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| George N. Gillett Jr.: Co-President in club 2007 - |
 George N. Gillett Jr.
Job Title: Co-President
Date of Birth: 22.10.1938
With the Reds: 2007-
Arrived from:
Signed for LFC: 06.02.2007
Contract expiry:
Birthplace: 
George N. Gillett Jr.
& Thomas O Hicks 6 February 2007 |
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STAFF PROFILE
Building his fortune through sports franchises and meat production with an
estimated fortune of $860 million (J436million GBP), Gillett and his wife Rose live in
Vail, Colorado and have four sons: George III, Alexander and twins Foster and Andrew (the
latter twin is the only son not involved in the family business.
Biography
Gillett attended Amherst College and is a graduate of Dominican College in Racine,
Wisconsin.
In 1979 he launched Gillett Communications by buying three small television
stations. Three years later he bought the WSM television station in Nashville. In 1984
Gillett acquired Post Corporation's eight television stations, 22 newspapers and
associated plant; the non-broadcast assets were sold to Thomson Corporation and other
buyers. In 1987 he acquired Storer Broadcasting using Kohlberg Kravis Roberts junk bonds,
after the FCC lifted restrictions on ownership.
In 1985 Gillett acquired Vail Associates' Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts,
creating a new era with focus on customer service, Gillett redefined the ski experience
and what it meant to be a world class resort. George would often ride chairlifts and
greeting guests, and launched a massive installation of high-speed detachable chairlifts
thereby kick-starting the growth that would put Vail on the map as America's number one
ski destination. Gillett also supported major alpine ski events at a time when most ski
areas in American declined to host international races, starting with the 1989 World
Alpine Ski Championships, and through his support hosted the 1999 World Alpine Ski
Championships.
Gillett's companies sought Chapter 11 protection in 1992 as higher interest rates
penalised junk bond issuers. Gillett's media arm was reorganised as New World
Communications under the control of Ronald Perelman.
Other interests
Gillett's other business interests include:
Sports - after a failed bid in 2000 with Pat Bowlen
and John Elway to buy the NBA Denver Nuggets, NHL Colorado Avalanche and Pepsi Center; on
2 January 2000 Gillett bought an 80% interest in the NHL Montreal Canadiens and their home
the Bell Centre (formerly the Molson Centre) for US$185 million[5] Gillett also owns the
sports and entertainment promoter the Gillett Entertainment Group
Auto Dealership - Silverthorne Motors, Inc., an
automotive dealerships with franchisee's for Subaru, Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep
Northland Services Inc. - a marine transportation
company
Great Northern Bark and Sierra Organics - landscaping
and gardening products company
Liverpool Football Club
Since October 2006, Gillett had been one of the parties interested in a proposed
takeover of England's most successful and English Premiership football club Liverpool FC.
On January 22-26, 2007, Reports stated that Gillett had made another bid for
Liverpool. On 31 January 2007, Dubai International Capital announced they had pulled out
of the deal, giving Gillett the opportunity to buy the club from David Moores. On 2
February, Gillett and Tom Hicks reached a deal with the club, which was sealed on 6
February, thought to be worth in the region of J435 million: J220 million to buy out
existing shareholders (including approximately J44.8 million of debt), and J215 million
for the new stadium proposed at close-by Stanley Park. The Board unanimously recommended
that the Club’s shareholders accept this offer.
Commenting on the offer, George Gillett and Tom Hicks said: “Liverpool is a
fantastic club with a remarkable history and a passionate fanbase. We fully acknowledge
and appreciate the unique heritage and rich history of Liverpool and intend to respect
this heritage in the future. The Hicks family and the Gillett family are extremely excited
about continuing the Club’s legacy and tradition". He also referred to the club as
the "Liverpool Reds" and a "franchise". Rick Parry attributed this to
a linguistic mistake.
Update 12.09.2006 |
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