How'd he get his money?

Last update: August 11, 2008 - 10:03 PM

Owned Ameritel, one of the United States' first telemarketing companies; Rainfair, an outdoor and raingear manufacturer, and several other small businesses and restaurants.

Net worth: Unknown, although his wife, Helen Johnson-Leipold, is worth $2.2 billion, according to Forbes magazine.

Purchased team: After selling the Nashville Predators in 2007, he bought the Wild in 2008 for $260 million.

Current value of team: $260 million.

Management style: Passionate fan who doesn't let that filter into the office, where by all accounts he didn't interfere in hockey decisions. Believes in stability and patience -- the Predators have had one coach and GM in their existence.

Biggest success as a sports owner: Bringing the NHL to Nashville and helping negotiate the new collective bargaining agreement.

Biggest failure as a sports owner: Claimed more than $60 million in losses in Nashville, $27 million in the two years after the lockout. In a letter to the season-ticket holders after the 2006-07 season, Leipold said the season-ticket number of 13,589 was 2,000 short of the league average and corporate support made up 35 percent of the season-ticket bases, which is around 60 percent in other markets.

Other interests: Golfing, fishing, hiking and collecting sports memorabilia, and he's a loyal supporter of the Republican Party. He has donated $74,399 over the years to several Republican campaigns, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Summing it up: "My philosophy is, 'If there's a chance to win, you go for it. I mean, we're all in this for one thing, absolutely one thing, and that's to win the Stanley Cup.' "

MICHAEL RUSSO

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