Business & Science
Red McCombs
Spur-born Red McCombs built a Texas-centered business career spanning automobile dealerships, professional sports and Clear Channel Communications, then became one of the state's most visible higher-education philanthropists.
- Roster rank
- #184
- Category
- Business & Science
- Subject type
- Person
- Profile source
- Published Texas Icons profile
Texas story
Life and career
Billy Joe 'Red' McCombs was born in Spur, Texas, in 1927 and moved through Corpus Christi and university studies before entering automobile sales. He became a major dealership owner and later expanded into professional sports, real estate, ranching, energy and media from a long-term San Antonio base.
McCombs owned the San Antonio Spurs twice, also owned the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Vikings, and joined Lowry Mays in the company that became Clear Channel Communications. His philanthropy included a transformative $50 million gift that led the University of Texas business school to take his name.
Defining work
What to know
- Red McCombs Automotive
- San Antonio Spurs ownership
- Clear Channel Communications
- $50 million UT business-school gift
- McCombs School of Business
Timeline
Key milestones
- 1927Born in Spur, Texas.
- 1950sBuilds his career in automobile sales and dealerships.
- 1970sExpands into professional sports and media ventures.
- 2000Makes the $50 million gift that leads UT's business school to carry the McCombs name.
- 2023Dies in San Antonio at age 95.
Texas connections
Places in the story
Spur
West Texas birthplace.
Early education and business chapter.
Long-term business, sports and philanthropic home.
Austin
University of Texas and McCombs School legacy.
Legacy
Why the story lasts
McCombs linked several industries that became central to modern Texas business: autos, sports ownership, broadcasting, real estate and energy.
His philanthropy made his name a permanent part of Texas higher education as well as San Antonio civic life.
Sources
Research trail
Cross-linked profiles