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 Ten years ago, The Deal LLC published its first issue. Within those 22 pages, senior writer David Carey broke down the top 50 dealmakers, estimating their 1999 salary and highlighting their dealmaking activity. For our 10th anniversary, we will be checking back with some of the big names on that list and taking a look at what they're up to now. Subscribers to The Deal Pipeline can access all the links below.First up is consummate Texan and legendary dealmaker Thomas Hicks, now chairman of Hicks Acquisition Co. 1 Inc. (AMEX:TOH), a $552 million special purpose acquisition company. In 1999, Hicks was chairman of buyout firm Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst, which he co-founded in 1989. Carey estimated his income in 1999 to be $155 million, pointing toward several capital sources, including the sale of Berg Electronics Corp., Marcus Cable Co., Mandeville Cable Partners, Argentina II, Atrium Corp. and Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. Hicks is probably best known, however, as chairman of the board and owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team and owner of the Dallas Stars hockey team. He also owns a 50% stake in the Liverpool Football Club of Britain's Premier League. Hicks retired from Hicks Muse in 2004, having been "burned by a $1.2 billion plunge into telecom investments in 1999," according to BusinessWeek, and turned to his dream of reviving his beloved sports team, the Rangers, which brought in Alex Rodriquez for a hefty sum -- $252 million over 10 years -- but nonetheless ended 2003 last place in its division. The downturn has been as tough on Hicks as it has been on anyone. In March, shortly after defaulting on a $525 million loan, Hicks said that he was looking to sell a 49% stake in the Rangers and a 49% stake in the Dallas Stars to raise money to pay his creditors (see our Hockey Dealwatch here). On Sept. 4, it was reported that Hicks had received six initial offers for the Rangers. But Hicks this year hasn't solely focused on divestitures. Hicks Acquisition Co. agreed to buy Denver oil and gas explorer Resolute Natural Resources Co. for $582 million. As part of the deal, Hicks and private equity firm Blackstone Group LP (NYSE:BX) agreed to cancel their previously announced $3.2 billion reverse merger of food packaging business Graham Packaging Holdings Co. In March, it was reported that the other owner of the Liverpool Football Club, George Gillett Jr., wanted to sell his 50% stake, but Hicks has said he could block Gillett's sale and was determined to hold on to the team. According to Forbes magazine, Hicks has an estimated wealth of $1 billion as of 2009. Below is a breakdown of Hick's various investment vehicles and what they do: Hicks Holdings
Subscribers to The Deal Pipeline can see all of Hicks Acquisition Co.'s activity here Click here for a 2006 BusinessWeek profile of Hicks follow me on Twitter @sarabehunek
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