The Boston Red Sox is a household name in Major League Baseball (MLB) and one of the most successful franchises. The Boston-based team was founded in 1901.
The Red Sox are one of the most successful teams in the franchise with over nine World Series titles.
Boston Red Sox Ownership History
The Boston Red Sox have gone through a series of ownership throughout their history.
Charles Somers - 1901-1902
Charles Somers was the first owner of the franchise. He successfully helped in establishing the Red Sox as one of the eight charter franchises of the American League. He played a significant role in bringing the team to Boston.
Henry Killilea & John I. Taylor - 1903-1911
Henry James Killilea was the next owner of the Boston Red Sox. He was an attorney. He was one of the founders of baseball's American League.
Killilea announced that in August 1901 he had acquired five-ninths of the Boston Americans from Charles Somers.
Killilea later sold the Boston Americans baseball team to John I. Taylor at a price reported to be $150,000.
John I. Taylor became the new owner of the Boston-based baseball following the acquisition from Killilea. He was the principal owner of the team.
James R. McAleer 1912-13
James R. McAleer was a former baseball player and manager who also became co-owner of the Boston Red Sox MLB franchise. He became a major stockholder in the team, purchasing a half-interest in the team.
Joseph Lannin - 1913-1916
Joseph Lannin became the next owner of the Red Sox and had an early success, winning a World Series championship in 1912. He was the sole owner of the team for most of the 1914 through 1916 seasons, winning two World Series titles.
Lannin and a group of investors purchased 50% of the Boston Red Sox baseball franchise from Jimmy McAleer and Robert B. McRoy on December 21, 1913. He later sold the team in 1917 to Harry Frazee for $675,000.
Harry H. Frazee 1917-23
Frazee acquired the Boston Red Sox baseball team from Joseph Lannin for a reported $675,000. The team won the World Series title under his watch.
J.A. Robert Quinn 1923-33
Thomas A. Yawkey 1933-76
Yawkey had a lengthy tenure as owner of the Boston Red Sox, which came with some notable investments in the team and the construction of Fenway Park. During his tenure, the Red Sox won several pennants.
Jean R. Yawkey, 1976-77
Following the passing of Tom Yawkey, Jean Yawkey continued to own the team.
Jean R. Yawkey: Haywood Sullivan, Edward G. LeRoux Jr. 1978-80
Jean R. Yawkey Trust: Haywood C. Sullivan, Edward G. LeRoux Jr, 1981-86
Jean R. Yawkey Trust: Haywood Sullivan
Jean R. Yawkey Trust 1994-2002
Fenway Sports Group (John W. Henry, Tom Werner, Sam Kennedy) - 2002-Present.
Founding Year
The Boston Red Sox were founded in 1901 as one of the eight charter franchises of the American League.