Edward Robert "Bobby" Ginn III was the chairman and CEO of Ginn Resorts, a resort development and management company, and former owner of the merged NASCAR Nextel Cup team Ginn Racing (formerly MB2 Motorsports, which he purchased from MB2 owner Nelson Bowers, Jr. in 2006).[1]
Ginn started Ginn Resorts in 1998 (then the Ginn Company). The company owned land in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Vermont, Colorado, Bahamas and Saint Thomas. During the economic boom of early 21st century, Bobby Ginn developed many high-end resorts. When the real estate market collapsed during the Global financial crisis, he faced approximately 30 lawsuits from investors who alleged that he used deceptive and misleading trade practices. Ginn planned to "vigorously defend against these false allegations".[2]
On July 25, 2007, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and Ginn Racing (named by Thomas Ginn in 2006) merged, forming a four-car team starting with the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.[3]
Ginn sponsored several professional golf events including the Ginn Championship at Hammock Beach, the Ginn Open at Reunion and the Ginn sur Mer Classic at the Conservatory. On January 28, 2009 The Ginn Companies withdrew their sponsorship of these events, will not be hosting or producing any of these professional golf tournaments (including 2009 tournaments), and will no longer be sponsoring professional golfers.[4]