{{Short description|American businessman (born 1944)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Paul Fireman | image = Paul Fireman.jpg | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth-date and age|February 14, 1944}} | birth_place = Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. | alma_mater = | employer = Fireman Capital Partners | occupation = Businessman | spouse = Phyllis Brenner<ref name=rynecki/> | children = }}
'''Paul Fireman''' (born February 14, 1944) is an American businessman, who for 26 years led Reebok International, Ltd. as chairman and CEO. Fireman sold Reebok to Adidas in 2005.
==Early life and education== Fireman was born February 14, 1944, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to a Jewish family<ref name=rynecki>{{cite news|last1=Rynecki|first1=David|title=Fireman's Fantasy|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2005/10/17/8358052/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423095810/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2005/10/17/8358052/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 23, 2006|access-date=18 October 2015|publisher=Fortune|date=17 October 2005|quote=Some stories suggest that Fireman never seriously pushed his case; others that Fireman's high profile was a concern. A more controversial account: Fireman was blackballed because he is Jewish}}</ref> and raised in the working-class city of Brockton, Massachusetts, also called 'Shoe City'. He attended high school at Tabor Academy, a private secondary school in Marion, MA and matriculated to Boston University, but did not graduate.<ref name=lat>{{cite news|last1=AP|title=The Man Who Made Reebok Jump High|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-aug-15-fi-reebok15-story.html|access-date=18 October 2015|newspaper=LA Times|date=15 August 2005}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Fireman and his wife Phyllis<ref name="lat" /> (née Brenner) grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts and met at age 12 at a YMHA mixer. Fireman and his wife, Phyllis, are competitive bridge players. In 2014, his team won the Roth Open Swiss Teams at the Summer North American Bridge Championship (NABC) in Las Vegas<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/massachusetts/newton/chestnut-hill-native-wins-national-title-north-american-bridge-championship|title=Chestnut Hill native wins national title at North American Bridge Championship|date=2014-08-19|website=Newton, MA Patch|language=en|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> and subsequently captured the bronze medal representing the U.S. in Chennai, India at the World Bridge Championships in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldbridge.org/competitions/wbf-championships/world-bridge-teams-championships/the-bermuda-bowl/|title=The Bermuda Bowl {{!}} World Bridge Federation|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref>
==Career== Fireman began his career at age 18 working in the family business, Boston Camping, selling outdoor sporting goods and fishing tackle for 15 years.<ref name="lat" />
While attending a sporting goods show in Chicago in 1979 Fireman met Joe Foster, the owner of an English running shoe company founded in 1958 called Reebok.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/reebok-cofounder-shares-3-rules-for-startup-success-2017-4|title=Reebok co-founder shares 3 rules for startup success|last=Johnson|first=Kieron|website=Business Insider|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> Fireman acquired the North American sales rights to Reebok in 1979 and eventually bought the English-based parent company outright in 1984.<ref name="lat" /><ref name="healy" /> Reebok capitalized on the increasing popularity of aerobics in California and introduced the world's first aerobic shoe designed specifically for women in 1982 called Freestyle. Riding the success of the Freestyle shoe as the aerobics craze swept across America, Fireman grew the company and Reebok issued an IPO in 1985.<ref name="lat" /> In 1988, Fireman established the annual Reebok Human Rights Awards recognizing activists under the age of 30 who exposed and reduced human rights atrocities.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fireman|first=Paul|title=From the Pain Come the Dream: The Recipients of the Reebok Human Rights Award|publisher=Umbrage|year=2003|isbn=1-884167-35-7|location=New York|pages=}}</ref>
Fireman sold Reebok to Adidas in 2005 for $3.8 billion; Fireman himself made $800 million from the deal.<ref name="healy">{{cite news|last1=Healy|first1=Beth|title=Paul Fireman takes another shot|url=http://archive.boston.com/business/articles/2011/06/10/reebok_founder_fireman_returns_to_sneaker_business_with_20m_stake_in_colorado_firm/|access-date=18 October 2015|publisher=The Boston Globe|date=10 June 2011}}</ref> He is currently{{When|date=October 2022}} the Chairman of Fireman Capital Partners, a Boston-based, consumer-focused private equity firm founded in 2008 with his son Dan, the firm's Managing Partner.<ref name="healy" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firemancapital.com/team/dan-fireman/|title=Dan Fireman {{!}} Fireman Capital Partners {{!}} Boston Massachusetts|website=www.firemancapital.com|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref>
==Golf course development==
Fireman has been active in golf course development and in 1991 he purchased Willowbend Country Club (Mashpee, Massachusetts). The development of additional courses followed that included Rio Mar Resort and Country Club (Rio Grande, Puerto Rico), Costa Caribe Golf and Country Club (Ponce, Puerto Rico), Coco Beach Golf and Country Club (Rio Grande, Puerto Rico), The Ranch Golf Club (Southwick, Massachusetts), and Starr Pass Club (Tucson, Arizona).<ref name="rynecki" />
Fireman was one of the developers of Liberty National Golf Club (Jersey City, New Jersey), which is adjacent to Liberty State Park. The golf club is one of the most expensive ever built, costing a reported $250 million.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/26/sports/golf/pga-tour-and-liberty-national-golf-course-agree-to-25-year-deal.html | title=Jersey City Course is Picked to Host 2017 Presidents Cup | newspaper=The New York Times | date=26 August 2014 | last1=Schonbrun | first1=Zach }}</ref><ref name="forbes.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenbertoni/2011/06/10/paul-fireman-on-his-250-million-golf-course-liberty-national/?sh=6807e630ea94 | title=Paul Fireman on His $250 Million Golf Course Liberty National | website=Forbes }}</ref> It site had formerly housed an ammunition depot during World War I, a prisoner of war camp during World War II, and later an oil refinery and warehouse for industrial goods, having become a "a toxic moonscape of corroded oil tanks, contaminated soil, and rusting warehouses" by 1999 (Forbes).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/07/24/golf-barclays-pga-lifestyle-sports-golf-liberty-national.html|title=Inside A $250 Million Golf Course|last=Bertoni|first=Steven|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=2022-10-01}}</ref> Although Fireman has publicly taken credit for paying to redevelop the "former toxic Superfund site",<ref name="forbes.com"/> the cost of cleaning the land was at least in part paid with public funds.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-presidents-cup-on-the-hudson | title=The Presidents Cup on the Hudson }}</ref> It is one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world, with initial membership fees contemplated at $500,000 to $750,000 in 2004.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/cf-noaction/liberty032904.htm | title=WA Golf Company, L.L.C; Liberty National Golf Club: No Action, Interpretive and/Or Exemptive Letter of March 29, 2004, 2004 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/FunMoney/story?id=3275785&page=1 | title=For $450,000, Golf Bliss and CEO Buddies | website=ABC News }}</ref>
In 2017 Fireman spearheaded a push to expand the golf club by 3 holes by acquiring the Caven Point section of Liberty State Park, which is a migratory bird habitat, sparking a controversy amongst Jersey City community members and environmental activists.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/09/nyregion/liberty-state-park-golf-course.html | title=Golf Club for the 1 Percent Wants to Seize a Migratory Bird Habitat | newspaper=The New York Times | date=9 January 2020 | last1=Tully | first1=Tracey }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/09/nyregion/liberty-state-park-golf-course.html|title=Golf Club for the 1 Percent Wants to Seize a Migratory Bird Habitat|date=January 9, 2020|work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/environment/2020/01/11/liberty-state-park-nj-protesters-rally-against-golf-course-expansion/4432620002/ | title=Protesters rally at Liberty State Park to ward off billionaire's golf course expansion }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://jcitytimes.com/protesters-confront-liberty-national-golf-clubs-fireman/ | title=Protesters Confront Liberty National Golf Club's Fireman | date=21 August 2021 }}</ref> The attempted acquisition of Caven Point by private developers also inspired proposed legislation entitled The "Liberty State Park Protection Act", which would permanently protect much of the park from privatization.<ref>[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/S1500/1449_I1.PDF Bills] njleg.state.nj.us</ref>
Fireman responded to criticism of the proposed Liberty State Park redevelopment by supporting a communications campaign that characterized the project as a matter of social equity. A social media initiative funded by Fireman opposed the public redevelopment plan, arguing that it limited participation from communities of color and raising questions about representation in the park's decision-making process.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/26/nyregion/liberty-state-park-development.html|title=He's Still Fighting Developers for the Park His Father Founded|date=August 26, 2021|work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2020/09/billionaire-funded-group-says-states-plan-to-clean-up-liberty-state-park-is-not-enough.html | title=Billionaire-funded group says state's plan to clean up Liberty State Park is not enough | date=24 September 2020 }}</ref>
The golf club also received $751,452 through the federal Paycheck Protection Program, (PPP), a COVID-19 relief initiative intended to assist businesses affected by pandemic-related shutdowns.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2020/07/ultra-exclusive-liberty-national-golf-club-received-up-to-1-million-ppp-loan.html|title=Ultra-exclusive Liberty National Golf Club received up to $1 million PPP loan|date=July 12, 2020|publisher=MJ.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.federalpay.org/paycheck-protection-program/wa-golf-company-llc-jersey-city-nj | title=WA Golf Company LLC in Jersey City, NJ - SBA PPP Loan Data (Paycheck Protection Program) }}</ref>
Since its opening in 2006, Liberty National has hosted three FedEx Cup playoff tournaments (The Barclays in 2009, 2013 and The Northern Trust in 2019, 2021) and the Presidents Cup in 2017. Liberty National also hosts junior golf tournaments (AJGA Polo Junior Classic 2019, 2021) and the First Tee of New Jersey.
==Other activities== In 2010, Fireman placed his Winecup-Gamble Ranch up for sale for $50 million.<ref name=jackson>{{cite news|last1=Jackson|first1=Candace|title=Paul Fireman's Nevada Ranch Lists for $50 Million|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703632304575451902506417376|access-date=18 October 2015|publisher=Wall Street Journal|date=3 September 2010}}</ref>
In 2014, Fireman proposed a $4.6 billion project on New Jersey's Gold Coast, which would include a 95-story tower with a casino and 100,000-seat motor sport stadium.<ref name=bagli>{{cite news|last1=Bagli|first1=Charles|title=Reebok Founder Proposes 95-Story Tower With Casino for Jersey City|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/10/nyregion/reebok-founder-proposes-95-story-tower-with-casino-for-jersey-city.html|access-date=18 October 2015|work=New York Times|date=9 July 2014}}</ref><ref>Bagli, Charles V. [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/10/nyregion/reebok-founder-proposes-95-story-tower-with-casino-for-jersey-city.html "Reebok Founder Proposes 95-Story Tower With Casino for Jersey City"], ''The New York Times'', July 10, 2014. Accessed June 1, 2015. "Mr. Fireman, the founder and former chairman of Reebok International, is proposing a $4.6 billion project, including a 95-story skyscraper, adjoining his 160-acre golf course on the Hudson River, at the south end of Jersey City."</ref> The New Jersey Constitution does not allow casinos outside of Atlantic City.<ref name=bagli/> In 2016, Fireman was an important backer of Public Question 1, a ballot measure that would amend the constitution to allow casino gambling in North Jersey.<ref name="Fire">[http://blogs.northjersey.com/meadowlands-matters/backers-of-meadowlands-jersey-city-casinos-suspend-campaign-1.1665185?platform=hootsuite Backers of Leadowlands Jersey City casinos suspend campaign] northjersey.com</ref> After numerous polls showed that Question 1 had no chance to pass, Fireman, along with Jeff Gural, pulled their financial support for the measure. Bill Cortese, the leader of Trenton's Bad Bet, a group opposed to the question, said, "Trenton's Bad Bet will not be distracted by billionaire developers throwing temper tantrums because they don't get what they want."<ref name="Bad">[http://bigstory.ap.org/article/23514f35c8f642e8b87a38e4c909020b/campaign-pushing-expand-gambling-new-jersey-suspended Campaign pushing expand gambling New Jersey suspended] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924165436/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/23514f35c8f642e8b87a38e4c909020b/campaign-pushing-expand-gambling-new-jersey-suspended |date=September 24, 2016 }} ap.org</ref> In 2016, the New Jersey Casino Expansion Amendment (2016) ballot question was put before New Jersey voters asking them if they would allow the expansion of casino gambling outside Atlantic City via a constitutional amendment. Voters rejected the ballot question by a margin of 77% to 23% effectively ending the casino proposal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2016/11/after-record-ad-spending-new-jersey-voters-reject-casino-expansion-107188|title=After record ad spending, New Jersey voters reject casino expansion|work=Politico|date=November 8, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2025}}</ref>
==Philanthropy and political contributions==
The Paul and Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation was established in 1985.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ppffound.org/about/|title=The Paul and Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation|last=|first=|date=|website=}}</ref>
Fireman is a supporter of The First Tee whose mission is to "impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy habits through the game of golf."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/paul_and_dan_fireman_show_support_for_the_first_tee_chapters_of_new_jersey_with_a_unique_donation/prweb12989117.htm|title=Paul and Dan Fireman Show Support For The First Tee Chapters of New Jersey With a Unique Donation|website=PRWeb|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|url=http://www.hunter-pr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/TFT-NJ-Mentees.pdf|title=Paul Fireman Meets Mentees from New Jersey First Tee Chapters|date=May 12, 2016|work=Hunter Public Relations}}</ref>
In September 2024, Fireman and his son Dan established the Liberty National Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports youth, veterans, and first responders through golf-related and other charitable programs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milko |first=Jack |date=2024-09-24 |title=Liberty National launches foundation; set to provide numerous charities with $100 million |url=https://www.sbnation.com/golf/2024/9/24/24252133/liberty-national-foundation-100-million-charity |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=SB Nation |language=en-US}}</ref> The foundation announced a pledge of $100 million in donations over the next decade and has partnered with TGR foundation to launch a fully funded scholarship. In October, 2025 the foundation announced their Liberty National ACE Grant program had reached over $9 million in reimbursements.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hanslik |first=Hayden |date=2025-10-03 |title=The Liberty National ACE Grant surpasses $9 million in reimbursements |url=https://www.ajga.org/liberty-national-ace-grant/the-liberty-national-ace-grant-surpasses-9-million-in-reimbursements |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=AJGA |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ochoa |first=R. J. |date=2025-09-16 |title=Liberty National Foundation announces fully-funded scholarship in partnership with TGR Foundation |url=https://www.sbnation.com/golf/1079281/liberty-national-tgr-foundation-earl-woods-tiger-woods |access-date=2026-01-21 |website=SB Nation |language=en-US}}</ref> thumb|Paul and Phyllis Fireman after donating Bullard Thermal Imaging Cameras to the Brockton City Fire Department in 2000. |alt=
===Campaign contributions=== Fireman donated $250,000 to Republican Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, but he has also donated to Democratic Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker and several other candidate and committees of both parties.<ref name=auditor>{{cite news|title=Man who wants to build Jersey City casino is a big political donor: The Auditor|url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/07/man_who_wants_to_build_jersey_city_casino_is_a_big_political_donor_the_auditor.html|access-date=18 October 2015|publisher=NJ.com|date=14 July 2014}}</ref> Fireman donated $1 million to the 2016 presidential campaign of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.<ref name=friedman>{{cite news|last1=Friedman|first1=Matt|title=Billionaires, casino interests give to Christie super PAC|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/chris-christie-super-pac-donors-120864|access-date=18 October 2015|publisher=Politico|date=31 July 2015}}</ref>
==Awards==
*The Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award, 1987 *Thurgood Marshall Corporate Leadership Award *Northeastern University Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humanities, 1990<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://library.northeastern.edu/services/archives-special-collections/northeastern-history/commencement-speakers-honorary-degrees|title=Commencement Speakers & Honorary Degrees {{!}} Northeastern University Library|website=library.northeastern.edu|access-date=2020-04-22|archive-date=December 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226144857/https://library.northeastern.edu/services/archives-special-collections/northeastern-history/commencement-speakers-honorary-degrees}}</ref> *Babson College, Honorary Degree, LL.D. Doctor of Laws, 1994<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.babson.edu/academics/centers-and-institutes/the-arthur-m-blank-center-for-entrepreneurship/awards/academy-of-distinguished-entrepreneurs/inductees/fireman-paul/#|title=fireman-paul|last=College|first=Babson|website=www.babson.edu|language=en|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> *Tabor Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, 2007<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.taboracademy.org/alumni/alumni-recognition|title=Alumni Recognition {{!}} Tabor Academy|website=www.taboracademy.org|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> *Suffolk University Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree, Doctor of Commerce, 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTw0GX4nVXs&feature=emb_logo|title=Paul Fireman Suffolk University Commencement Speech|last=|first=|date=|website=YouTube}}</ref> *Mannie Jackson Award, 2015<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hoophall.com/news/paul-fireman-bill-self-and-steve-smith-named-winners-2015-mannie-jackson-basketballs-human-spirit-award/|title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Paul Fireman, Bill Self and Steve Smith Named Winners of 2015 Mannie Jackson - Basketball's Human Spirit Award|website=www.hoophall.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> *Sports Business Journal Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2021/06/16/People-and-Pop-Culture/Fireman.aspx | title=SBJ honors former Reebok CEO Paul Fireman with Lifetime Achievement Award | date=16 June 2021 }}</ref>
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==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fireman, Paul}} Category:Businesspeople from Massachusetts Category:Living people Category:21st-century American Jews Category:American billionaires Category:1944 births