Alexis Thompson (American football owner)

Alexis "Lex" Thompson was an owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Steagles. Thompson was a graduate of Yale University, was the heir to a six million fortune in steel stocks, a U.S. Army corporal, and an Entrepreneur who made millions selling eye care products. Steelers owner Art Rooney bought half interest in the Eagles and sold the Steelers to 28-year old Thompson for $160,000 in 1940.[1] After having second thoughts, the owners traded their cities back to each other (but kept the players) before the start of the 1941 season. Thompson sold the Eagles franchise to a group of investors known as the "Happy Hundred" for $250,000 on January 15, 1949.[2]

Thompson's body was discovered on December 21, 1954 in his apartment. He died of an apparent heart attack.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Dvorchak, Robert (August 26, 2007). "Blood Brothers: The 1943 Steagles became an unlikely product of the war years". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  2. ↑ Didinger, Ray; Robert S. Lyons (2005). The Eagles Encyclopedia. Temple University Press. pp. 127–128. ISBN 1-59213-449-1.
  3. ↑ "Alexis Thompson Pro Eagles Grid Ex-Owner Dies". The News and Courier. 21 December 1954. Retrieved 14 January 2014.