View Full Version : How did Ralph become rich?
Pride
10-03-2006, 11:02 AM
How did Ralph Wilson Jr. become wealthy enough to start the Bills Franchise?
Does he own anything else other than the Bills? If not now, did he ever?
How did Ralph make his first million?
Just curious.
Devin
10-03-2006, 11:04 AM
Good question man, I was curious about the same thing.
OpIv37
10-03-2006, 11:05 AM
he financed Deep Throat.
OpIv37
10-03-2006, 11:05 AM
he financed Deep Throat.
I have no idea, but I did find this little bit...
Wilson, an insurance and trucking magnate from Detroit, was a fan of the Detroit Lions. Wilson and his father regularly attended Lions games until Ralph went away in 1941, to join the Navy during World War II. In 1948, Wilson and his father bought a 4% share in the Lions, to keep the team locally owned. This fueled Wilson's desire to own his own team.
In August of 1959 while in Saratoga for the start of the racing season, Wilson read in the New York Times read of a young oil tycoon named Lamar Hunt, who was starting a new football league. Wilson learned that they were interested in placing a team in Miami. "I had a winter home in Miami," said Wilson. "I wasn't a total stranger down there. I had been going down there since I was a youngster."
To his surprise, Wilson received fierce opposition in trying to work out a lease arrangement with the Orange Bowl, not only from political leaders but from the University of Miami as well. "Well if you couldn't get the Orange Bowl, you had no place to play in Miami in those days," Wilson said. "So I forgot about the whole thing."
A few days later, Hunt called Wilson and told him that he had seven teams lined up and needed an eighth, to balance out the schedule. Hunt told Wilson that there were 5 cities interested; Louisville, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Atlanta and Buffalo and could have his choice of anyone. Wilson knew nothing of either of the cities. Wilson asked Ed Hayes, sports editor of the Detroit Times and Nick Kerbawy, an executive with the Lions, which of the cities they would choose. They both answered, Buffalo.
http://www.geocities.com/bflobuzrd_2000/wilson.html
Thank GOD the Miami thing fell through. :phew:
Mr. Miyagi
10-03-2006, 11:13 AM
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Ralph Wilson lived in Detroit, Michigan as a child. Later, he would graduate from the University of Virginia. Wilson enlisted in the Navy during World War II, quickly earning his commission and serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres.
After the war, Wilson joined his father's insurance business. Branching out over the years, Wilson is now Chairman of Ralph C. Wilson Industries, Inc. in Detroit, which includes manufacturing, television and radio stations, construction, insurance and contract drilling operations.
Always an avid fan of football, Wilson first purchased a minority share in the National Football League's Detroit Lions. Later he joined Lamar Hunt and the rest of "The Foolish Club" in what was to be the other league, the American Football League.
http://nflhistory.net/shared/owners.asp?Team=1
LtBillsFan66
10-03-2006, 11:18 AM
Did he invent Wilson footballs?
I think he had a part in inventing the printing press as well. Back in the day.
RedEyE
10-03-2006, 11:23 AM
Did he invent Wilson footballs?
Doesn't look like it:
http://www.wilson.com/wilson/articles/pressRelease_article.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673897513
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=626 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=generalText width=50 colSpan=3>1913</TD></TR><TR><TD class=generalText width=10> </TD><TD class=generalText colSpan=3>Chicago's Ashland Manufacturing Company is founded to develop innovative ways of using the slaughterhouse by-products of the meat packing firm Schwarzchild and Sulzberger. </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=4> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=generalText width=10> </TD><TD class=generalText width=50 colSpan=3>1914</TD></TR><TR><TD class=generalText width=10> </TD><TD class=generalText colSpan=3>Ashland's original product line include surgical sutures, inexpensive tennis racquets, tennis racquet string and two models of baseball shoes. The company is shaped by its first general manager, E.C. Seaton, who was one of the early experts of the sporting goods industry. After Thomas E. Wilson is named president, the young company breaks from its parent to focus on sports oriented products. The goal is to grow through innovation and quality, and to promote athletics and sports. </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=4> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=generalText width=10> </TD><TD class=generalText width=50 colSpan=3>1915</TD></TR><TR><TD class=generalText width=10> </TD><TD class=generalText colSpan=3>Football jerseys, basketballs and indoor baseballs are added to the line, and the Star tennis racquet is advertised at $.75. </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=4> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=generalText width=10> </TD><TD class=generalText width=50 colSpan=3>1916</TD></TR><TR><TD class=generalText width=10> </TD><TD class=generalText colSpan=3>Growth and innovation continue: Ashland Manufacturing is renamed as Thomas E. Wilson Co. and the company purchases Hetzinger Knitting Mills to manufacture athletic uniforms and apparel. As a result of significant growth, the company moves into a building of its own, a red brick schoolhouse on Chicago's south side. The IndestructoTM Caddie Bag Co. is purchased and the complete luggage line is reduced to only golf bags. The J-4 basketball and the A-5 football are introduced. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
LtBillsFan66
10-03-2006, 11:25 AM
My bad.
Gunzlingr
10-03-2006, 11:25 AM
He was an original partner of Johannas Gutenburg, but sold his share of the business after their invention of the printing press took off.
He was an original partner of Johannas Gutenburg, but sold his share of the business after their invention of the printing press took off.
Oh that's right.
Dr. Lecter
10-03-2006, 11:36 AM
He was not that wealthy when the Bills were founded. It was a $25,000 entry fee!
HAMMER
10-03-2006, 11:46 AM
He was not that wealthy when the Bills were founded. It was a $25,000 entry fee!
Just because it was "only" 25K doesn't mean he wasn't wealthy.
Mr. Miyagi
10-03-2006, 12:34 PM
He was not that wealthy when the Bills were founded. It was a $25,000 entry fee!
It was like playing high stakes fantasy football.
Pride
10-03-2006, 12:37 PM
What cost $25000 in 1960 would cost $158,418.86 in 2005.
http://www.westegg.com/inflation/
So yes, $160,000.00 is a lot of money, even for today!
L.A. Playa
10-03-2006, 12:38 PM
he became extremely wealthy thanks to the Bills
L.A. Playa
10-03-2006, 12:41 PM
What cost $25000 in 1960 would cost $158,418.86 in 2005.
http://www.westegg.com/inflation/
So yes, $160,000.00 is a lot of money, even for today!
great investment $160k of todays money and he could sell for $750 mil - $1 bil Wilson is a smart and shrewd man I give him that
SABURZFAN
10-03-2006, 12:56 PM
He was not that wealthy when the Bills were founded. It was a $25,000 entry fee!
that's right.then he turned around and helped al davis with the Raiders.
SABURZFAN
10-03-2006, 12:57 PM
great investment $160k of todays money and he could sell for $750 mil - $1 bil Wilson is a smart and shrewd man I give him that
that's not counting his other investments either.
Mr. Miyagi
10-03-2006, 12:58 PM
Did he invent Wilson footballs?
WILSON!!
http://www.thx-trailer.com/replica/wilson2.JPG
northernbillfan
10-03-2006, 01:10 PM
WILSON!!
http://www.thx-trailer.com/replica/wilson2.JPG
I'm surprised it took this long for him to show up.
Mr. Miyagi
10-03-2006, 01:11 PM
My wife said something similar to me the other night. :ill:
Buckets
10-03-2006, 01:47 PM
I may be wrong but I think his companies produce Wilson Art, a formica type product.
http://www.rotten.com/library/bio/entertainers/actors/linda-lovelace/deep_throat_poster.jpg
Ralph Wilson also had a bit part in the film.
Gunzlingr
10-03-2006, 03:01 PM
I heard he was a major player in the invention of sliced bread.
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