Ice hockey is one of the favorite sports for some sports fanatics. The National Hockey League (NHL), a professional ice hockey league in North America, annually pulls hundreds of thousands of fans to the stadiums and on tv because it has such a large fan base. In addition, ice hockey players, coaches, and team owners have benefited financially from the sport's fame in the USA and Canada. Craig Leipold is one such individual who has been involved in the sport for quite some time now.
Craig did not begin his career in ice hockey, but he is now considered one of the successful personalities. So, let's take a look at Craig Leipold's biography, including information about his upbringing, his start in this sector, and how he managed to be at the top. Also, keep reading to discover more interesting facts about his love life.
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From A College Graduate To Businessman
Craig was born on June 3, 1952, in the United States. He was raised in a loving, supportive family that only wanted the best for their children. His dad was a tremendous inspiration to him, and his mom was also kind and helped him to move in the right way. Craig Leipold's parents, Betty Jo Leipold and Werner "Lefty" Leipold raised him along with his brother, Lance Leipold, in Memphis.
Unfortunately, Craig Leipold's mom passed away on November 20, 2014, after a short illness. She had a cardiac arrest during hip surgery, which resulted from a fall in a parking lot while walking into the church.
Speaking of academics, the business guru earned a political science degree from Hendrix College. Craig worked incredibly hard from an early age to grow his business empire, which is how he became a self-made billionaire.
ALSO READ: In What Business Are Craig Leipold And Helen Johnson-Leipold's Children Involved In?
Craig Leipold Net Worth And Career
After college, the American businessman founded Ameritel Corporation, a telemarketing company specializing in business-to-business sales and contracts for significant corporations. Leipold also bought the Rainfair Company, which produced safety footwear, which he sold n 1996 for $10 million. In addition, he served as a director of Gaylord Entertainment Company, the proprietor of Nashville, Tennessee's Grand Ole Opry.
Craig, who knew basketball well, was first considered a potential investor or owner in the NBA Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks teams. However, later, he preferred to be the owner of an ice hockey franchise due to more opportunities. As a result, in 1997, he obtained his first NHL franchise by purchasing the Nashville Predators. After continuing with them for 10 years, he sold it in 2007.
Currently, Craig is the majority owner of Minnesota Sports and Entertainment, which includes the AHL Houston Aeros, the NHL team Minnesota Wild, the Xcel Energy Center, the Minnesota Swarm from the National Lacrosse League, Wildside Caterers, and the Saint Paul RiverCentre. Minnesota Wild, which he purchased in 2008, is valued at $850 million, per Forbes' reports as of December 2022. As a sole owner, Craig Leipold's net worth is estimated at around $3.6 billion.
Craig Leipold is a American businessman and owner of NHL team Minnesota Wild. Image Source: Minnesota Wild Twitter.
According to the statistics cited by sportscasting, Craig is the 10th wealthiest NFL owner. Besides, he has backed many Republican candidates like Paul Ryan, Norm Coleman, John McCain, Michele Bachmann, and Mitt Romney.
The NHL owner has a reputation for supporting the professional ice hockey sector and advancing a more fan-friendly NHL. Additionally, he has participated in the League's Audit and Executive committees. In 2006, Leipold was ranked 22nd in The Hockey News' annual 'People of Power and Influence' list.
Likewise, John Sherman is another billionaire businessman who currently owns Kansas City Royals, the American Major League Baseball team.
Happily Married To Billionaire Heir Helen Johnson-Leipold
Along with functioning as the public face of Minnesota Wild, Craig Leipold is also a devoted family man. He is blissfully happy to Helen Johnson-Leipold, an heir to the privately held cleaning products company SC Johnson. According to Forbes, her estimated net worth in 2023 is $5 billion.
Craig Leipold's wife is the chairperson and CEO of Johnson Outdoors, a publicly traded business that supplies outdoor equipment. Additionally, the wealthy couple currently splits their time between Racine, Wisconsin, and Saint Paul, Minnesota.
The pair got married in 1987 and have been happily together for over three decades. Craig and Helen are proud parents of their five sons, Christopher Leipold, Kyle Leipold, Connor Leipold, Curtis Leipold, and Bradford Leipold.
Craig Leipold is effectively managing Minnesota Wild and guiding them to tremendous success. He has also been a great father and a good husband. We hope he leads to tremendous success in his personal and professional life.
Trivia And Facts
- Craig Leipold has authored Hockey Tonk: The Amazing Story of the Nashville.
- He has been named Nashville Father's Day Council "1999 Father of the Year," Nashville Sports Council "Sports Person of the Year," and others.
