USA TODAY International Edition
NFL Giants co-owner Mara dies
New York Giants co-owner Wellington Mara, who went to work for his family’s franchise in 1937 and built it into a cornerstone of the NFL, died at his home
in Rye, N. Y. He was 89. A
member of the Football Hall
of Fame, he was involved
with Giantst eamsth at won
7 ve NFL championships, including two Super Bowls.
Mara also was a key 7 gure in
the 7 nancial development
of the NFL as television
money began to 9 ow during
the 1960s.
“ Wellington Mara represented the heart and soul of
the National Football
League,” NFL Commissioner
Paul Tagliabue said in a
statement. “ He always ensured that the Giants were one of the premiere franchises in sports, but he kept the interests of the league at the forefront.”
“ Wellington Mara ist he face of not only the New York Giants but the NFL,” Giantst ight end Jeremy Shockey said. “ He’s a pioneer and the guy that everybody looksu p to.”
Perhaps his greatest contribution came in the early 1960s. He and brother Jack, owners of the biggest team in the biggest market, agreed to share television revenue on a leaguewide basis, dividing the huge amounts of money available in cities like New York with smaller markets from Pittsburgh to Green Bay.
Mara battled skin cancer much of his life, and he most recently was treated this past spring and summer. He did not attend any exhibition or regularseason gamest hisye ar, spokesman Pat Hanlon said.
After the Giants beat the Denver Broncos 24- 23 two days ago on a touchdown pass with 7 ve seconds left, the players gathered in a circle in the locker room at Giants Stadium and chanted Mara’s nickname, “ Duke.” “ It’s from the name Wellington, the Duke of Wellington,” Mara said several years ago. “ I picked up the nickname when I was around the team. I preferred it to Wellington.”
Mara’s father, Timothy, bought into the NFL for $500 in 1925 and invested $25,000 in the Giants that year. He turned the team over to hiss ons, Jack, 22, and Wellington, 14, in 1930. Jack died in June 1965. When Wellington Mara was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997, the Maras became the 7 rst father and son to be enshrined.
The team declined comment Tuesday in an e- mail on questions of succession. Robert Tisch bought half the team in 1991, and he was diagnosed with brain cancer Aug. 10. Mara: His Giants won two Super Bowls.