[2] and is buried at Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in North Dallas.

Awards and honors

  • Two-time Super Bowl champion (VI, XII) as owner of the Cowboys
  • Texas Business Hall of Fame (1984)[12]
  • Herbert Hoover Humanitarian Award (1984)[4]
  • Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2010)[13]

References

  1. ^ a b "Dallas Cowboys founder dies". Times-News. Hendersonville, North Carolina. Associated Press. April 1, 1987. p. 18.
  2. ^ a b c d e Frank, Peter H. (April 1, 1987). "C.W. Murchison Jr. dies in Texas at 63". The New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  3. ^ "Jack Alston Crichton". spartacus.schoolnet.co. Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Dick., Hitt, (1992). Classic Clint : the laughs and times of Clint Murchison, Jr. Plano, Tex.: Wordware Pub. ISBN 1556221460. OCLC 24009958.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Bedingfield, Robert (April 5, 1961). "New Efforts...". New York Times.
  6. ^ E., Chipman, Donald ([1970]). The Dallas Cowboys and the NFL,. Campbell, Randolph,, Calvert, Robert, 1922-. [Norman],: [University of Oklahoma Press]. ISBN 0806109203. OCLC 93548. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Tom., Landry, (1990). Tom Landry : an autobiography. Lewis, Gregg A. New York, N.Y.: HarperPaperbacks. ISBN 0061040576. OCLC 24807813.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ a b Patoski, Joe Nick (2012). The Dallas Cowboys: The Outrageous History of the Biggest, Loudest, Most Hated, Best Loved Football Team in America. Little Brown and Company. ISBN 978-0316077552.
  9. ^ Steve., Perkins, ([1972]). The Dallas Cowboys: winning the big one. New York,: Grosset & Dunlap. ISBN 0448020807. OCLC 488424. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "HOW IT IS SUITE". D Magazine. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
  11. ^ "United States Prime Rate History". www.fedprimerate.com. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
  12. ^ "Texas Business Legends - Texas Business Hall of Fame". www.texasbusiness.org. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
  13. ^ "Clint Murchison Jr". Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 16, 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)

Further reading

  • The Murchisons - the rise and fall of a Texas dynasty, by Jane Wolfe. St.Martin's Press, New York, 1989. ISBN 0-312-03404-0
  • The Big Rich - the rise and fall of the greatest Texas oil fortunes, by Bryan Burrough. The Penguin Press, New York, 2009. ISBN 978-1-59420-199-8
  • Anne Murchison Found Clint, Oil Money and the Cowboys Weren't Enough—Without God
  • Hitt, Dick (1992). Classic Clint: The Laughs and Times of Clint Murchison, Jr. Wordware Publishing. ISBN 1-55622-146-0
  • Perkins, Steve (1972). The Dallas Cowboys: Winning The Big One. Grosset & Dunlap. ISBN 0-448-02080-7
  • Chipman, Donald, et al (1970). The Dallas Cowboys and the NFL. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 0-8061-0920-3   
  • Landry, Tom (1990). Tom Landry: An Autobiography. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0-06-104057-6
  • St. John, Bob (1988).Tex! The Man Who Built The Cowboys. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-911975-2
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