Clinton Manges
Encyclopedia
Clinton Manges was a controversial oil tycoon in Texas
in the 1970s and 1980s.
Manges was born in Cement, Oklahoma
, but began amassing his fortune in South Texas in the early 1970s when he befriended political boss
George Parr, the "Duke of Duval." In 1971 he bought a 100000 acres (404.7 km²) ranch in the county. http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19950826&id=VHQKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vkoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6720,4557854
Unlike most of his contemporaries, Manges was an unabashed liberal. In contrast, most Texas oil barons like Eddie Chiles
, Bunker and Lamar Hunt
, Clint Murchison, and Bill Clements
were extremely conservative and supported Republican candidates. With his large fortune, Manges was soon one of the most prolific supporters of Democratic candidates in Texas. He would often donate $50,000 or more to various statewide campaigns. Paul Burka of Texas Monthly wrote of Manges in 1984, "By mastering the mysterious ways of South Texas, Clinton Manges has built an empire, amassed political influence, declared war on the state establishment—and left bitter enemies in his wake." He was also famously involved in an alleged conspiracy with Attorney General Jim Mattox
to sue Mobil Oil after Mattox had received a donation from him of $125,000.
into granting him an expansion franchise, the San Antonio Gunslingers
. Despite Manges' wealth, the Gunslingers were badly undercapitalized. His habit of paying team expenses out-of-pocket caught up with him in 1985, when his oil fortune collapsed (though he'd been in financial trouble since at least 1980). In the ESPN documentary Small Potatoes - Who Killed the USFL? that first aired on Tues. October 20, 2009, former Gunslingers quarterback Rick Neuheisel
stated that during that season, the players would often race each other to the bank in order to cash their paychecks. According to Neuheisel, the players knew that the first 50% of the checks deposited were likely to clear, but that the other half would likely bounce.
In June, Manges essentially walked away from the Gunslingers and stopped paying the team's bills, forcing the team to play the last stretch of the season for free. When he refused to make restitution for the team's debts, league commissioner Harry Usher
revoked the franchise. The players sued Manges to recover back pay, but that suit collapsed when he declared bankruptcy. It is not known if the players and coaches were ever fully paid.
.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in the 1970s and 1980s.
Manges was born in Cement, Oklahoma
Cement, Oklahoma
Cement is a town in Caddo County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 530 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cement is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
, but began amassing his fortune in South Texas in the early 1970s when he befriended political boss
Political boss
A boss, in politics, is a person who wields the power over a particular political region or constituency. Bosses may dictate voting patterns, control appointments, and wield considerable influence in other political processes. They do not necessarily hold public office themselves...
George Parr, the "Duke of Duval." In 1971 he bought a 100000 acres (404.7 km²) ranch in the county. http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19950826&id=VHQKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vkoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6720,4557854
Unlike most of his contemporaries, Manges was an unabashed liberal. In contrast, most Texas oil barons like Eddie Chiles
Eddie Chiles
Harrell Edmonds "Eddie" Chiles was the founder of the Western Company of North America and an owner of the Texas Rangers. He was also the paternal uncle of actress Lois Chiles....
, Bunker and Lamar Hunt
Lamar Hunt
Lamar Hunt was an American sportsman and promoter of American football, soccer, basketball, and ice hockey in the United States and an inductee into three sports' halls of fame. He was one of the founders of the American Football League and Major League Soccer , as well as MLS predecessor the...
, Clint Murchison, and Bill Clements
Bill Clements
William Perry "Bill" Clements, Jr. was the 42nd and 44th Governor of Texas, serving from 1979 to 1983 and 1987 to 1991. Clements was the first Republican to have served as governor of the U.S. state of Texas since Reconstruction...
were extremely conservative and supported Republican candidates. With his large fortune, Manges was soon one of the most prolific supporters of Democratic candidates in Texas. He would often donate $50,000 or more to various statewide campaigns. Paul Burka of Texas Monthly wrote of Manges in 1984, "By mastering the mysterious ways of South Texas, Clinton Manges has built an empire, amassed political influence, declared war on the state establishment—and left bitter enemies in his wake." He was also famously involved in an alleged conspiracy with Attorney General Jim Mattox
Jim Mattox
James Albon Mattox was a Dallas lawyer and Texas Democratic politician who served three terms in the United States House of Representatives and two four-year terms as state Attorney General, but lost high profile races for Governor in 1990, the U.S. Senate in 1994, and again as attorney general...
to sue Mobil Oil after Mattox had received a donation from him of $125,000.
San Antonio Gunslingers
In 1984, Manges talked the fledgling United States Football LeagueUnited States Football League
The United States Football League was an American football league which was in active operation from 1983 to 1987. It played a spring/summer schedule in its first three seasons and a traditional autumn/winter schedule was set to commence before league operations ceased.The USFL was conceived in...
into granting him an expansion franchise, the San Antonio Gunslingers
San Antonio Gunslingers
The San Antonio Gunslingers were a professional American football team based in San Antonio, Texas that played in the USFL in 1984 and 1985. Rick Neuheisel was the team's quarterback and only recognizable name. The team played in Alamo Stadium...
. Despite Manges' wealth, the Gunslingers were badly undercapitalized. His habit of paying team expenses out-of-pocket caught up with him in 1985, when his oil fortune collapsed (though he'd been in financial trouble since at least 1980). In the ESPN documentary Small Potatoes - Who Killed the USFL? that first aired on Tues. October 20, 2009, former Gunslingers quarterback Rick Neuheisel
Rick Neuheisel
Richard Gerald "Rick" Neuheisel, Jr. , is an American football coach, former player, and attorney. He was most recently the head football coach at University of California, Los Angeles, a position he held from 2008 to 2011...
stated that during that season, the players would often race each other to the bank in order to cash their paychecks. According to Neuheisel, the players knew that the first 50% of the checks deposited were likely to clear, but that the other half would likely bounce.
In June, Manges essentially walked away from the Gunslingers and stopped paying the team's bills, forcing the team to play the last stretch of the season for free. When he refused to make restitution for the team's debts, league commissioner Harry Usher
Harry Usher
Harry Lester Usher was an American attorney who was the second and last commissioner of the United States Football League . He was also the executive vice president and general manager of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee , which oversaw the business operations of the 1984 Summer Olympics...
revoked the franchise. The players sued Manges to recover back pay, but that suit collapsed when he declared bankruptcy. It is not known if the players and coaches were ever fully paid.
Bankruptcy and prison
Manges' empire eventually collapsed and he was convicted and sentenced to prison for two years because of mail fraud. He also lost his 100000 acres (404.7 km²) ranch to Chapter 11 bankruptcy. He died in San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
.