Bob McNair
Robert C. McNair | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Forest City, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | November 23, 2018 (aged 81) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, philanthropist, NFL team owner |
| Known for | Founder and original owner of the Houston Texans |
| Spouse | Janice McNair |
| Children | 4 (including Cal McNair) |
Robert C. McNair (January 1, 1937 – November 23, 2018) was a prominent American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the original owner who founded the National Football League's Houston Texans franchise.
Early life and education
Raised in the small western North Carolina town of Forest City, North Carolina, McNair completed his undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1958. During his time there, he was affiliated with the Sigma Chi fraternity. His spouse, Janice, pursued her education at nearby Columbia College.
Professional career
In 1960, the McNairs made Houston, Texas their home. After initial challenges in sales and entrepreneurship, McNair achieved notable success by founding Cogen Technologies, a cogeneration enterprise established in 1984, which he later sold to Enron in 1999. At the time of his passing, he maintained ownership of power generation facilities located in New York and West Virginia. He held the positions of chairman and CEO at The McNair Group, a Houston-based company specializing in finance and real estate, and also controlled Palmetto Partners, Ltd., a private investment firm managing the McNairs' equity holdings. In 2000, he launched Cogene Biotech Ventures, a biotechnology-focused investment company where he served as chairman.
McNair showed interest in acquiring football clubs in the United Kingdom; he toured Birmingham City F.C.’s St Andrews stadium during its period of sale and led a group bidding for Reading F.C. in January 2014, although that effort did not succeed.
Forbes estimated McNair's net worth at $3.8 billion as of November 2017.
Houston Texans owner
Motivated to bring back NFL football to Houston after the Oilers' departure in 1996, McNair founded Houston NFL Holdings in 1998. The NFL granted him its 32nd franchise on October 6, 1999, resulting in the creation of the Houston Texans, who commenced competition in 2002. The Texans captured their inaugural AFC South championship in 2011 and went on to secure four division titles within six seasons. McNair was instrumental in securing Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004) and Super Bowl LI (2017) for Houston's NRG Stadium.
On October 29, 2017, following McNair’s contentious "inmates running the prison" comment made during an NFL owners meeting concerning anthem demonstrations, most Texans players kneeled during the national anthem ahead of a game against the Seattle Seahawks. McNair subsequently issued an apology, explaining that his remark was directed at league office and owner dynamics rather than players. This event marked the first occasion that Texans players participated in kneeling during the anthem.
Public service and recognition
A member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame, Robert McNair contributed to various boards including those of Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Grand Opera, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Center for the American Idea. On September 12, 2007, he pledged $100 million to Baylor College of Medicine aimed at attracting top-tier scientists and physicians. He was honored with the Anti-Defamation League's Torch of Liberty Award and played a significant role supporting Sigma Chi's Horizons leadership program. Additionally, he donated over $1 million to complete McNair Field—the home venue for his hometown’s collegiate summer baseball team, the Forest City Owls. In 1998, he and his family established the McNair Scholar Program at the University of South Carolina. The university awarded Robert McNair an honorary doctor of humane letters degree in 1999.
Robert and Janice McNair Foundation
Created in 2015, the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation supports the development of entrepreneurship centers at various universities throughout the United States. By September 2016, it had successfully launched centers at Columbia College, Northwood University, Houston Baptist University, the University of St. Thomas, and the University of South Carolina. Additionally, it established a research hub at Rice University's Baker Institute.
Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation
Founded in 1989 by Robert and Janice McNair, this foundation focuses on easing financial challenges for graduates of Rutherford County High School who seek higher education. Since its founding, it has provided nearly $2.6 million in scholarships and financial assistance.
Political contributions
Between January 1, 2009, and September 30, 2015, McNair was the largest contributor to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, donating a total of $1,502,500. He also financially supported multiple other Republican candidates. In 2015, McNair contributed $10,000 to an organization opposing a Houston equal rights ordinance but retracted this donation following public backlash.
Personal life and death
Robert McNair and his wife Janice were parents to four children: two sons, Cal and Cary, and two daughters, Ruth and Melissa.
He passed away on November 23, 2018, after enduring a prolonged struggle with skin cancer. During his last months, he stepped back significantly from managing team affairs. Following his passing, Janice McNair assumed the role of principal owner of the Texans and represents the franchise at owners’ meetings. Their son Cal McNair served as president and CEO, overseeing daily operations until Janice transferred principal ownership to him in 2024.