The Kansas City Chiefs are on the verge of making NFL history with their chase of the elusive three-peat—or three consecutive Super Bowl titles. No other team has ever made it to the big game after winning consecutive titles, so the Chiefs already stand alone in that achievement. However, everyone in red and gold is dreaming of a third ring in three years.
The Chiefs' run of success has been far greater than that, however. The Chiefs have been to four of the last five Super Bowls and already have three titles in that span of time, going back to their first championship in 50 years with the win in SB LIV in 2019. They've also won 9 straight division titles in the AFC West, a run of dominance only paralleled by the New England Patriots dynasty with Bill Belichick as head coach.
But the Chiefs' brilliance is only a part of a proud franchise's history. To learn its history is to learn important NFL history as the Hunt family's ownership helped shape the NFL as we know it.
The History of the Chiefs' ownership
Lamar Hunt, a visionary businessman and sports pioneer, founded the franchise in 1960 as the Dallas Texans. The Texans were one of the original teams in the American Football League (AFL). Frustrated with the NFL’s refusal to grant him an expansion team, Hunt launched the AFL as a competing entity to attract audiences for a game with growing popularity.
In 1963, he relocated the franchise to Kansas City and renamed it the Chiefs. The team quickly became a powerhouse, winning Super Bowl IV in 1970 under Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram.
Lamar Hunt's Legacy and Influence
Lamar Hunt’s impact on American sports extends far beyond the Chiefs. As a founder of the AFL, he played a crucial role in its eventual merger with the NFL, a move that reshaped professional football. He was instrumental in the creation of the Super Bowl and even coined the name.
Beyond football, Hunt was a key figure in the growth of soccer in the U.S. as he helped to establish the North American Soccer League and, much later, Major League Soccer. He was also a visionary for pro tennis players as he founded the World Championship Tennis circuit.
His contributions to sports earned him inductions into multiple Hall of Fames, including the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972, the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1982, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1993. His vision and leadership continue to influence modern professional sports.
The Current Owner of the Kansas City Chiefs
Lamar Hunt remained a pivotal figure in the Chiefs' organization and the NFL until his passing in 2006. Following his death, his son Clark Hunt assumed the role of CEO and Chairman of the Chiefs as the public face even as the several members of the family formed the full ownership group.
Under Clark Hunt’s leadership, the Chiefs have reached new heights, especially after the hiring of Andy Reid as head coach in 2013. Since then, the Chiefs have climbed the ladder of success from annual playoff contenders to perennial Super Bowl favorites with quarterback Patrick Mahomes leading the charge. Hunt remains actively involved in NFL decisions, extending his father's legacy as an important figure for the sport.
Hunt is one of several owners extending the sport's popularity into new territories with the NFL's global push. The Chiefs have already played in Germany on one occasion and is scheduled to do so again in future years. The Chiefs are also active in expanding their brand and the sport in Mexico as well, with further marketing rights given for Austria and Switzerland.