Ever since the NFL made its way back to Houston, Robert McNair, the first owner of the Houston Texans, has been at the center of it all. Instrumental in the teams’ development from Day 1, Robert and Janice McNair have been nestled at the helm of the organization from the start.
Now, their son, Cal McNair, has entered the picture. But we take a closer look at the Texans’ history, including who now has principal ownership.
History of the Houston Texans
While the NFL has existed since 1920, the Houston Texans have only been around for a short time. In fact, they are the youngest team in the NFL, with their inaugural season starting in 2002. However, they are not the first team to represent the city.
From 1960 until 1996, the Houston Oilers called the city home until departing for Nashville, Tennessee, rebranding as the Tennessee Titans.
After the Cleveland Browns had controversially relocated to become the Baltimore Ravens, the NFL needed a 32nd team. Houston, along with Toronto and Los Angeles, was the frontrunner.
The City Did Not Wait Long for Football to Return
Committed to bringing the NFL back to Houston, Robert McNair formed Houston NFL Holdings in 1998. On October 6, 1999, the NFL announced that the 32nd NFL franchise had been awarded to McNair for $700 million. They played their inaugural season in 2002 at the newly opened Reliant Stadium under Dom Capers.
As of the start of the 2024 season, the Texans’ overall regular season win-loss record is 153-202-1. The Texans are also 5–7 all-time in playoff games, but those berths only came after winning the AFC South.
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However, the franchise has witnessed new success. Last year’s Texans team became one of the league’s best surprises — snatching the AFC South behind the arm and legs of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. It marked the seventh time in franchise history the Texans secured the division crown.
While winning seasons may not have been a constant for the Houston Texans franchise, one thing has remained the same — the ownership and guidance of the McNairs.
How Did Original Houston Texans Owner Robert McNair Earn his Fortune?
Buying an NFL franchise is not cheap, not even when it hasn’t played a single game yet. In order to step foot in the door, you need a massive amount of wealth. Luckily for Robert McNair, they had plenty sitting around when he became owner of the Houston Texans.
Hailing from the foothills of North Carolina, Robert McNair’s professional career began in the auto and truck leasing business. However, that is not what helped to amass his wealth.
In 1983, McNair founded Cogen Technologies. Cogen would eventually become one of the largest non-utility co-generators of electrical and thermal energy in the country. The company expanded over the years until it became the largest privately-owned cogeneration company in the world.
In 1999, Robert McNair sold the company to Enron and CalPERS for $1.5 billion.
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Outside of football, Bob continued his business career. He owned a pair of power plants, one in New York and the other in West Virginia. He was the chairman and CEO of the McNair Group, a financial and real estate firm, and owned the Palmetto Partners, Ltd., a private investment company.
Unfortunately, Bob McNair passed away before seeing the team he helped build from the ground up reach a championship. McNair passed away on November 23, 2018. He had battled skin cancer since 1994 and had been in treatment for various cancers throughout that span, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia. At the time of his death, McNair had built his vast wealth to over $4 billion.
Janice McNair Emerged as Houston Texans Owner
Following Robert McNair’s passing, his wife Janice McNair became the principal owner of the Houston Texans, with the title of “senior chair.” Her son, Cal McNair, moved to CEO and day-to-day head of the franchise following the death of his father.
Janice McNair became one of ten female NFL team owners. She joined names like Virginia Halas McCaskey (Chicago Bears), Kim Pegula (Buffalo Bills), Carol Davis (Las Vegas Raiders), Dee Haslam (Cleveland Browns), Amy Adams Strunk (Tennessee Titans), Gayle Benson (New Orleans Saints), Sheila Ford Hamp (Detroit Lions), Denise DeBartolo York (San Francisco 49ers), and Jody Allen (Seattle Seahawks).
In 1989, Robert McNair and his wife established the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation. To date, the McNair Foundation has awarded approximately $2.6 million in financial aid.
The McNair family were massive helpers in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He launched a telethon for donations and pledged $1 million of his own money, eventually helping the Texans to donate $2.7 million to the cause.
On Sept. 12, 2007, McNair gave $100 million to Baylor College of Medicine to recruit top scientists and physicians.
The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, established in 2015, provides gifts to create centers for entrepreneurship at universities throughout the United States. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which decimated the Houston area, McNair joined J.J. Watt’s campaign and donated $1 million to the United Way of Greater Houston Flood Relief Fund.
Fellow Houston area owners jumped in as well. Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and the team donated $4 million to Houston mayor Sylvester Turner’s relief fund. The Houston Astros announced owner Jim Crane contributed $4 million to the relief fund as well.
Following Her Husband’s Passing, Janice McNair Continued their Support in the Community
In August 2019, Janice McNair donated $5 million to Pro Vision Inc., a community-building project in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Houston. It was reported to be the largest donation ever made by an NFL owner.
During the ongoing global crisis, Janice McNair donated $1 million to the Houston Rent Relief fund to help apartment residents in Houston facing eviction during the economic recession due to the virus.
While not always involved with the day-to-day activities as the Houston Texans’ owner, Janice McNair has been an influential part of not only the team but the city as well.
What is Cal McNair’s Role Now?
Janice McNair remains a fixture with the Texans. However, her son has now taken the chair she once held.
Cal McNair got approved to become the principal owner of the franchise — which was finalized on March 26, 2024. He earned the new role following a league vote during the NFL Owner’s Meeting held in Orlando.
“I first want to acknowledge the incredible work my mom has done over the last five years since taking over,” McNair said in a statement accepting the move. “She has been an inspirational leader for our family, our team and our community. I can’t thank her enough for the foundation she has helped build and her countless contributions both on and off the field. It’s an exciting time to be a Houston Texan and I’m honored to lead this franchise.”
Janice McNair hasn’t left the Texans just yet. She remains co-founder of the franchise but also serves as senior chair. Now, Cal McNair is the owner forging a new path ahead for Houston and its NFL franchise.
“This move ensures the long-term stability of our franchise and we will continue to operate the way we have been over the last couple years, pursuing a championship for the City of Houston while doing great things in the community and for our fans,” Cal McNair said.