NFL owners aren’t exactly a diverse bunch. Ownership groups are largely dominated by older individuals, so identifying the youngest NFL owner is a relative exercise.
Clark Hunt Is the Youngest Owner in the NFL
At age 58, Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt is the youngest owner in the NFL. Three other NFL owners — Dan Snyder (still technically the Commanders’ owner), Michael Bidwill (Cardinals), and Bryan Glazer (Buccaneers) — are also 58 years old, but Hunt is several months younger than each of those owners.
While Clark isn’t exactly young, he is a whopping 42 years younger than the oldest NFL owner, Bears owner Virginia McCaskey.
What is Hunt’s story? Where did he come from, and how did he come into possession of the storied former AFL franchise?
History of Kansas City Chiefs Owner Clark Hunt
Hunt, born on Feb. 19, 1965, is the son of Lamar Hunt, who founded the Chiefs in 1960. Lamar, consistently rejected for NFL ownership, approached several other individuals who have been jilted by the NFL and formed the American Football League (AFL).
Although Lamar’s group was known as the “Foolish Club” due to the belief that they couldn’t compete with the NFL, the AFL quickly grew. When Hunt’s original team, the Dallas Texans, was displaced by the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, Hunt moved his team to Kansas City and rebranded them as the Chiefs in 1962.
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Meanwhile, Clark Hunt spent a few years in finance before being named the Chiefs’ chairman in 2005. When Lamar Hunt passed away in December 2006, Clark and his siblings inherited the franchise. Hunt is considered the voice of Kansas City’s ownership group, represents the club at league meetings, and holds final decision-making authority.
The Chiefs Under Hunt’s Leadership
The Chiefs struggled during the early portion of Hunt’s tenure as owner. Kansas City cycled through three head coaches — Herm Edwards, Todd Haley, and Romeo Crennel — in quick succession and earned a playoff berth just once (2010) in Hunt’s first six seasons as owner.
However, Hunt changed the franchise’s fortunes in 2013 by hiring former Eagles head coach Andy Reid. The Chiefs started 9-0 and made the playoffs in Reid’s first season in charge. Although they narrowly missed the postseason despite a winning record in 2014, Kansas City has entered the playoffs every year since.
Since drafting Patrick Mahomes in 2017 and making him the starting quarterback in 2018, the Chiefs have been the best team in the NFL. They’ve hosted five consecutive AFC Championship Games and won two Super Bowl trophies, emerging as the most dominant force in the league.
What Else Does Hunt Do?
Hunt’s father was always a big fan of sports — and not just football. Lamar helped found Major League Soccer and ran the Kansas City Wizards with Clark until they sold the team in 2006, just months before Lamar’s death.
Clark is still involved in MLS. He’s on the league’s board of governors, used to own the Columbus Crew until 2013, and currently owns FC Dallas.