• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Dispute Among Texans’ Ownership Marks Latest NFL Family Feud

  • NFL team owner faces court challenge from her son of being declared incapacitated.
  • The league has a long history of thorny intrafamily disputes among franchise owners.
Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates with wide receiver Nico Collins (12) after a touchdown during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL has struggled for decades with public intra-family feuds among its ownership ranks, and another potentially thorny situation is developing in Houston.

Robert Cary McNair Jr., son of Texans owner Janice McNair and the late Bob McNair, has submitted an application of permanent guardianship for his 87-year-old mother and her estate, asking the Harris County Probate Court to declare her incapacitated. The application is being opposed by both Janice McNair and Cal McNair, another of her sons who also serves as Texans chair and CEO. 

In a request for court records to be sealed, Janice McNair called the matter a “family dispute.”

“It will create a needless and baseless media stir regarding the ownership and direction of the Texans,” she wrote, “thereby negatively affecting our employees, business partners, and the team.” 

History of Strife

The Texans’ situation is far from the first issue among NFL team ownership families that has spilled into the public realm.

  • Miami Dolphins: After the 1990 death of former owner Joe Robbie, family infighting helped lead to a discounted sale of the team to pay a reported $47 million in estate taxes.
  • Washington Commanders: After the 1997 death of former owner Jack Kent Cooke, the team was left to his foundation with instruction to sell it, forcing his son to mount an ultimately unsuccessful bid to buy the team on the open market.
  • New Orleans Saints: Owner Gayle Benson spent nearly a decade in dispute with the children of her late husband, Tom Benson, whom she married later his life. But she ultimately gained control of the team and NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, and a deadline to challenge the validity of his will lapsed last year.
  • Denver Broncos: The team was sold in 2022 after the children of the late Pat Bowlen were unable to agree on an in-family succession plan.

The McNair dispute arrives as the Texans prepare to host the Cleveland Browns on Saturday in the wild card playoff round. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Wants to Expand International Slate, Will Evaluate Saudi Arabia

The league is evaluating a mix of new and existing markets for 2026.
Netflix

Netflix Staying on the Sidelines As TNT Sports Parent Seeks Buyer

The streaming giant shows little interest in acquisition possibilities.

The AWS Outage Wreaked Havoc in Sports

Ticketmaster, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Strava all had problems.
Oct 5, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees smiles prior to the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome.

Drew Brees Flag Football League Sells to PE Amid Youth Boom

Football ‘N’ America operates 24 flag football leagues across the country.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.

After Heavy Pushback, LaLiga’s Controversial Miami Match Canceled

Hard Rock Stadium was set to host Barcelona-Villarreal on Dec. 20.
October 20, 2025

Blue Jays $280M Payroll Pays Off With a Trip to the World..

Toronto is back in the Fall Classic for the first time in 32 years.
October 21, 2025

The NBA’s $77B Future Starts Tonight 

Seven 2025 NBA All-Stars will miss the start of the season.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
Verstappen
October 20, 2025

ESPN’s Final F1 Season Is Turning Into A Thriller 

F1 is averaging 1.4 million viewers on ESPN networks this year.
IndyCar driver Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood, left, celebrates winning the Detroit Grand Prix with team co-owner Dan Towriss in Detroit on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
October 17, 2025

Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss Defends  $700 Million Apple Deal

“We’re going to have a bigger reach than what people think.”
Hansi Flick
October 17, 2025

Barcelona Players, Coach ‘Not Happy’ About Miami Game

La Liga is on the verge of relocating a December match.
Jun 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Second place Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) sprays champagne on winner Mercedes driver George Russell (63) at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
October 17, 2025

Apple Officially Taking F1 Rights From ESPN in $700M Deal

ESPN has broadcast F1 in the U.S. since 2018.