Clark Hunt

Clark Knobel Hunt (born February 19, 1965) is Chairman and CEO of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs and a founding investor-owner in Major League Soccer. Hunt also serves as chairman of Hunt Sports Group, where he oversees the operations of FC Dallas and, formerly, the Columbus Crew of MLS. He is the son of Lamar Hunt and the grandson of oil tycoon H.L. Hunt. Following the death of his father Lamar Hunt in 2006, Hunt co-inherited ownership of the Kansas City Chiefs. Clark serves as the ultimate authority as Chairman and CEO.

Early life and education

Clark Knobel Hunt was born on February 19, 1965. He is the son of Lamar Hunt and the grandson of oil tycoon H.L. Hunt. After graduating from St. Mark's School of Texas, he finished first in his class at Southern Methodist University in 1987, where he was a captain of SMU's nationally ranked soccer team and a two-time Academic All-American. Hunt earned a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. He was a two-time recipient of the university's highest academic honor, the Provost Award for Outstanding Scholar.

Business career

Hunt began his business career as an analyst with Goldman Sachs.

Sports career

Major League Soccer and Wizards

One of the driving forces behind the creation of Major League Soccer, Hunt helped his father run the Kansas City Wizards until the team was sold in 2006.

Hunt remains a member of the league's board of governors and owns the MLS club FC Dallas. He previously owned the Columbus Crew until 2013.

Start with Kansas City Chiefs (2005-2007)

Hunt was named Chairman of the Board of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005. Following the death of his father in 2006, Clark, his sister, and two brothers inherited ownership of the Chiefs. Clark serves as the ultimate authority as Chairman and CEO.

After the Chiefs' loss to the New York Jets in the 2007 season finale, Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson announced that both he and head coach Herm Edwards would return to the Chiefs in 2008. However, Hunt declined to immediately comment on Peterson's status. Hunt spoke out weeks later and stated that the Chiefs were his "No. 1 priority" and that "to have the best chance of success in 2008, having Carl here makes a lot of sense." Hunt wanted to avoid having a new general manager come in with a new head coach, and starting from scratch again.

On December 15, Hunt announced the resignation of Carl Peterson from his positions as general manager, president, and CEO of the franchise effective the end of the season. Prior the decision, the Chiefs had a combined record of 9–24 under Hunt's leadership since December 23, 2006.

The official press release stated that Peterson resigned, but Hunt had said the conversation had been on-going throughout the season. Hunt said his decision to relieve Peterson of duties was not based on what happened the previous day, when the Chiefs lost an 11-point lead in the final 73 seconds and were beaten 22–21 by San Diego, dropping their record to 2–12 on the season. Hunt also said that the fate of head coach Herm Edwards would be settled after the season when a new general manager would be hired. Hunt said he would split the duties previously held by Peterson and have someone in charge of the business side and someone else in charge of football for the franchise.

Hunt had kept his search for a new general manager almost entirely leakproof, instructing subordinates that only he is to speak to the situation.

Columbus Crew win (2008)

Under Hunt, Columbus Crew won their first MLS Cup championship on November 23, 2008.

Chiefs appointments (2009)

On January 13, 2009 Hunt hired New England Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli as the new Chiefs general manager. On January 23 the Chiefs fired head coach Herman Edwards, and Todd Haley was hired as his replacement on February 6.

Later Chief seasons (2011-2013)

Hunt fired Todd Haley on December 12, 2011, after the Chiefs had compiled a 5–8 record during the 2011 NFL season. Haley was replaced by defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. Crennel finished his stint as interim head coach with a 2–1 record, including a win over the previously-undefeated, and defending Super Bowl Champions (2011 Green Bay Packers season). On January 9, 2012, Hunt named Crennel the team's permanent head coach.

The return of star players Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry led many to believe that the Chiefs would contend for a playoff spot. Instead, the Chiefs were historically bad through the first seven games of the season, failing to lead a game during regulation (worst since 1940), and holding a tie at the end of only two of twenty-eight possible quarters. Through seven games, the Chiefs were on pace to break the 1965 Pittsburgh Steelers record for worst turnover ratio by 11 turnovers.

On October 28, 2012, the Chiefs lost to rival Oakland Raiders for the sixth consecutive time at home. To date, the only public comment Hunt has made during the season has been in defense of Chiefs fans, who were accused by new right tackle Eric Winston of cheering Matt Cassell's head injury during a game on October 7, 2012. Local and national media outlets have referred to the 1-6 Chiefs' start as "rock bottom" and "competing against history".

On January 4, 2013, Kansas City Chiefs officially hired Andy Reid to be the next head coach.

Personal life

He is married to Tavia Shackles, a former Miss Missouri Teen USA and Miss Kansas USA. The couple have three children.