John W. Henry stands as a towering figure in the world of sports ownership, renowned as the principal owner of Fenway Sports Group (FSG). This global powerhouse spans sports, marketing, media, entertainment, and real estate, anchored by iconic franchises such as the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool Football Club, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Beyond these flagship teams, John W. Henry also holds a directorship in NASCAR’s RFK Racing, where FSG maintains a near 50 percent stake, and a controlling interest in the innovative Boston Common Golf, featuring PGA TOUR stars Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, and Adam Scott.
John W. Henry at a racing event, showcasing his diverse sports portfolio
Before establishing Fenway Sports Group, John W. Henry honed his expertise in sports ownership as chairman and sole owner of the Florida Marlins (1999-2001) and as a limited partner with the New York Yankees (1991-2003). His deep understanding of baseball extends to leadership roles within Major League Baseball itself. John W. Henry currently chairs Major League Baseball’s Business Board, acts as an Ex Officio member of its Executive Council, and contributes to the Committee on Economic Reform and the Investment Committee, demonstrating his significant influence on the sport’s strategic direction.
Expanding his influence further into the realm of professional golf, John W. Henry serves as Manager of Strategic Sports Group (SSG). This consortium of prominent American sports team owners has made a substantial minority investment in PGA TOUR Enterprises, the commercial engine of the PGA TOUR. In 2024, SSG finalized a major financial and strategic partnership with PGA TOUR Enterprises, aiming to maximize revenue for PGA TOUR players and elevate the global game of golf. Complementing his managerial role at SSG, John W. Henry also holds a position on the Board of Directors of PGA TOUR Enterprises, granting him oversight of all commercial activities associated with the PGA TOUR.
Venturing beyond the traditional sports landscape, John W. Henry co-founded iRacing.com in 2004 with Dave Kaemmer. This venture has since become the world’s leading motorsport racing simulation platform, providing a wider array of racing disciplines than any other online competitor. iRacing exemplifies John W. Henry’s commitment to innovation and his ability to identify and cultivate cutting-edge opportunities within the broader sports and entertainment industry.
John W. Henry’s career is not solely defined by sports. For over three decades, he served as chairman of John W. Henry & Company, Inc., a global investment management firm he founded in 1981. His early career saw him emerge as a pioneer in commodities futures trading, establishing a strong foundation in finance and investment management that underpins his success in sports ownership and beyond.
In a significant move into media, John W. Henry acquired the Boston Globe in October 2013, becoming only the third owner in the history of New England’s largest newspaper. The following year, he took on the additional role of publisher, becoming the newspaper’s ninth publisher, demonstrating his commitment to journalism and its vital role in the community.
Throughout his illustrious career, John W. Henry has contributed his expertise to numerous boards and organizations. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Futures Industry Association (FIA), the National Association of Futures Trading Advisors, and the Managed Futures Trade Association. His pioneering contributions to alternative asset financial products were recognized with his election to the FIA’s Futures Hall of Fame.
John W. Henry’s commitment extends to philanthropic endeavors as well. He has served on the board of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and as a Trustee of Massachusetts General Hospital, Boca Raton Community Hospital, and a board member of the Library of Congress Trust Fund, reflecting his dedication to health, well-being, and cultural enrichment.
His achievements have been further recognized through honorary doctorate degrees from Northeastern University and Boston University. John W. Henry has also received the Charles Hamilton Houston Justice Award, the Master Entrepreneur of the Year Award in New England, and a lifetime achievement award from Alternative Investment News, underscoring his broad impact and lasting legacy.
Born in Quincy, Illinois, John W. Henry’s formative years were spent on a family farm in Forrest City, Arkansas. Growing up a devoted Cardinals fan, listening to legendary broadcasters like Harry Caray, Jack Buck, and Joe Garagiola, his early passion for baseball was ignited. At the age of nine, he attended his first Major League Baseball game at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis – a city that would later witness his Boston Red Sox triumph in the 2004 World Series, bringing his journey full circle. John W. Henry’s trajectory from a childhood immersed in baseball to becoming a global sports magnate is a testament to his vision, strategic acumen, and unwavering dedication to excellence.
