Louis Nippert (December 24, 1903 – November 16, 1992)[1] was an American attorney, and majority owner of the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB) from January 1973 to February 1981.

Louis Nippert
Born(1903-12-24)December 24, 1903
DiedNovember 16, 1992(1992-11-16) (aged 88)
Alma materUniversity of Cincinnati
OccupationAttorney
Known forOwner of the Cincinnati Reds (19731980)
SpouseLouise Dieterle Nippert (1911–2012)
Awards

Biography edit

Nippert was born in Cincinnati in 1903, a great-grandson of James Gamble, a founder of Procter & Gamble.[2][3] Nippert attended the University of Cincinnati, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity[4] and earned his law degree in 1928. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1971.[5] He worked as an attorney, and served two terms in the Ohio House of Representatives,[2][3] having won election in November 1928 and November 1930 as a Republican candidate representing Hamilton County.[6][7]

In December 1966, Nippert bought into the Cincinnati Reds as part of the ownership group led by Francis L. Dale.[8] He bought majority control of the franchise in January 1973.[9] Nippert was at the helm for the Reds' most successful era, in which they won the World Series of 1975 and 1976. Generally, he was a hands-off owner, leaving the team in the hands of general manager Bob Howsam. On February 20, 1981, Nippert sold his interest to a group headed by minority owners William and James Williams.[10]

Nippert was also a limited owner of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League.[2] Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, home field of the Cincinnati Bearcats football team, was named after his brother, James, who died following an injury in a college football game in 1923.[11][12]

Nippert died in November 1992, aged 89.[2][13] He was married and was survived by his wife,[11] Louise, who died in July 2012, aged 100.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ "Social Security Death Index". Social Security Administration. Retrieved August 24, 2020 – via fold3.com.
  2. ^ a b c d "Louis Nippert, Cincinnati Sportsman, 89". The New York Times. AP. November 19, 1992. p. D-20 – via nytimes.com.
  3. ^ a b "New Owners Of Red Varied In Activity". The Cincinnati Enquirer. December 6, 1966. p. 35. Retrieved August 24, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ https://sae.historyit.com/item-detail.php?id=893
  5. ^ a b Rieselman, Deborah (September 2012). "UC loses reknown[sic] philanthropist, alumna Louise Dieterle Nippert". UC Magazine. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  6. ^ "Ohio G. O. P. Is Sure Of 24 In Senate And 89 In House". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 8, 1928. p. 3. Retrieved August 24, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Final Returns". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 6, 1930. p. 11. Retrieved August 24, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Reds Club Purchased By Cincinnati Group". Times Recorder. Zanesville, Ohio. UPI. December 6, 1966. p. 2-B. Retrieved August 24, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Louis Nippert Gains Control Of Cincinnati Reds Franchise". Coshocton Tribune. Coshocton, Ohio. UPI. January 12, 1973. p. 8. Retrieved August 24, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Wagner still the boss despite realignment". The News-Messenger. Fremont, Ohio. AP. February 21, 1981. p. 11. Retrieved August 24, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b "Nippert". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 17, 1992. p. 10. Retrieved August 24, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Doane, Kathleen (October 31, 2014). "The Nippert Family: A Study In The Power Of Philanthropy". cincinnatimagazine.com. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  13. ^ "Louis Nippert, 89, Reds owner". The News-Press. Fort Myers, Florida. AP. November 17, 1992. p. 21. Retrieved August 24, 2020 – via newspapers.com.

Further reading edit

External links edit