Paul A. Mooney

Paul A. Mooney (c. 1941 – April 23, 2000) was an American sports executive who served as president of the Boston Bruins and Boston Garden from October 1, 1975 to March 24, 1987.^[1]

Early life and career

Mooney was born in Miami,^[2] and his father was J. D. Mooney, a jockey who rode 1924 Kentucky Derby winner Black Gold.^[3] His brother, John J. Mooney, was a horse racing executive and a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.^[4]

Mooney graduated from Harvard College and did graduate studies at Harvard Business School.^[2]

Prior to joining the Bruins, Mooney worked in the horse racing industry. He served as executive vice-president and treasurer and later president of the Louisville Racing Corporation, executive vice president of the Kentucky Jockey Club, and executive vice president of Latonia Race Course.^[3][5][6] He also was a vice president of Sportsystems.^[6]

Boston Bruins

Mooney was named president of the Boston Bruins and Boston Garden on October 1, 1975 after the team and arena were purchased by Sportsystems.^[2]

During his tenure as president, he twice reached agreements with the Boston Celtics to remain at the Garden,^[7][8] led the effort against the NHL–WHA merger,^[9][10] worked on the Bruins' failed move to Salem, New Hampshire,^[3][11] fired longtime Garden organist John Kiley,^[12] and along with other members of Bruins management helped take care of Bruins' player Normand Leveille after he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and fell into a coma.^[13]

On May 30, 1986, William D. Hassett, Jr. was named chairman and chief executive officer of the Boston Bruins and the Boston Garden. Although Mooney retained his positions, he now answered to Hassett.^[14] On March 24, 1987 Mooney was fired and replaced by Hassett as Bruins president and Lawrence Moulter as Garden president.

While working for the Bruins and the Garden, Mooney also owned part of the Campbell Sports Network, a Plymouth, New Hampshire-based radio network than owned the rights to Boston Red Sox games from 1983 to 1989.^[15]

Mooney was also a member Boston Athletic Association board of directors. He was credited by sportswriter Will McDonough with helping bring the Boston Marathon back to prominence.^[16]

Death

Mooney died on April 23, 2000 at the age of 59 at his home in Duxbury, Massachusetts due to cancer.^[2]

References

1. "Bruins Presidents, General Managers, Coaches and Captains" (PDF). Boston Bruins. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
2. "Paul A. Mooney, 59, Former Boston Garden President". The Boston Globe. April 25, 2000.
3. "Jacobs Bros. Purchasing Rockingham". AP. November 11, 1980. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
4. "John J. Mooney". Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
5. The American racing manual (America's Turf Authority): 769. 1972. Missing or empty |title= (help)
6. "Who owns Bruins?". AP. October 1, 1975. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
7. "Celtics to stay at Boston Garden". AP. May 19, 1977. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
8. "Basketball: Celtics". Record-Journal. July 2, 1983. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
9. "Bruins will lead anti-merger plans". AP. November 23, 1978. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
10. "Bruins threaten merger suit". AP. March 20, 1979. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
11. "Bruins see Rose Garden in Salem". AP. January 15, 1981. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
12. Ryan, Bob (July 16, 1993). "Kiley was a three-sport star". Boston Globe.
13. "Leville receives messages of hope". CP. October 29, 1982. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
14. DuPont, Kevin Paul (June 13, 1986). "A New Boss; Hassett Takes Over Garden Management". Boston Globe.
15. "Sox get radio contract". AP. October 22, 1982. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
16. McDonough, Will (March 25, 1987). "Was Mooney Fall Guy?". Boston Globe.