Gerald Phipps
Gerald Phipps (March 4, 1915 – August 6, 1993) was a businessman, President of Gerald H. Phipps, Inc., a construction company, and owner of the Denver Broncos American football club from 1961 to 1981.[1]
Phipps and Cal Kunz purchased the Broncos from founder Bob Howsam in May 1961.[2] Phipps was chairman of the National Football League Finance Committee from 1970 to 1981.[3] During Phipps's tenure as owner, the Broncos earned their first trip to the Super Bowl (in 1978) participating in Super Bowl XII and saw a significant rise in Denver Broncos popularity, called "Broncomania".[4][5] In 1985, Phipps became the first non-player to be inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame.[6] He is also a member of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.[6]
Phipps was also the owner of the Denver Bears minor league baseball team.[7] He was a director of Rocky Mountain Empire Sports Inc., which owned the Denver Bears minor league baseball team from 1947 to 1984 [3]
References
- ↑ DenverBroncos.com – Official Website Of The Denver Broncos
- ↑ Kansas City Chiefs - History - AFL Origins
- 1 2 "Gerald H. Phipps, Football Team Owner, 78". The New York Times. 8 August 1993.
- ↑ MHR Broncos History Lesson - firstfan Interview - Mile High Report
- ↑ Boccard: Broncomania now and then : Opinion : Boulder Daily Camera
- 1 2 Colorado Sports Hall of Fame
- ↑ Denver: A baseball town - The Denver Post