Robert C. Wetenhall
Bob Wetenhall | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Carl Wetenhall Sr. 14 February 1935 Rye, New York, U.S. |
| Died | 3 September 2021 (aged 86) Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, investment banker, sports team owner |
| Known for | Owner of the Montreal Alouettes (1997–2018) |
Robert Carl "Bob" Wetenhall Sr. (February 14, 1935 – September 3, 2021) was a prominent American entrepreneur best recognized for his ownership of the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League from 1997 through 2018.
Biography
Originating from Rye, New York, Wetenhall completed his studies at Princeton University before embarking on a career in investment banking, where he co-established McConnell Wetenhall Inc. He held a minority stake in the Boston Patriots during the AFL-NFL merger era and was involved with a North American soccer franchise during the 1970s. In 1997, he purchased the Montreal Alouettes, under whose leadership the team reached eight Grey Cup finals and won three titles (2002, 2009, 2010) across a span of 14 years. Due to declining team performance, reduced attendance, and financial challenges by 2019, Wetenhall handed over control of the Alouettes to the league to enable a transition to new ownership.
In recognition of his contributions to restoring the Alouettes and enhancing Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, Wetenhall was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by McGill University in 2011. He was also inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2015. Wetenhall died at age 86 at his residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
External links
- 1935 births
- 2021 deaths
- Businesspeople from Milwaukee
- American investment bankers
- American sports businesspeople
- American company founders
- Canadian Football Hall of Fame inductees
- Montreal Alouettes owners
- New England Patriots owners
- North American Soccer League (1968–1984) executives
- Boston Patriots
- Princeton University alumni