Wednesday, 04 December 2024

Tim Mara

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2024
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Football Owner
Statistics: 4 NFL Championships (1927, 1934, 1938 & 1956)
Member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
NFL President Joe Carr believed that New York City should have a franchise for the betterment of the league. He was right, of course, but he could not convince his friend and boxing promoter, Bill Gibson, to be the money man for a team in New York. Gibson did, however, introduce Carr to his friend, Tim Mara. Mara jumped at the opportunity.

Mara would become the first owner of the New York Giants, and his presence brought stability to a fluctuating league, and he became an influential force in the NFL. Mara stood up to rival leagues (AFL in 1926 and the AAFC from 1946 to 1949) and keeping the Giants strong in trying times (The Great Depression and World War II) played a large part in the league's growth.

Mara passed away in 1959, and under his leadership, the Giants won four NFL Championships (1927, 1934, 1938 & 1956).

We are proud to nominate Tim Mara for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.