Robert C. Wetenhall

Robert C. "Bob" Wetenhall Sr.,[2] is an American businessman who owned the Montreal Alouettes Football Club of the Canadian Football League from 1997 through 2018.[3]

Robert C. Wetenhall Sr.
Born1934/1935 (age 85–86)[1]
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
NationalityUSA
OccupationInvestment Banking, Founder of New York firm McConnel Wetenhall Inc.
Known forOwner of the Montreal Alouettes Football Club
Football career
Career information
Position(s)Owner
CollegePrinceton University
Career history
As administrator
1997–2018Montreal Alouettes
Career stats

Biography

Robert (Bob) Wetenhall was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the American Midwest. He graduated from Princeton University and became an investment banker, becoming a founding partner of McConnell Wetenhall Inc. When the American Football League and National Football League merged in the 1960s Wetenhall became a part owner of the Boston Patriots of the AFL and the New England Patriots of the NFL. In the 1970s Wetenhall became involved in a North American soccer team. In 1997 Wetenhall purchased the Montreal Alouettes Canadian Football League club. During his ownership the Alouettes played in eight Grey Cups during the 14 seasons between 1997 and 2010. In addition they won three championships in the 2002, 2009 and 2010 seasons.[4] On May 31, 2019, Wetenhall, facing old age and worsening conditions both on-field (the team missed the playoffs four consecutive seasons) and off-field with worsening attendance and exponentially growing financial losses, surrendered ownership of the Alouettes to the league in hopes of finding a new owner.[5]

He was granted an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by McGill University on November 23, 2011, in recognition of his work in the redevelopment of the Montreal Alouettes and the expansion of Percival Molson Memorial Stadium.[6]

In 2015, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.[7]

References
  1. Zurkowsky, Herb (September 9, 2016). "'We're not for sale,' Alouettes owner Robert Wetenhall says". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  2. Milton, Steve (19 January 2006). "Evening the playing field CFL gets tough on teams". Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  3. "How do the Alouettes Maintain High Level of Success?", Paul Hoogkamp, 2009-10-06, The Sports Network.
  4. "Robert C. Wetenhall". CFLapedia. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  5. "Alouettes sold to the CFL". 3downnation.com. May 31, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  6. "Bob Wetenhall receives honorary McGill University degree". Montreal Alouettes. 2011-11-23. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  7. "Dickenson, Makowsky lead 2015 Hall of Fame class". TSN. November 28, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2019.


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