From bumpers, to box seats.
This is an incredible story but there's even more to it.
One pivotal meeting catapulted this dishwasher turned auto-parts dealer to build a net worth of ~$8B. Oh, and also own an NFL team.
Here's what went down in that meeting 🧶👇
(thread-ception)
This is an incredible story but there's even more to it.
One pivotal meeting catapulted this dishwasher turned auto-parts dealer to build a net worth of ~$8B. Oh, and also own an NFL team.
Here's what went down in that meeting 🧶👇
(thread-ception)
https://twitter.com/JoePompliano/status/1318709805582778368
1) After growing his auto-parts empire for 20 years, Shahid Khan turned to something else he loved. Football. A sport he was introduced to by his friends in college.
He'd always dreamed of owning his own sports team.
He'd always dreamed of owning his own sports team.
2) In Jan 2008, Georgia Frontiere, majority owner of the St. Louis Rams, passed away. This was Shahid's chance.
Prospective buyers who wanted to take Georgia’s slot wasted no time, immediately calling her children the same day her passing was announced.
But not Shahid.
Prospective buyers who wanted to take Georgia’s slot wasted no time, immediately calling her children the same day her passing was announced.
But not Shahid.
3) He didn’t ask for a meeting. Instead, he waited.
Shahid respected her family and their privacy during this difficult time.
He continued to wait for two months before quietly reaching out and asking, “is it inappropriate to be calling about possibly purchasing the team?”
Shahid respected her family and their privacy during this difficult time.
He continued to wait for two months before quietly reaching out and asking, “is it inappropriate to be calling about possibly purchasing the team?”
4) Georgia’s family took the meeting with Shahid, and he showed them his vision to preserve the Ram's legacy.
He won them over not only by what he said, but because of how he approached setting up that meeting.
“He wanted to be respectful. I was very impressed with that.”
He won them over not only by what he said, but because of how he approached setting up that meeting.
“He wanted to be respectful. I was very impressed with that.”
5) Unfortunately, the deal ended up falling through because another Ram’s owner used a contractual right to match Shahid’s bid.
Shahid was disappointed, but undeterred.
Shahid was disappointed, but undeterred.
6) In Nov 2011, Shahid called up Wayne Weaver, the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Wayne saw Shahid as a passionate fan. Shahid attended the Jaguars season openers and even watched games at a local bar with his son.
Wayne saw Shahid as a passionate fan. Shahid attended the Jaguars season openers and even watched games at a local bar with his son.
7) But Wayne also knew of how Shahid respected and treated Georgia’s family after her passing, even though their agreement didn’t materialize.
That sealed the deal.
That sealed the deal.
8) He bought the Jaguars from Wayne and, in doing so, came into a league of his own.
Shahid became the first minority owner in the NFL.
Shahid became the first minority owner in the NFL.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
