Thomas McCloskey

Thomas D. McCloskey (May 27, 1924—2005) was a Philadelphia construction magnate. He became the president of McCloskey & Company, Builders, in 1961 when his father, former Democratic National Treasurer Matthew H. McCloskey, was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.

He supervised the building of, among others, the Philadelphia Mint, Centre Square, the Mann Music Center, Veterans Stadium, The Spectrum, and RFK Stadium.[1][2] He was chair of the Liberty Bowl, shortly before it left Philadelphia. McCloskey was the founder of the North American Soccer League team the Philadelphia Atoms, who played in McCloskey's Veterans Stadium.[3] After failing in a bid to purchase the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, he was granted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers expansion franchise.[4] He could not come to terms with the NFL over a payment method, and was replaced as owner by Hugh Culverhouse before the team ever began play.[5]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.upenn.edu/gazette/0305/0305obits.html
  2. ↑ Mizell, Hubert. "McCloskey owner of Tampa team". St. Petersburg Times. 31 Oct 1974
  3. ↑ Shrake, Edwin. "Big D Reduced to Atoms". Sports Illustrated. 3 Sep 1973
  4. ↑ Mizell, Hubert. "McCloskey owner of Tampa team". St. Petersburg Times. 31 Oct 1974
  5. ↑ Mizell, Hubert. "Economics chase McCloskey out". St. Petersburg Times. 6 Dec 1974