Hugh Culverhouse | |
|---|---|
| Born | Hugh Franklin Culverhouse February 20, 1919 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | August 25, 1994 (aged 75) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman Entrepreneur Sports team owner/executive |
| Years active | 1947–1994, his death |
Hugh Franklin Culverhouse Sr. (February 20, 1919 – August 25, 1994) was an American businessman, attorney, and sports franchise owner. Culverhouse is best known for having been the longtime owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He was a successful tax lawyer, and his real estate investments made him wealthy. His work brought him into contact with National Football League team owners, and his failed purchase of the Los Angeles Rams placed him in line to become the owner of the fledgling Buccaneer franchise. He owned the team from its inception until his death.
Culverhouse became one of the most influential team owners in the NFL. Although his teams were rarely competitive on the field, he was credited with modernizing the league. He oversaw the league's course of direction through two player strikes, and the modern league's financial stability is in great part due to his leadership. He held influence for over a decade, before stepping back due to criticism of what other owners saw as his overly-secretive ways.
Culverhouse was initially lauded for bringing professional football to the Tampa Bay area, but eventually came to be blamed for the team's struggles. His refusal to pay Doug Williams at a salary level comparable to that of the league's top quarterbacks stirred resentment among fans, and marked the beginning of the team's decline during the 1980s. It further led to the belief that Culverhouse was more concerned with fielding a profitable team than a winning one. The Buccaneers' NFL-record streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons contributed to this perception, although Culverhouse did make several notable attempts to improve the team.
Culverhouse was diagnosed with cancer in 1992, and died in 1994. His apparent attempt to exclude his wife from his inheritance led to posthumous revelations of extramarital affairs. Ensuing lawsuits caused an ownership crisis that almost required the team to relocate to another city, before the Glazer family stepped forward with a purchase offer.