Norman Braman

Norman Braman
Born	(1932-08-23) August 23, 1932 West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Car dealer, art collector, businessman
Known for	Former owner of the Philadelphia Eagles

Norman Braman (born August 23, 1932) is an American billionaire known for his career as a car dealer, art collector, and as the former owner of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Early life and education

Born in 1932 in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Braman was raised in Philadelphia’s Cobbs Creek neighborhood, where his father operated a barbershop. His family background traces to Jewish immigrants from Europe; his mother, originally from Romania, worked as a seamstress, while his father, a native of Poland, was a barber. During his teenage years, Braman served as a water boy at the Eagles’ training camp located in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Throughout the football season, he often sneaked into Shibe Park to watch the games. He completed his secondary education at West Philadelphia High School and earned a business administration degree from Temple University in 1955.

Career

Braman’s professional journey began in 1955 when he worked as a market research analyst for Seagram's Distributors. A few years later, he advanced to an executive role at Bargaintown U.S.A., a company owned by his father-in-law in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. This business evolved into Keystone Discount Stores, a self-service variety store chain within the Philadelphia region. In the mid-1960s, Braman orchestrated a merger between Keystone and Philadelphia Laboratories, forming Philadelphia Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics (PP&C), where he became president and CEO. Under his leadership, PP&C acquired Vitamix Pharmaceuticals, F.A. Martin and Company, and U.S. Cocoa Corporation. He resigned from PP&C in 1969 to explore other ventures.

File:Bugatti Veyron @ Braman Motors, Miami FL - panoramio.jpg

A Bugatti Veyron displayed at one of Braman's Miami dealerships

Braman entered the automotive industry in 1972 by purchasing a controlling stake in Sharpe-Taylor Cadillac located in Tampa, Florida. Early in this phase of his career, he received mentorship from fellow Philadelphia native and renowned car dealer Victor Potamkin. In 1975, Braman acquired Nolan Brown Cadillac in Miami, Florida. The following year marked his entry into import brands with the acquisition of C.R. Berry Motors, representing BMW and Rolls-Royce, which he relocated adjacent to his Miami Cadillac dealership. By 1980, Braman had established dealerships for Cadillac, BMW, Rolls-Royce, Fiat, Lancia, and Toyota along Miami’s Biscayne Boulevard.

Expanding his automotive enterprises beyond South Florida into Colorado, Braman currently chairs Braman Management—a parent company overseeing his dealership network across Florida and Colorado. These dealerships represent luxury and mainstream brands including Acura, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Cadillac, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Porsche, and Rolls-Royce.

Beyond retail dealerships, Braman held majority ownership of Austin Rover Cars of North America (ARCONA), which distributed Sterling automobiles imported to the U.S. starting in 1987. The company was renamed Sterling Motor Cars in 1989 but ceased operations by 1991 due to disappointing sales of the Rover 800 Series-based Sterling 825/827 models.

As reported by Forbes in July 2022, Braman's estimated net worth stands at approximately US$2.6 billion.

Philadelphia Eagles

In April 1985, Braman, together with his brother-in-law Ed Leibowitz, acquired ownership of the Philadelphia Eagles from Leonard Tose for an estimated $65 million. Initially, Braman held a 65% stake in the franchise, while Leibowitz owned the remaining 35%. By July 1986, Braman purchased Leibowitz’s share, becoming the sole owner. Under Braman’s leadership, the Eagles qualified for the playoffs in 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1992, and secured the NFC East division title in 1988. Despite boasting notable players such as Keith Jackson, Reggie White, Eric Allen, and Seth Joyner, the team did not advance to the Super Bowl during his tenure. The 1993 offseason saw Braman permit several free agents to depart; notably, White signed a four-year contract with the Green Bay Packers. Shortly thereafter, the Eagles signed Tim Harris to a three-year deal worth $4.7 million. White later expressed regret over not having the chance to retire as an Eagle. Joyner criticized Braman for prioritizing financial considerations over competitive success.

Braman was responsible for dismissing head coach Buddy Ryan in January 1991 and appointing offensive coordinator Rich Kotite as his replacement—a decision partly influenced by quarterback Randall Cunningham’s advocacy. The only other contender considered was defensive coordinator Jeff Fisher. As early as 1987, Braman had contemplated firing Ryan due to his rigid coaching style and insistence on full control over the roster. Ryan’s support of players during the strike that year contrasted with his lack of focus on assembling a replacement squad, which subsequently lost all three games. Upon announcing Ryan’s termination in 1991, Braman stated, "It is time to stop being a bridesmaid and become a bride." Additionally, Braman implemented policies such as charging players for their equipment—a practice uncommon among NFL teams—and maintained high team profits while limiting expenditures on training camps and scouting efforts.

On April 6, 1994, Braman agreed to sell the Eagles to a consortium led by film producer Jeffrey Lurie. The transaction was reportedly valued at $185 million, setting a new record for sports franchise sales at that time. As someone who never resided full-time in Philadelphia, Braman commented during the announcement, "I live in Miami and traveling the 16 weeks in the fall -- well, there's more to life than the National Football League."

Politics

In September 1981, Ronald Reagan put forward Braman as a candidate to head the Immigration and Naturalization Services. However, prior to the commencement of Senate hearings in November 1981, Braman chose to retract his nomination, explaining that he needed to dedicate his attention to his business interests.

Braman played a financial role in backing a recall election targeting Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez, motivated by a substantial rise in property taxes and salary increases awarded to Alvarez's senior staff. On March 15, 2011, nearly 90% of Miami-Dade County voters participating in the election favored recalling the mayor, marking one of the most decisive recall outcomes in American electoral history.

In 2012, Braman created political organizations with a budget of $440,000 aimed at opposing four sitting Miami-Dade County commissioners. His campaign efforts concentrated on their endorsement of the contentious Marlins Park initiative and a property tax increase enacted in 2010.

Braman was an advocate for Marco Rubio, contemplating an investment ranging from Template:USD10 million to Template:USD25 million to support Rubio’s 2016 presidential bid. In Rubio’s autobiography acknowledgments, he expresses gratitude for Braman’s backing. Additionally, Braman has employed Rubio’s wife, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio, at the family’s philanthropic foundation at various times.

Philanthropy

Norman Braman and his wife, Irma, founded the Norman and Irma Braman Family Foundation, which is dedicated mainly to supporting global initiatives in healthcare and education.

As an avid art enthusiast, Braman holds the position of president at the Irma and Norman Braman Art Foundation, an organization committed to promoting arts and cultural activities within the Miami region.

Personal life

Norman Braman is married to Irma Braman (née Miller). Together, they have two daughters: Debra Wechsler and Suzi Lustgarten.

External links

• Norman Braman: Eagles Owner Los Angeles Times