George Gillett Jr., a businessman with ownership ties to multiple professional sports leagues including NASCAR, has passed away. He was 87.
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The Montreal Canadiens announced the news and said that Gillett passed away on Sept. 22. The NHL team did not provide a cause of death.
The longtime businessman is survived by his wife of 59 years, their three sons, eight grandchildren, and a step-granddaughter.
A native of Wisconsin, Gillett first took ownership of the Canadiens and the Bell Centre on Jan. 31, 2001, after spending $275 million. He owned the team until June 2009, and he oversaw a run that included six appearances in the playoffs.
"On behalf of the entire Canadiens organization, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to George's family," said Canadiens owner, president and CEO Geoff Molson.
"George immersed himself in the Montreal community and was appreciated by everyone in the organization. We sincerely appreciate his contributions to the Montreal Canadiens during his time as owner."
Gillett, who also owned the Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts in Colorado, moved into the world of Premier League soccer in 2007. He and fellow American Tom Hicks co-owned Liverpool FC until 2010.
The Wisconsin native moved into the NASCAR Cup Series in 2007. He bought controlling interest in a team from future Hall of Famer Ray Evernham.
He owned this team, Gillett Evernham Motorsports, in 2007 and 2008 before it merged with Petty Enterprises to become Richard Petty Motorsports. Kasey Kahne won two races during this stretch, both in 2008. Gillett then sold his share after the 2010 season.
Long before moving into hockey, soccer, or NASCAR, Gillett had ties to professional football and basketball. He had a 20% ownership stake in the Miami Dolphins in the late 1960s, but he sold those so that he could purchase the Harlem Globetrotters.
He owned the professional basketball team until 1975, and he helped bring it to prominence with a strong marketing push.
