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{{Short description|American television producer and businessman (born 1950)}}
{{Infobox Officeholder
|birthname = Thomas Charles Werner
{{for|the Swedish swimmer|Tommy Werner}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
|image =
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
|imagesize =
{{Infobox officeholder
|alt =
| birthname = Thomas Charles Werner
|order =
| image = 2007-10-31 sox champs 03web (1).jpg
|office1 = Chairman of the [[Boston Red Sox]]
| caption = Werner in 2007
|manager1 =
| imagesize =
|term_start1 = February 2002
| alt =
|term_end1 =
| order =
|predecessor1 =
| office1 = Chairman of the [[Boston Red Sox]]
|successor1 =
| manager1 =
|office2 = Chairman of [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool Football Club]]
| term_start1 = February 2002
|manager2 =
| term_end1 =
|term_start2 = December 1, 2010
| predecessor1 =
|term_end2 =
| successor1 =
|predecessor2 = [[Martin Broughton]]
| office2 = Chairman of [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
|successor2 =
| manager2 =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|4|12}}
| term_start2 = December 1, 2010
|birth_place = [[New York City]], [[New York]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| term_end2 =
|death_date =
| predecessor2 = [[Martin Broughton]]
|death_place =
| successor2 =
|spouse =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|4|12}}
|children =
| birth_place = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
|residence =
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Jill Troy Werner|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Jennifer Ashton]]|2022}}}}
|alma_mater = [[St. Bernard's School]]<br />[[Hotchkiss School]]<br />[[Harvard University]]
| children = 3
|profession = [[Businessman]]
| residence = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| education = [[St. Bernard's School]]<br />[[Hotchkiss School]]
| alma_mater = [[Harvard University]] {{small|([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])}}
| occupation = Television producer, businessman
}}
}}


'''Thomas Charles "Tom" Werner''' (born April 12, 1950) is an [[United States|American]] television producer, screenwriter, director, and businessman. Via his investment in [[Fenway Sports Group]] (originally New England Sports Ventures), Tom serves as chairman of the [[Boston Red Sox]] and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool Football Club]].
'''Thomas Charles Werner''' (born April 12, 1950) is an American television producer and businessman. Through his investment in [[Fenway Sports Group]], he is currently chairman of both [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] and the [[Boston Red Sox]].


Werner first became a part owner of the [[San Diego Padres]] in 1990, later was part of a group that purchased the [[Boston Red Sox]], and has served as chairman of the Red Sox since February 27, 2002. Since then, the team has won four World Series—the [[2004 World Series|2004]] title ending an 86-year championship drought—and qualified for the postseason ten times. In 2018, the Red Sox won a franchise-record 108 games and went on to win a [[2018 World Series|ninth World Series title]]. Werner became chairman of [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in 2010. In his time in office, Liverpool have won nine trophies, the [[league cup]] in 2012, 2022 and 2024, the [[UEFA Champions League]] in [[2018–19 UEFA Champions League|2019]], the UEFA Super Cup in 2019, the [[FIFA Club World Cup]] also in [[2019 FIFA Club World Cup|2019]], the FA Cup in 2022, the FA Community Shield in 2022 and the [[Premier League]] in 2020 under coach [[Jürgen Klopp]].
==Early life==
Werner was born to a [[American Jews|Jewish]] family,<ref> Silbiger, Steve [https://books.google.com/books?id=2CAGE9yJcm8C&pg=silverman#v=onepage&q=werner&f=false The Jewish Phenomenon: Seven Keys to the Enduring Wealth of a People] p. 91</ref> in [[New York City, New York]]. He was educated at [[St. Bernard's School]] in Manhattan, [[Hotchkiss School|The Hotchkiss School]] in [[Lakeville, Connecticut]], and earned an [[English studies|English]] degree from [[Harvard University]].


As a television producer, Werner formed a partnering with producer [[Marcy Carsey]] to create [[The Carsey-Werner Company|Carsey-Werner]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/comedy-kingmaker-tom-werner-talks-roseanne-revival-bill-cosby-claims-1095875|title=Comedy Kingmaker Tom Werner Talks 'Roseanne' Revival, Bill Cosby Claims|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 22, 2018|language=en|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> The company produced several shows including ''[[The Cosby Show]]'', ''[[Roseanne]]'', ''[[3rd Rock from the Sun]]'' and ''[[That '70s Show]]''. Werner served as executive producer for the reboot of ''[[Roseanne]]'' and was the executive producer for ''[[The Conners]]'' after the cancellation of ''Roseanne'' amid [[Roseanne Barr]] posted a controversial and racist tweet about [[Valerie Jarrett]].
==Television career==
In 1973, Werner entered television by working for [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC-TV]]. In 1975, he became the Director of East Coast Prime Time Development. Werner was promoted to senior vice president of the prime-time development department in 1979. While at ABC, Werner and his partner [[Marcy Carsey]] saw [[Robin Williams]] in a comedy club and launched ''[[Mork & Mindy]]''. Werner also oversaw the development of ''[[Bosom Buddies]]'' which started the career of [[Tom Hanks]], as well as ''[[Soap (TV series)|Soap]]'' which started the career of [[Billy Crystal]] and ''[[Taxi (TV series)|Taxi]]'' which started the career of [[Danny DeVito]].


== Early life ==
Werner co-founded [[Carsey-Werner|The Carsey-Werner Company]] with [[Marcy Carsey]] in 1980. In this capacity he served as [[executive producer]] of such television programs as ''[[The Cosby Show]]'', ''[[Roseanne (TV series)|Roseanne]]'', ''[[3rd Rock from the Sun]]'' and ''[[That 70s Show]]''. Werner made nearly $600 million selling episodes of ''The Cosby Show'' for syndication. In 1996, he was inducted into the [[Television Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/hall-of-fame-honorees|title=Television Hall of Fame Honorees: Complete List}}</ref> In 1999, he was honored at the [[The Paley Center for Media|Museum of Television and Radio]].


Werner was born to a [[Jewish]] family of German origin,<ref>Silbiger, Steve [https://books.google.com/books?id=2CAGE9yJcm8C&q=werner&pg=silverman The Jewish Phenomenon: Seven Keys to the Enduring Wealth of a People] p. 91</ref><ref>[http://forward.com/news/israel/189937/tom-werner-juggles-roles-as-red-sox-and-liverpool/ Jewish Daily Forward: "Tom Werner Juggles Roles as Red Sox and Liverpool Boss" by Raphael Gellar] December 26, 2013 | ''My Jewish ancestors moved to America in the 17th century, but I have identified with Israel since I was a child.''</ref> in New York City; one of three children born to Elizabeth (née Grumbach) and Henry Werner.<ref name=GrumObit>[https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/17/classified/paid-notice-deaths-werner-elizabeth-grumbach.html "Paid Notice: Deaths WERNER, ELIZABETH GRUMBACH"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', February 17, 2003</ref> He has one sister, Patsy Werner Hanson, and one brother, [[Peter Werner]].<ref name=GrumObit /> He was educated at [[St. Bernard's School]] in Manhattan, [[Hotchkiss School|The Hotchkiss School]] in [[Lakeville, Connecticut]], and graduated from [[Harvard University]] in 1971.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}
Werner and his company has earned 24 Emmy Awards, 11 People's Choice Awards, and numerous Golden Globes, Humanitas Prizes, and Peabody Awards. He is also the 2001 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Producers Guild of America along with his partner Marcy Carsey.


== Television career ==
During the administration of [[President of the United States|President]] [[Bill Clinton]], Werner and Carsey were close friends and frequent advisers to Bill and [[Hillary Clinton]].
In 1973, Werner entered television by working for [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC-TV]]. In 1975, he became the Director of East Coast Prime Time Development. Werner was promoted to senior vice president of the prime-time development department in 1979. While at ABC, Werner was involved in the development of ''[[Mork & Mindy]]'', ''[[Bosom Buddies]]'', ''[[Soap (TV series)|Soap]]'' and ''[[Taxi (TV series)|Taxi]]''.


Werner left the network in 1980 and co-founded [[The Carsey-Werner Company]] with [[Marcy Carsey]] the same year. In this capacity he served as [[executive producer]] of such television programs as ''[[The Cosby Show]]'', ''[[A Different World]],'' ''[[Roseanne]]'', ''[[3rd Rock from the Sun]]'', ''[[That '70s Show]]'' and ''[[Grounded for Life]]''. In 1996, Werner was inducted into the [[Television Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/awards/hall-of-fame/honorees|title=Honorees|website=Television Academy|access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
In 2000, Werner, Carsey, and longtime partner [[Caryn Mandabach]] joined [[Oprah Winfrey]] to start [[Oxygen (TV channel)|Oxygen]], a 24-hour cable channel serving the modern woman.


In 2000, Werner, Carsey and longtime partner [[Caryn Mandabach]] joined [[Oprah Winfrey]] to start [[Oxygen (TV channel)|Oxygen]], a 24-hour cable channel which catered to the lifestyle and entertainment interests of the "millennial woman". In 2007, NBC Universal purchased the network for $925 million, and in 2017, it was rebranded as a multiplatform site with a focus on true-crime programming for women.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}
==Sports==


===San Diego Padres===
== Sports ==
=== San Diego Padres ===
Werner's first foray at owning a [[professional sports league organization|professional sports franchise]] began on June 14, 1990, when he, along with 14 other [[Southern California]]-based investors, purchased the [[San Diego Padres]] from [[Joan Kroc]] for US $75 million.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/14/sports/owners-approve-sale-of-padres.html?src=pm "Owners Approve Sale of Padres," ''The Associated Press'', Thursday, June 14, 1990.]</ref><ref name="bcentersdut">[http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20030925-9999_z1s25qstry.html Center, Bill. "The ballpark chronicles: 35 seasons with the Padres&ndash;Chapter 5: 'Barr-Strangled Banner,'" ''The San Diego Union-Tribune'', Thursday, September 25, 2003.]</ref> Holder of the largest financial stake in the ballclub, he served as the general managing partner amongst co-owners who were described by a former Padres employee as being fractious.<ref name="tkurkjiansi">[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1137399/index.htm Kurkjian, Tim. "Penny Pinchin' Padres," ''Sports Illustrated'', March 29, 1993.]</ref>
Werner's entry into sports team ownership came when he and 14 other [[Southern California]]-based investors purchased the [[San Diego Padres]] from McDonald's heiress [[Joan Kroc]] for US$75 million on June 14, 1990.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/14/sports/owners-approve-sale-of-padres.html|title=Owners Approve Sale of Padres|date=June 14, 1990|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 19, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As holder of the largest financial stake in the ballclub, he served as the team's general managing partner.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com:443/en/Journal/Issues/2016/06/06/Opinion/From%20The%20Executive%20Editor.aspx|title=What keeps Tom Werner moving? 'The challenge to win'|date=June 6, 2016|website=Sportsbusinessdaily.com|language=en|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> It was a difficult period economically in [[Major League Baseball]], which was riven by the financial disparity between small- and large-market franchises and ultimately cancelled the 1994 World Series because of a work stoppage that carried into the following season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1856626|title=MLB strike free ... for 10 years and prospering|date=August 11, 2004|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> Werner was appointed to Major League Baseball's Executive Council and was chairman of MLB's television negotiating committee, where he was an early proponent of the wild-card format that was first implemented in 1995.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thomas C. Werner |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/team/front-office/thomas-c-werner |website=mlb.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media, LLC. |access-date=27 August 2023}}</ref>


Just under six weeks into his new ownership role, Werner attempted to [[cross-promotion|cross-promote]] the team with one of his [[television program|television series]] in between games of a [[doubleheader (baseball)|twi-night doubleheader]] versus the [[Cincinnati Reds]] at [[Qualcomm Stadium|Jack Murphy Stadium]] on July 25, 1990. On an evening billed as Working Women's Night at the ballpark, he had invited [[Roseanne Barr]], the [[eponym]]ous star of [[Roseanne (TV series)|one of his sitcoms]], to perform ''[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]''. She comically sang the [[national anthem]] with a loud, screechy voice. After finishing her rendition, she grabbed her [[crotch]] and [[spitting|spat]] at the ground in an attempt to [[parody]] [[baseball]] players. The [[publicity stunt]] was met with condemnation from baseball [[fan (person)|fan]]s and [[sports journalism|sportswriter]]s, some of whom called it either the "Barr-Mangled Banner" or the "Barr-Strangled Banner."<ref name="bcentersdut"/><ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/1990-07-28/sports/sp-753_1_roseanne-barr Distel, Dave. "Padres' Werner to Blame for Roseanne's 'Barr-Mangled Banner,'" ''Los Angeles Times'', Saturday, July 28, 1990.]</ref>
Just under six weeks into his new ownership role, he attempted to [[cross-promotion|cross-promote]] the team with one of his [[television program|television series]] in between games of a [[doubleheader (baseball)|twi-night doubleheader]] versus the [[Cincinnati Reds]] at [[SDCCU Stadium|Jack Murphy Stadium]] on July 25, 1990. He had invited [[Roseanne Barr]], the [[eponym]]ous star of [[Roseanne (TV series)|one of his sitcoms]], to perform ''[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]'' on an evening billed as Working Women's Night at the ballpark. She comically sang the [[national anthem]] with a loud, screechy voice. After finishing her rendition, she grabbed her [[crotch]] and [[spitting|spat]] at the ground in an attempt to [[parody]] [[baseball]] players. The [[publicity stunt]] was met with condemnation from baseball [[fan (person)|fans]] and [[sports journalism|sportswriters]], some of whom called it either the "Barr-Mangled Banner" or the "Barr-Strangled Banner."<ref name="bcentersdut" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives|title=Archives|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>


The Padres missed capturing the [[National League West|National League (NL) West]] title by three games in [[1989 San Diego Padres season|1989]], a year prior to the start of Werner's tenure. Its 89&ndash;73 record was then the second best in franchise history.<ref name="bcentersdut"/> After a pair of winning seasons with third-place finishes in [[1991 San Diego Padres season|1991]] and [[1992 San Diego Padres season|1992]],<ref name="sdpbbrefcom">[http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SDP/ San Diego Padres (team history & encyclopedia) &ndash; Baseball-Reference.com.]</ref> they fell precipitously into the NL West cellar at 61&ndash;101 in [[1993 San Diego Padres season|1993]], six games behind the [[expansion team|expansion]] [[Colorado Rockies]].<ref>[http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1993.shtml 1993 National League Team Statistics and Standings &ndash; Baseball-Reference.com.]</ref> Performing at a 47&ndash;70 pace in [[1994 San Diego Padres season|1994]], only a [[1994&ndash;95 Major League Baseball strike|players strike]] prevented them from completing a second consecutive last-place berth.<ref name="gyoungtht">[http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/san-diego-padres-1993-fire-sale/ Young, Geoff. "San Diego Padres' 1993 fire sale," The Hardball Times, Friday, September 7, 2007.]</ref>
The Padres missed capturing the [[National League West|National League (NL) West]] title by three games in [[1989 San Diego Padres season|1989]], a year prior to the start of Werner's tenure. Its 89–73 record was then the second best in franchise history.<ref name="bcentersdut" /> After a pair of winning seasons with third-place finishes in [[1991 San Diego Padres season|1991]] and [[1992 San Diego Padres season|1992]],<ref name="sdpbbrefcom">{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SDP/index.shtml|title=San Diego Padres Team History & Encyclopedia|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref> the team fell precipitously into the NL West cellar at 61–101 in [[1993 San Diego Padres season|1993]], six games behind the [[expansion team|expansion]] [[Colorado Rockies]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1993.shtml|title=1993 National League Season Summary|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref> It was on its way to a second consecutive last-place finish at 47–70, but a [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|players strike]] prematurely ended the [[1994 San Diego Padres season|1994]] campaign.<ref name="gyoungtht">[http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/san-diego-padres-1993-fire-sale/ Young, Geoff. "San Diego Padres' 1993 fire sale," The Hardball Times, Friday, September 7, 2007.]</ref>


Critics at the time attributed this sudden free fall in the standings to cost-cutting measures ordered by Werner and his fellow investors. The fact is, with the team out of contention, the Padres did what clubs often do: trade stars with high value to clubs in contention while acquiring prospects. The so-called Fire Sale of 1993,<ref name="bcentersdut"/> began on August 31, 1992, when [[Craig Lefferts]] was traded to the [[Baltimore Orioles]]. In the offseason, [[Randy Myers]] and [[Benito Santiago]] were allowed to become [[free agent]]s, [[Tony Fernández]] and [[Mike Maddux]] were dealt to the [[New York Mets]] and [[Jerald Clark]] was selected by the Rockies in the [[1992 Major League Baseball expansion draft|expansion draft]].<ref name="tkurkjiansi"/> [[Gary Sheffield]] was sent to the Marlins on June 24, 1993, [[Fred McGriff]] was shipped to the [[Atlanta Braves]]. [[Bruce Hurst]] and [[Greg Harris (pitcher, born 1963)|Greg Harris]] were moved to the Rockies on July 26.<ref name="gyoungtht"/> The trade of [[Darrin Jackson]] to the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] on March 30, 1993, resulted in a [[class action]] filed against the Padres. During the previous December, the team sent a [[letter (message)|letter]] to [[season ticket|season-ticket]] holders assuring them that the maximum effort would be made to retain Jackson. Economic circumstances changed, however, after Jackson won a $2.1-million [[arbitration award]] in February. Refunds were offered to ticket holders involved in the [[lawsuit]].<ref name="tkurkjiansi"/><ref name="gyoungtht"/>
Critics at the time attributed this sudden free fall in the standings to cost-cutting measures ordered by Werner and his fellow investors. The so-called Fire Sale of 1993<ref name="bcentersdut">{{Cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/|title=The San Diego Union-Tribune - San Diego, California & National News|newspaper=[[San Diego Union-Tribune]]|access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref> began on August 31, 1992, when [[Craig Lefferts]] was traded to the [[Baltimore Orioles]]. In the offseason, [[Randy Myers]] and [[Benito Santiago]] were allowed to become [[free agent]]s, [[Tony Fernández]] and [[Mike Maddux]] were dealt to the [[New York Mets]] and [[Jerald Clark]] was selected by the Rockies in the [[1992 Major League Baseball expansion draft|expansion draft]].<ref name="tkurkjiansi">[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1137399/index.htm Kurkjian, Tim. "Penny Pinchin' Padres," ''Sports Illustrated'', March 29, 1993.]</ref> [[Gary Sheffield]] was sent to the Marlins on June 24, 1993, [[Fred McGriff]] was shipped to the [[Atlanta Braves]]. [[Bruce Hurst]] and [[Greg Harris (pitcher, born 1963)|Greg Harris]] were moved to the Rockies on July 26.<ref name="gyoungtht" /> The trade of [[Darrin Jackson]] to the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] on March 30, 1993, resulted in a [[class action]] filed against the Padres. During the previous December, the team sent a [[letter (message)|letter]] to [[season ticket|season-ticket]] holders assuring them that the maximum effort would be made to retain Jackson. Economic circumstances changed, however, after Jackson won a $2.1-million [[arbitration award]] in February. Refunds were offered to ticket holders involved in the [[lawsuit]].<ref name="tkurkjiansi" /><ref name="gyoungtht" />


Werner's term as majority owner ended when [[John Moores (baseball)|John Moores]] acquired an 80% interest for $80 million on December 22, 1994.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/22/sports/baseball-new-owner-for-padres.html|title=BASEBALL; New Owner for Padres|agency=Associated Press|date=December 22, 1994|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 19, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Werner retained a 10% share in the franchise until he sold it to Moores before the start of the [[2007 Major League Baseball season|2007 season]].<ref>Krasovic, Tom. "Padres Notebook: Greene says surgery only a last resort," ''The San Diego Union-Tribune'', Saturday, February 24, 2007.</ref>
While losing top stars was met with fan disapproval at the time, the trades brought, among others, Brad Ausmus (who became a Gold Glove catcher and an All-Star) and future Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman, who would help the Padres reach postseason play four times, including the 1998 pennant, and who would become one of the most revered players in San Diego history.


=== The Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group ===
Werner explained that the Padres lost $7 million in 1992, even though their receipt of a $12-million share of the expansion fees paid by the Rockies and [[Florida Marlins]] calculated into a $5 million profit. It was further claimed that the expansion money was used to repay part of a $20-million [[loan]] that had made the acquisition of the ballclub possible.


Werner returned to baseball in 2001, part of a group that included former Orioles and Padres CEO [[Larry Lucchino]] and Florida Marlins owner [[John W. Henry]] which made a successful bid to purchase the [[Boston Red Sox]]. Their bid, which totaled $700 million (including $40 million in assumed debt) was accepted by MLB on December 20, 2001, with formal approval coming on February 27, 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/17/sports/baseball-owners-give-approval-to-sale-of-the-red-sox.html|title=Owners Give Approval To Sale of the Red Sox|last=Chass|first=Murray|date=January 17, 2002|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 19, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Henry served as principal owner, Werner was named chairman and Lucchino became club president and CEO, a collaboration that generated a historic level of success.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Francona: the Red Sox years|last1=Francona|first1=Terry|last2=Shaughnessy|first2=Dan|date=2013|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |isbn=978-0-547-92817-3|language=English|oclc=814271080}}</ref>
There was also speculation that the combined wealth of the ownership group was among the highest in the majors at the time.<ref name="tkurkjiansi"/> Regardless of the owners' collective personal wealth, Werner accurately foresaw that the business's bottom line would not be able to break even in the coming years. His vision, while unpopular to fans at the time, was prescient and later validated by the City of San Diego when it affirmed that the Padres could not survive sharing Qualcomm Stadium (née: San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium) as the secondary tenant with another major league tenant. That discovery was one key reason that San Diego voters decisively approved a new ballpark (Petco Park) in 1998.


The new ownership group had been the only prospective purchasers committed to saving [[Fenway Park]], the team's historic home, and after three years of making substantial improvements to the ballpark, the owners made a long-term commitment to remain in Fenway, leading to more than $400 million in improvements during the first 17 years of their tenure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/history/fenway-park-improvements|title=Fenway Park Improvements|website=MLB.com|language=en|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref>
Just as important in the early '90s, the gap between large market teams and small market teams was widening due to cable television revenues that favored large markets-regardless of the success or popularity of their teams. The growing inequity based on market size would inspire Werner to take an active role, together with [[Milwaukee Brewers]] owner [[Bud Selig|Allan H. (Bud) Selig]] and other small market owners, to revolutionize baseball's economic system. Two outgrowths of their efforts are the [[Major League Baseball wild card|Wild Card]], which keeps more cities in contention deeper into the season, and a new era in which MLB has enjoyed the greatest competitive balance in its history.


After the ballclub spent the 2002 season under interim GM [[Mike Port]], who replaced [[Dan Duquette]], the new ownership group promoted 28-year-old [[Theo Epstein]], making him the youngest GM in baseball history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/fenwaypark100/gm.jsp?year=2002_2005|title=Red Sox General Managers|website=Boston Red Sox|language=en|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> The Red Sox lost the 2003 ALCS in seven games to the New York Yankees in Epstein's first season, but under new manager [[Terry Francona]] overcame a three games to none deficit to the New York Yankees to win the 2004 ALCS, then defeated the St. Louis Cardinals for their first World Series title since 1918. World Series titles followed in 2007, 2013 and 2018.
Werner's time as majority owner ended when [[John Moores (baseball)|John Moores]] acquired an 80% interest for $80 million on December 22, 1994.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/22/sports/baseball-new-owner-for-padres.html "BASEBALL; New Owner for Padres," ''The New York Times'', Thursday, December 22, 1994.]</ref> Werner retained a 10% share in the franchise until he sold it to Moores before the start of the [[2007 Major League Baseball season|2007 season]].<ref>[http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070224/news_1s24padnotes.html Krasovic, Tom. "Padres Notebook: Greene says surgery only a last resort," ''The San Diego Union-Tribune'', Saturday, February 24, 2007.]</ref> In the meantime, he assembled a group that would make baseball history 3,000 miles away.


After leaving the Red Sox in 2011, Francona criticized Werner for his focus on TV ratings, quoting Werner in an 2010 meeting as saying: "We need to start winning in a more exciting fashion."<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Francona : the Red Sox years|author=Francona, Terry|date=2013|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|others=Shaughnessy, Dan.|isbn=978-0-547-92817-3|location=Boston|oclc=814271080}}</ref> Francona also criticized Werner for exaggerating his role in Red Sox management:<blockquote>Werner was constantly trying to assert his importance. When the Henry group first purchased the Red Sox, Werner hired a public relations firm to get his name in the local newspapers. When stories were written about Henry or the Red Sox, he was known to call writers and ask, "Why didn't you mention me in your story?"<ref name=":0" /> </blockquote>
===The Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group===
Werner pursued the Boston Red Sox, which were for sale in 2001. Among the groups vying to purchase the storied franchise, which had not won a World Series since 1918, only Werner's sought to save venerable Fenway Park, the oldest (built in 1912) ballpark in MLB. He invited Padres President and CEO, Larry Lucchino to join the group, and then in November 2001, they invited Florida Marlins owner John W. Henry to join them, forming an ownership group with vast experience in baseball ownership, ballpark ambiance and architecture, and the blueprint for new baseball economics. Their successful purchase (with Henry as Principal Owner, Werner as Chairman, and Lucchino as President/CEO) was announced on December 20, 2001, for a reported US $660 million (plus $40 million in assumed debt).


=== Liverpool ===
The impact of their group was immediate. Inheriting a team steeped in dysfunction, Werner and his partners changed General Managers as their first act of business on February 28, 2002, just hours after the purchase closed at the end of business the day before. They also changed Managers, had a contending team in 2002, then an extraordinary season in 2003 that went to a dramatic seventh game of the American League Championship Series before Aaron Boone, a batter for their arch-rival New York Yankees, ended their season with an extra-innings, pennant-winning home run.
In 2010, the ownership group of Henry, Lucchino, and Werner bought [[Premier League]] team [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] from lawyers acting on behalf of the [[Royal Bank of Scotland]], the lenders to former owners [[George N. Gillett, Jr.]] and [[Tom Hicks]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/sports/soccer/07liverpool.html|title=Red Sox Owners Agree to Purchase Liverpool|last=Belson|first=Ken|date=October 6, 2010|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 19, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On November 25, 2010, Liverpool announced that Werner would be installed as chairman, replacing [[Martin Broughton]], beginning December 1, 2010.<ref>"Werner replaces Broughton as Liverpool chairman". The Washington Post. November 25, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-25.</ref>


In May 2012, Werner made a controversial decision by sacking coach and club icon [[Kenny Dalglish]] citing the club's poor league results. This was regarded as a poor decision by experts such as BBC's [[Alan Hansen]], given Dalglish's success in lifting the club from four points above the relegation zone to a League Cup win and an FA Cup final appearance in just over a season. [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]]'s former coach, [[Brendan Rodgers]], filled Dalglish's boots, helping Liverpool finish second in the 2013–14 Premier League that also earned a spot in the UEFA Champions league after a five-year absence.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18104266|title = Dalglish sacking unfair - Hansen|work = BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/05/16/3107213/dalglishs-demise-the-latest-misjudgement-in-fsgs-liverpool-reign-|title=Dalglish's demise the latest misjudgement in FSG's Liverpool reign of error|website=Goal.com|access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/league-table.html|title = Premier League Table, Form Guide & Season Archives|website=Premierleague.com}}</ref> Rodgers was sacked just over a year later, after failing to qualify for the Champions League a second time, due partially to the sale of [[Luiz Suarez]] to [[F.C. Barcelona|Barcelona]], and a disappointing start to the subsequent season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/34423344|title = Liverpool sack manager Rodgers|work = BBC Sport}}</ref>
With the Red Sox-Yankees historic rivalry at a pinnacle, Werner and his partners traded for and invested in new stars for 2004, such as starting pitcher Curt Schilling and relief star Keith Foulke. The owners' investment led to a season equally as dramatic. With the Red Sox and Yankees again playing for the pennant, the New York team held a three-games-to-none-advantage in the best-of-seven series. No team had ever come back from such a deficit to even tie such a series, much less win it.


German coach [[Jürgen Klopp]] was named his replacement. According to ''El País'', co-owner John Henry did not trust public opinion, so he looked for a mathematical method very similar to ''[[Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game|Moneyball]]'', which turned out to be Cambridge physicist Ian Graham's mathematical model to select the coach and players essential for Liverpool to win the UEFA Champions League.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.as.com/en/2019/06/03/football/1559596265_282692.html|title=Moneyball, Liverpool's reason behind Jürgen Klopp's hiring|website=En.as.com|date=June 3, 2019}}</ref> In his first year in charge, Klopp led the team to the [[Football League Cup Final]] and the [[UEFA Europa League]] during the [[2015-16 Liverpool F.C. season|2015–16 season]]. In 2017–18, despite the sale of [[Philippe Coutinho]] to Barcelona mid-season, Liverpool reached the [[2018 UEFA Champions League Final]] which was their first time in eleven years. In the [[2018-19 Liverpool F.C. season|2018–19 season]], Liverpool finished second to [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] in the Premier League race by one point, and went on to win the [[2019 UEFA Champions League Final]] to claim their sixth title in the competition, which was also the first trophy under Klopp's management.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenbusfield/2019/06/03/liverpool-european-champions-league-title-premier-league-manchester-city-vice-versa/#2c2560d35e8a|title = Liverpool Would Trade a Champions League Win for a Premier League Win--And Vice Versa for Manchester City|website=Forbes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.as.com/en/2019/06/03/football/1559515671_694828.html?omnil=resrelart|title = Fenway Sports Group behind Liverpool's great success|website=En.as.com|date = June 3, 2019}}</ref> After the European Cup win, Klopp signed a contract extension to 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://legacy.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/377870-liverpool-fc-statement-jurgen-klopp-extends-contract-to-2024|title=Jürgen Klopp agrees new Liverpool FC contract to 2024|website=Liverpool FC|date=December 13, 2019 |access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref> In June 2020, following a prolonged season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Liverpool won the Premier League, their first ever Premier League title and their first top division league title since 1990.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53183857#:~:text=Thousands%20of%20Liverpool%20fans%20gathered,Reds%20as%20Premier%20League%20champions.|title = Liverpool end 30-year wait for title|work = BBC Sport}}</ref>
Making baseball history and changing the culture of New England forever, Werner's Red Sox pulled off a stunning four-game streak against New York to win the pennant, then won four straight in the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals to end the legendary 86-year drought. Echoes of that championship reverberated right through the 2007 World Series, which the Red Sox also won (against the Colorado Rockies). After 86 years without a World Championship, the Red Sox had won two in four years. Six years later, in 2013, they would win yet another and become the first team to win three World Series in the new millennium.


== Community and philanthropy ==
Concurrently, the ownership group fulfilled Werner's vision from the outset: saving Fenway Park. Investing $280 million over 10 years, the partnership made annual improvements that allowed the ballpark to be the first in major league history to see its 100th Anniversary (April 20, 2012).<ref>-http://nesn.com/2012/04/fenway-park-becomes-sports-most-iconic-venue-with-100th-anniversary-celebration/</ref>
Werner is the founding Chairman of the Red Sox Foundation, the charitable arm of the Boston Red Sox. Since its creation in 2002, the Red Sox Foundation has donated to more than 1,780 organizations, helped 288 Boston public school students with college scholarships through the Red Sox Scholars program, and supported hundreds of youth baseball programs in New England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/team/front-office/thomas-c-werner|title=Thomas C Werner – Chairman|website=MLB.com|language=en|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref>


In 2008, Werner was involved in the creation of the Home Base Program, a partnership between the Red Sox Foundation and [[Massachusetts General Hospital]] to help veterans and their families cope with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nesn.com/2018/07/tom-werner-extremely-proud-of-success-of-home-base-program/|title=Tom Werner Extremely 'Proud' Of 'Success' Of Home Base Program {{!}} Red Sox First Pitch |website=Nesn.com|language=en-US|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref>
The purchase of the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park were two of three parts of the partners' acquisition. Their sports investment and operations company, Fenway Sports Group, also purchased an 80% share in the [[New England Sports Network|New England Sports Network (NESN)]] from the Yawkey Family Trust, managed by [[John Harrington (Red Sox CEO)|John Harrington]].<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/bos/fenwaypark100/own.jsp?year=2002_present Fenway Park 100 Years: Boston Red Sox Ownership, 2002&ndash;Present &ndash; MLB.com.]</ref>


In November 2011, the Red Sox Foundation received Major League Baseball's first-ever "Commissioner's Award for Philanthropic Excellence" for the foundation's "Red Sox Scholars" program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/bos/y2010/m11/d17/c16133932.jsp|title=Red Sox named recipient of Commissioner's Award for Philanthropic Excellence|website=Boston.redsox.mlb.com|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref>
Building on their success in each of these three properties, FSG in 2010 bought [[Premier League]] team [[Liverpool F.C.]] from lawyers acting on behalf of the [[Royal Bank of Scotland]], the lenders to former owners [[George N. Gillett, Jr.]] and [[Tom Hicks]]. On November 25, 2010, Liverpool FC announced that Werner would replace [[Martin Broughton]] as the club's chairman beginning December 1, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/25/AR2010112501434.html|title=Werner replaces Broughton as Liverpool chairman|date=2010-11-25|work=The Washington Post|accessdate=2010-11-25}}</ref> On February 26, 2012 Liverpool won the [[2012 Football League Cup Final]] at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]], London, beating [[Wales|Welsh]] side [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] 3–2 on penalties after the game finished 1–1 after 90 minutes and 2–2 after extra time. This was Liverpool's first trophy since the [[2006 FA Cup Final]] win over [[West Ham United]] on May 13, 2006 at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in Cardiff. In May 2012 he made a controversial decision by sacking manager and club icon [[Kenny Dalglish]] citing the club's poor league results. This was regarded by some as a poor decision by football experts such as BBC expert [[Alan Hansen]] given Dalglish's success in lifting the club from 4 points above the relegation zone to a cup win in just over a season. Swansea's former manager; [[Brendan Rodgers]], filled Dalglish's boots, and has since then proved critics wrong by helping Liverpool finish 2nd in the recently concluded Barclays English Premier League and also a spot in the UEFA Champions league after 4 years.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18104266</ref><ref>http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/05/16/3107213/dalglishs-demise-the-latest-misjudgement-in-fsgs-liverpool-reign-</ref><ref>http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/league-table.html</ref>


In January 2013, Werner received the Dave Winfield Humanitarian Award from the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation at the organization's annual "In the Spirit of the Game" Sports and Entertainment Spectacular.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tom-werner-to-be-honored-with-dave-winfield-humanitarian-award/c-40930040|title=Tom Werner to be honored with|website=MLB.com|date=January 11, 2013 |language=en|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref>
In 2014, after 24 years as an owner in Major League Baseball and with a global experience in sports, and a Television Hall of Famer, Werner was one of the two finalists to succeed Allan H. (Bud) Selig as Commissioner of Baseball after his expected retirement in January, 2015. Longtime MLB official Rob Manfred was elected. Two months later, Werner received one of the nation's highest honors, one recognizing another area of his extraordinary success: community service and philanthropy.


On October 30, 2014, Werner received the "Outstanding Civilian Service Award" from the United States Army for his creation of the Home Base Program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/2014/11/03/red-sox-chairman-tom-werner-received-award-u-s-army/|title=Red Sox Chairman Receives Award from U.S. Army|date=November 3, 2014|website=Boston Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref>
==Community and Philanthropy==


From 2016 to 2020, Werner donated $113,250 to Democratic candidates and causes.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ziegler|first=Sara|date=October 28, 2020|title=Inside The Political Donation History Of Wealthy Sports Owners|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/inside-the-political-donation-history-of-wealthy-sports-owners/|access-date=December 15, 2020|website=FiveThirtyEight|language=en-US}}</ref>
Werner is the founding Chairman of the Red Sox Foundation, the charitable arm of the Boston Red Sox that Werner and his partners created when they purchased the club. It has become the nation's largest sports team charity. The Foundation has provided more than $68 million to fund charitable causes and programs throughout New England since its inception in 2002.


== Personal life ==
Among his greatest career achievements, Werner spearheaded creation of the Home Base Program in partnership with Massachusetts General Hospital. The pioneering effort that focuses on treating war veterans (and families) suffering from traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress is one of the nation's only private sector clinics dedicated to "the invisible wounds of war." Over 1,000 post 9/11 veterans and military family members from all over New England have received clinical care or support through the program. As a child, Werner had experienced such effects on his father, who had fought in World War II. On October 30, 2014, Werner received the "Outstanding Civilian Service Award" from the United States Army for his creation of the Home Base Program. The award is one of the highest honors that can bestowed upon a civilian in the United States of America.<ref>-http://m.redsox.mlb.com/news/article/99970354/tom-werner-to-receive-high-honor-from-united-states-army</ref>
Werner lives in Los Angeles. He is divorced from his first wife Jill Troy Werner; they have three children: Edward "Ted" (born 1976), Carolyn (born 1979), and Amanda (born 1988).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20133067,00.html |title=Katie's New Life - Couples, Love Stories, Today, Katie Couric, Tom Werner : People.com |website=www.people.com |access-date=January 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012061637/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20133067,00.html |archive-date=October 12, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9902E5D8133AF933A05753C1A96E9C8B63|title=Paid Notice: Deaths TROY, JOANNE|website=Query.nytimes.com|access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2012/10/15/leventhals-host-fund-raiser-for-neighborhood-house-charter-school/FwCAj7Ex6SLUdkMZ8Uao7H/story.html|title=Leventhals host {{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|Neighorhood}} House fund-raisere|website=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref> In January 2022, he became engaged to [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] correspondent [[Jennifer Ashton]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 3, 2022 |first=Emily |last=Strohm |title=ABC News' Jennifer Ashton Is Engaged to Tom Werner |url=https://people.com/tv/abc-news-jennifer-ashton-engaged-to-tom-werner/ |access-date=May 30, 2022 |website=people.com |language=en}}</ref> They were married on November 5, 2022, at the Harmonie Club in New York City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/abc-news-jennifer-ashton-weds-tom-werner/|title=ABC News' Jennifer Ashton Weds Tom Werner: 'I Never Thought I'd Find Love Like This'|website=People|first=Emily|last=Strohm|date=November 6, 2022|access-date=November 7, 2022}}</ref>


== References ==
In January 2013, for his leadership and dedication to the game, Werner received the Dave Winfield Humanitarian Award from the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation at the organization's annual "In the Spirit of the Game" Sports and Entertainment Spectacular.
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
In November, 2011, Werner received Major League Baseball's first-ever "Commissioner's Award for Philanthropic Excellence" for the Red Sox Foundation's "Red Sox Scholars" program, which the club created and the foundation funded starting in 2003.
*[https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1809120796/bio Biography at Yahoo! Movies]

*[http://www.sramanamitra.com/2007/04/09/leadership-profile-tom-werner-part-1/Leadership Profile: Tom Werner]{{Dead link|date=December 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1809120796/bio Biography at Yahoo! Movies]
*[http://www.sramanamitra.com/2007/04/09/leadership-profile-tom-werner-part-1/Leadership Profile: Tom Werner]
*{{IMDb name|id=0921492}}
*{{IMDb name|id=0921492}}
*{{EmmyTVLegends name|tom-werner}}


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{{Persondata
| NAME = Werner, Tom
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American sports executive
| DATE OF BIRTH = April 12, 1950
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[New York City]], [[New York]]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
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[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]
[[Category:Fenway Sports Group people]]

Latest revision as of 06:33, 25 July 2024

For the Swedish swimmer, see Tommy Werner.

Tom Werner
Werner in 2007
Chairman of the Boston Red Sox
Assumed office
February 2002
Chairman of Liverpool
Assumed office
December 1, 2010
Preceded byMartin Broughton
Personal details
Born
Thomas Charles Werner

(1950-04-12) April 12, 1950 (age 74)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Spouses
  • Jill Troy Werner
    ​
    (divorced)​
  • ​
    (m. 2022)​
Children3
Residence(s)Los Angeles, California, U.S.
EducationSt. Bernard's School
Hotchkiss School
Alma materHarvard University (BA)
OccupationTelevision producer, businessman

Thomas Charles Werner (born April 12, 1950) is an American television producer and businessman. Through his investment in Fenway Sports Group, he is currently chairman of both Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox.

Werner first became a part owner of the San Diego Padres in 1990, later was part of a group that purchased the Boston Red Sox, and has served as chairman of the Red Sox since February 27, 2002. Since then, the team has won four World Series—the 2004 title ending an 86-year championship drought—and qualified for the postseason ten times. In 2018, the Red Sox won a franchise-record 108 games and went on to win a ninth World Series title. Werner became chairman of Liverpool in 2010. In his time in office, Liverpool have won nine trophies, the league cup in 2012, 2022 and 2024, the UEFA Champions League in 2019, the UEFA Super Cup in 2019, the FIFA Club World Cup also in 2019, the FA Cup in 2022, the FA Community Shield in 2022 and the Premier League in 2020 under coach Jürgen Klopp.

As a television producer, Werner formed a partnering with producer Marcy Carsey to create Carsey-Werner.[1] The company produced several shows including The Cosby Show, Roseanne, 3rd Rock from the Sun and That '70s Show. Werner served as executive producer for the reboot of Roseanne and was the executive producer for The Conners after the cancellation of Roseanne amid Roseanne Barr posted a controversial and racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett.

Early life

[edit]

Werner was born to a Jewish family of German origin,[2][3] in New York City; one of three children born to Elizabeth (née Grumbach) and Henry Werner.[4] He has one sister, Patsy Werner Hanson, and one brother, Peter Werner.[4] He was educated at St. Bernard's School in Manhattan, The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, and graduated from Harvard University in 1971.[citation needed]

Television career

[edit]

In 1973, Werner entered television by working for ABC-TV. In 1975, he became the Director of East Coast Prime Time Development. Werner was promoted to senior vice president of the prime-time development department in 1979. While at ABC, Werner was involved in the development of Mork & Mindy, Bosom Buddies, Soap and Taxi.

Werner left the network in 1980 and co-founded The Carsey-Werner Company with Marcy Carsey the same year. In this capacity he served as executive producer of such television programs as The Cosby Show, A Different World, Roseanne, 3rd Rock from the Sun, That '70s Show and Grounded for Life. In 1996, Werner was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.[5]

In 2000, Werner, Carsey and longtime partner Caryn Mandabach joined Oprah Winfrey to start Oxygen, a 24-hour cable channel which catered to the lifestyle and entertainment interests of the "millennial woman". In 2007, NBC Universal purchased the network for $925 million, and in 2017, it was rebranded as a multiplatform site with a focus on true-crime programming for women.[citation needed]

Sports

[edit]

San Diego Padres

[edit]

Werner's entry into sports team ownership came when he and 14 other Southern California-based investors purchased the San Diego Padres from McDonald's heiress Joan Kroc for US$75 million on June 14, 1990.[6] As holder of the largest financial stake in the ballclub, he served as the team's general managing partner.[7] It was a difficult period economically in Major League Baseball, which was riven by the financial disparity between small- and large-market franchises and ultimately cancelled the 1994 World Series because of a work stoppage that carried into the following season.[8] Werner was appointed to Major League Baseball's Executive Council and was chairman of MLB's television negotiating committee, where he was an early proponent of the wild-card format that was first implemented in 1995.[9]

Just under six weeks into his new ownership role, he attempted to cross-promote the team with one of his television series in between games of a twi-night doubleheader versus the Cincinnati Reds at Jack Murphy Stadium on July 25, 1990. He had invited Roseanne Barr, the eponymous star of one of his sitcoms, to perform The Star-Spangled Banner on an evening billed as Working Women's Night at the ballpark. She comically sang the national anthem with a loud, screechy voice. After finishing her rendition, she grabbed her crotch and spat at the ground in an attempt to parody baseball players. The publicity stunt was met with condemnation from baseball fans and sportswriters, some of whom called it either the "Barr-Mangled Banner" or the "Barr-Strangled Banner."[10][11]

The Padres missed capturing the National League (NL) West title by three games in 1989, a year prior to the start of Werner's tenure. Its 89–73 record was then the second best in franchise history.[10] After a pair of winning seasons with third-place finishes in 1991 and 1992,[12] the team fell precipitously into the NL West cellar at 61–101 in 1993, six games behind the expansion Colorado Rockies.[13] It was on its way to a second consecutive last-place finish at 47–70, but a players strike prematurely ended the 1994 campaign.[14]

Critics at the time attributed this sudden free fall in the standings to cost-cutting measures ordered by Werner and his fellow investors. The so-called Fire Sale of 1993[10] began on August 31, 1992, when Craig Lefferts was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. In the offseason, Randy Myers and Benito Santiago were allowed to become free agents, Tony Fernández and Mike Maddux were dealt to the New York Mets and Jerald Clark was selected by the Rockies in the expansion draft.[15] Gary Sheffield was sent to the Marlins on June 24, 1993, Fred McGriff was shipped to the Atlanta Braves. Bruce Hurst and Greg Harris were moved to the Rockies on July 26.[14] The trade of Darrin Jackson to the Toronto Blue Jays on March 30, 1993, resulted in a class action filed against the Padres. During the previous December, the team sent a letter to season-ticket holders assuring them that the maximum effort would be made to retain Jackson. Economic circumstances changed, however, after Jackson won a $2.1-million arbitration award in February. Refunds were offered to ticket holders involved in the lawsuit.[15][14]

Werner's term as majority owner ended when John Moores acquired an 80% interest for $80 million on December 22, 1994.[16] Werner retained a 10% share in the franchise until he sold it to Moores before the start of the 2007 season.[17]

The Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group

[edit]

Werner returned to baseball in 2001, part of a group that included former Orioles and Padres CEO Larry Lucchino and Florida Marlins owner John W. Henry which made a successful bid to purchase the Boston Red Sox. Their bid, which totaled $700 million (including $40 million in assumed debt) was accepted by MLB on December 20, 2001, with formal approval coming on February 27, 2002.[18] Henry served as principal owner, Werner was named chairman and Lucchino became club president and CEO, a collaboration that generated a historic level of success.[19]

The new ownership group had been the only prospective purchasers committed to saving Fenway Park, the team's historic home, and after three years of making substantial improvements to the ballpark, the owners made a long-term commitment to remain in Fenway, leading to more than $400 million in improvements during the first 17 years of their tenure.[20]

After the ballclub spent the 2002 season under interim GM Mike Port, who replaced Dan Duquette, the new ownership group promoted 28-year-old Theo Epstein, making him the youngest GM in baseball history.[21] The Red Sox lost the 2003 ALCS in seven games to the New York Yankees in Epstein's first season, but under new manager Terry Francona overcame a three games to none deficit to the New York Yankees to win the 2004 ALCS, then defeated the St. Louis Cardinals for their first World Series title since 1918. World Series titles followed in 2007, 2013 and 2018.

After leaving the Red Sox in 2011, Francona criticized Werner for his focus on TV ratings, quoting Werner in an 2010 meeting as saying: "We need to start winning in a more exciting fashion."[22] Francona also criticized Werner for exaggerating his role in Red Sox management:

Werner was constantly trying to assert his importance. When the Henry group first purchased the Red Sox, Werner hired a public relations firm to get his name in the local newspapers. When stories were written about Henry or the Red Sox, he was known to call writers and ask, "Why didn't you mention me in your story?"[22]

Liverpool

[edit]

In 2010, the ownership group of Henry, Lucchino, and Werner bought Premier League team Liverpool from lawyers acting on behalf of the Royal Bank of Scotland, the lenders to former owners George N. Gillett, Jr. and Tom Hicks.[23] On November 25, 2010, Liverpool announced that Werner would be installed as chairman, replacing Martin Broughton, beginning December 1, 2010.[24]

In May 2012, Werner made a controversial decision by sacking coach and club icon Kenny Dalglish citing the club's poor league results. This was regarded as a poor decision by experts such as BBC's Alan Hansen, given Dalglish's success in lifting the club from four points above the relegation zone to a League Cup win and an FA Cup final appearance in just over a season. Swansea City's former coach, Brendan Rodgers, filled Dalglish's boots, helping Liverpool finish second in the 2013–14 Premier League that also earned a spot in the UEFA Champions league after a five-year absence.[25][26][27] Rodgers was sacked just over a year later, after failing to qualify for the Champions League a second time, due partially to the sale of Luiz Suarez to Barcelona, and a disappointing start to the subsequent season.[28]

German coach Jürgen Klopp was named his replacement. According to El País, co-owner John Henry did not trust public opinion, so he looked for a mathematical method very similar to Moneyball, which turned out to be Cambridge physicist Ian Graham's mathematical model to select the coach and players essential for Liverpool to win the UEFA Champions League.[29] In his first year in charge, Klopp led the team to the Football League Cup Final and the UEFA Europa League during the 2015–16 season. In 2017–18, despite the sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona mid-season, Liverpool reached the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final which was their first time in eleven years. In the 2018–19 season, Liverpool finished second to Manchester City in the Premier League race by one point, and went on to win the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final to claim their sixth title in the competition, which was also the first trophy under Klopp's management.[30][31] After the European Cup win, Klopp signed a contract extension to 2024.[32] In June 2020, following a prolonged season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Liverpool won the Premier League, their first ever Premier League title and their first top division league title since 1990.[33]

Community and philanthropy

[edit]

Werner is the founding Chairman of the Red Sox Foundation, the charitable arm of the Boston Red Sox. Since its creation in 2002, the Red Sox Foundation has donated to more than 1,780 organizations, helped 288 Boston public school students with college scholarships through the Red Sox Scholars program, and supported hundreds of youth baseball programs in New England.[34]

In 2008, Werner was involved in the creation of the Home Base Program, a partnership between the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital to help veterans and their families cope with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.[35]

In November 2011, the Red Sox Foundation received Major League Baseball's first-ever "Commissioner's Award for Philanthropic Excellence" for the foundation's "Red Sox Scholars" program.[36]

In January 2013, Werner received the Dave Winfield Humanitarian Award from the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation at the organization's annual "In the Spirit of the Game" Sports and Entertainment Spectacular.[37]

On October 30, 2014, Werner received the "Outstanding Civilian Service Award" from the United States Army for his creation of the Home Base Program.[38]

From 2016 to 2020, Werner donated $113,250 to Democratic candidates and causes.[39]

Personal life

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Werner lives in Los Angeles. He is divorced from his first wife Jill Troy Werner; they have three children: Edward "Ted" (born 1976), Carolyn (born 1979), and Amanda (born 1988).[40][41][42] In January 2022, he became engaged to ABC News correspondent Jennifer Ashton.[43] They were married on November 5, 2022, at the Harmonie Club in New York City.[44]

References

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  1. ^ "Comedy Kingmaker Tom Werner Talks 'Roseanne' Revival, Bill Cosby Claims". The Hollywood Reporter. March 22, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  2. ^ Silbiger, Steve The Jewish Phenomenon: Seven Keys to the Enduring Wealth of a People p. 91
  3. ^ Jewish Daily Forward: "Tom Werner Juggles Roles as Red Sox and Liverpool Boss" by Raphael Gellar December 26, 2013 | My Jewish ancestors moved to America in the 17th century, but I have identified with Israel since I was a child.
  4. ^ a b "Paid Notice: Deaths WERNER, ELIZABETH GRUMBACH", The New York Times, February 17, 2003
  5. ^ "Honorees". Television Academy. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  6. ^ "Owners Approve Sale of Padres". The New York Times. June 14, 1990. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  7. ^ "What keeps Tom Werner moving? 'The challenge to win'". Sportsbusinessdaily.com. June 6, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  8. ^ "MLB strike free ... for 10 years and prospering". ESPN.com. August 11, 2004. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  9. ^ "Thomas C. Werner". mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media, LLC. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c "The San Diego Union-Tribune - San Diego, California & National News". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  11. ^ "Archives". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  12. ^ "San Diego Padres Team History & Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  13. ^ "1993 National League Season Summary". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  14. ^ a b c Young, Geoff. "San Diego Padres' 1993 fire sale," The Hardball Times, Friday, September 7, 2007.
  15. ^ a b Kurkjian, Tim. "Penny Pinchin' Padres," Sports Illustrated, March 29, 1993.
  16. ^ "BASEBALL; New Owner for Padres". The New York Times. Associated Press. December 22, 1994. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  17. ^ Krasovic, Tom. "Padres Notebook: Greene says surgery only a last resort," The San Diego Union-Tribune, Saturday, February 24, 2007.
  18. ^ Chass, Murray (January 17, 2002). "Owners Give Approval To Sale of the Red Sox". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  19. ^ Francona, Terry; Shaughnessy, Dan (2013). Francona: the Red Sox years. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0-547-92817-3. OCLC 814271080.
  20. ^ "Fenway Park Improvements". MLB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  21. ^ "Red Sox General Managers". Boston Red Sox. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  22. ^ a b Francona, Terry (2013). Francona : the Red Sox years. Shaughnessy, Dan. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0-547-92817-3. OCLC 814271080.
  23. ^ Belson, Ken (October 6, 2010). "Red Sox Owners Agree to Purchase Liverpool". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  24. ^ "Werner replaces Broughton as Liverpool chairman". The Washington Post. November 25, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-25.
  25. ^ "Dalglish sacking unfair - Hansen". BBC Sport.
  26. ^ "Dalglish's demise the latest misjudgement in FSG's Liverpool reign of error". Goal.com. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  27. ^ "Premier League Table, Form Guide & Season Archives". Premierleague.com.
  28. ^ "Liverpool sack manager Rodgers". BBC Sport.
  29. ^ "Moneyball, Liverpool's reason behind Jürgen Klopp's hiring". En.as.com. June 3, 2019.
  30. ^ "Liverpool Would Trade a Champions League Win for a Premier League Win--And Vice Versa for Manchester City". Forbes.com.
  31. ^ "Fenway Sports Group behind Liverpool's great success". En.as.com. June 3, 2019.
  32. ^ "Jürgen Klopp agrees new Liverpool FC contract to 2024". Liverpool FC. December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  33. ^ "Liverpool end 30-year wait for title". BBC Sport.
  34. ^ "Thomas C Werner – Chairman". MLB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  35. ^ "Tom Werner Extremely 'Proud' Of 'Success' Of Home Base Program | Red Sox First Pitch". Nesn.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  36. ^ "Red Sox named recipient of Commissioner's Award for Philanthropic Excellence". Boston.redsox.mlb.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  37. ^ "Tom Werner to be honored with". MLB.com. January 11, 2013. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  38. ^ "Red Sox Chairman Receives Award from U.S. Army". Boston Magazine. November 3, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  39. ^ Ziegler, Sara (October 28, 2020). "Inside The Political Donation History Of Wealthy Sports Owners". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  40. ^ "Katie's New Life - Couples, Love Stories, Today, Katie Couric, Tom Werner : People.com". www.people.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  41. ^ "Paid Notice: Deaths TROY, JOANNE". Query.nytimes.com. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  42. ^ "Leventhals host Neighorhood [sic] House fund-raisere". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  43. ^ Strohm, Emily (January 3, 2022). "ABC News' Jennifer Ashton Is Engaged to Tom Werner". people.com. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  44. ^ Strohm, Emily (November 6, 2022). "ABC News' Jennifer Ashton Weds Tom Werner: 'I Never Thought I'd Find Love Like This'". People. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
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