Donald Carter (businessman)

Donald J. Carter (July 5, 1933 – February 14, 2018) was an American investor and businessman who was a founding owner of the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Dallas Sidekicks of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL).[1][2][3] At the time of his death he was a minority partner in the Mavericks and a familiar courtside presence at the team's home games, always wearing a cowboy hat.

Donald J. Carter
Carter circa 1984
BornJuly 5, 1933
Arkansas, U.S.
Died (aged 84)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Other namesDon Carter
Occupation(s)Investor, business leader
Known forFounder of Dallas Mavericks & Dallas Sidekicks
SpouseLinda Jo Carter
Children3
ParentMary C. Crowley

Early life

Carter was born into a poor family in Arkansas on July 5, 1933.[1][4] Carter's mother remarried when he was 15.[5] He dropped out of high school and got a job at a gas station that paid enough to keep the car he used for drag racing running.[6]

After doing his military service in the U.S. Air Force, he joined his mother, Mary C. Crowley, in the successful company she founded selling interior decoration with a home party plan, Home Interiors and Gifts.[6][4][7] The business was sold to Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst and netted Carter millions of dollars.[8]

Career
Don Carter at a Dallas Mavericks game in 2006

Carter, along with Norm Sonju, founded an NBA expansion team, the Dallas Mavericks, in 1980.[2] When Sonju had difficulty securing the funds needed for the US$12 million expansion entry fee, Carter stepped forward to guarantee its payment.[9] This initial investment in the team (US$42.6 million in today's terms) eventually earned him US$125 million (US$233 million in today's terms) when he sold the team in 1996 to an investment group led by Ross Perot Jr.[10][11]

Over the years, Carter owned many different types of businesses, including a Rolls-Royce dealership.[12] Other businesses include banks, trucking firms, hotels, rodeo arenas, and cattle ranches. In the 2011 championship win by the Dallas Mavericks over the Miami Heat he was given the honor of receiving the Larry O'Brien trophy by Mark Cuban as the first owner. He retained a minority stake in the Mavericks (4% at the time of his death) and frequently attended Mavericks games until he died in 2018.[13]

Personal life and death

Carter had two sons, Donald J. “Joey” Carter, Jr. and Ronald L. Carter, and a daughter, Christi Carter Urschel with his wife of 58 years, Linda Jo.[14][15]

Carter died at his home in Dallas, Texas on February 14, 2018, at the age of 84.[16][17]

See also

References
  1. "Don Carter, the Mavericks' co-founder and first majority owner, dies at age 84". Dallas News. February 15, 2018.
  2. Aron (2003), p. 4–6.
  3. "Around the State: Sports". Texas Monthly. 19 (11): 42. Nov 1991.
  4. Braga, Michael (6 Nov 2005). "Multimillionaire invests big in high-end condos". Herald Tribune (Sarasota, FL).
  5. The leadership of Mary C. Crowley: Pioneer female business leader. Carver, Rita M. Dallas Baptist University, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2012. 3507449.
  6. Hagerty, James R. (23 February 2018). "Don Carter, High-School Dropout, Brought NBA Basketball to Dallas Air Force vet joined his mother's home-décor firm and made a fortune". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  7. Brendan M. Case (22 Sep 2008). "Home Interiors and Gifts details plan to split up bankrupt company". Denton Record Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2012-07-29.
  8. Myerson, Allen R. (22 July 1994). "Buyouts in the Heart of Texas". New York Times.
  9. Papanek, John. "Well Now, Looka Here," Sports Illustrated, October 27, 1980.
  10. "New Mavs Group Removes Motta". St. Petersburg Times. 2 May 1996. p. 60.
  11. Aron (2003), p. 141.
  12. Falk (2009), p. 289.
  13. Whitt, Richie (1 June 2006). "Proud Papa". Dallas Observer.
  14. "Bucks vs. Mavericks - Game Recap - January 27, 2010 - ESPN". ESPN.com.
  15. "PM&M page [USA / Texas / Carrollton (01)]". www.porcelainmarksandmore.com.
  16. "Don Carter, owner who helped bring NBA to Dallas, dies at 84 - Laredo Morning Times". www.lmtonline.com. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  17. "Mavericks founding owner Don Carter passes at 84". WFAA.

Bibliography
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