# Paul Fireman > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Paul_Fireman > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Paul_Fireman.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Fireman > Source revision: 1356670938 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{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](/source/Cambridge%2C_Massachusetts), U.S. | alma_mater = | employer = Fireman Capital Partners | occupation = Businessman | spouse = Phyllis Brenner | children = }} '''Paul Fireman''' (born February 14, 1944) is an American businessman, who for 26 years led [Reebok International, Ltd](/source/Reebok). as chairman and CEO. Fireman sold [Reebok](/source/Reebok) to [Adidas](/source/Adidas) in 2005. ==Early life and education== Fireman was born February 14, 1944, in [Cambridge, Massachusetts](/source/Cambridge%2C_Massachusetts), to a [Jewish](/source/American_Jews) family{{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}} and raised in the working-class city of [Brockton, Massachusetts](/source/Brockton%2C_Massachusetts), also called 'Shoe City'. He attended high school at [Tabor Academy](/source/Tabor_Academy_(Massachusetts)), a private secondary school in Marion, MA and matriculated to [Boston University](/source/Boston_University), but did not graduate.{{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}} ==Personal life== Fireman and his wife Phyllis (née Brenner) grew up in [Brockton, Massachusetts](/source/Brockton%2C_Massachusetts) and met at age 12 at a [YMHA](/source/YMHA) mixer. Fireman and his wife, Phyllis, are competitive bridge players. In 2014, his team won the [Roth Open Swiss Teams](/source/Roth_Open_Swiss_Teams) at the Summer [North American Bridge Championship](/source/North_American_Bridge_Championships) (NABC) in Las Vegas{{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}} and subsequently captured the bronze medal representing the U.S. in [Chennai, India](/source/Chennai) at the [World Bridge Championships](/source/World_Bridge_Championships) in 2015.{{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}} ==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. While attending a sporting goods show in Chicago in 1979 Fireman met [Joe Foster](/source/Joseph_William_Foster), the owner of an English running shoe company founded in 1958 called Reebok.{{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}} Fireman acquired the North American sales rights to [Reebok](/source/Reebok) in 1979 and eventually bought the English-based parent company outright in 1984. 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](/source/Reebok_Freestyle). Riding the success of the Freestyle shoe as the [aerobics](/source/aerobics) craze swept across America, Fireman grew the company and Reebok issued an [IPO](/source/Initial_public_offering) in 1985. In 1988, Fireman established the annual [Reebok Human Rights Award](/source/Reebok_Human_Rights_Award)s recognizing activists under the age of 30 who exposed and reduced human rights atrocities.{{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=}} Fireman sold Reebok to [Adidas](/source/Adidas) in 2005 for $3.8 billion; Fireman himself made $800 million from the deal.{{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}} 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.{{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}} ==Golf course development== Fireman has been active in golf course development and in 1991 he purchased Willowbend Country Club ([Mashpee, Massachusetts](/source/Mashpee%2C_Massachusetts)). The development of additional courses followed that included Rio Mar Resort and Country Club ([Rio Grande, Puerto Rico](/source/Rio_Grande%2C_Puerto_Rico)), Costa Caribe Golf and Country Club ([Ponce, Puerto Rico](/source/Ponce%2C_Puerto_Rico)), Coco Beach Golf and Country Club ([Rio Grande, Puerto Rico](/source/Rio_Grande%2C_Puerto_Rico)), The Ranch Golf Club ([Southwick, Massachusetts](/source/Southwick%2C_Massachusetts)), and Starr Pass Club ([Tucson, Arizona](/source/Tucson%2C_Arizona)). Fireman was one of the developers of [Liberty National Golf Club](/source/Liberty_National_Golf_Club) ([Jersey City, New Jersey](/source/Jersey_City%2C_New_Jersey)), which is adjacent to [Liberty State Park](/source/Liberty_State_Park). The golf club is one of the most expensive ever built, costing a reported $250 million.{{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 }}{{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](/source/Forbes) }} 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).{{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}} Although Fireman has publicly taken credit for paying to redevelop the "former toxic Superfund site", the cost of cleaning the land was at least in part paid with public funds.{{cite web | url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-presidents-cup-on-the-hudson | title=The Presidents Cup on the Hudson }} 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.{{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 }}{{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](/source/ABC_News_(United_States)) }} 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.{{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 }}{{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}}{{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 }}{{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 }} 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.[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/S1500/1449_I1.PDF Bills] njleg.state.nj.us 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.{{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}}{{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 }} The golf club also received $751,452 through the federal [Paycheck Protection Program](/source/Paycheck_Protection_Program), (PPP), a COVID-19 relief initiative intended to assist businesses affected by pandemic-related shutdowns.{{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}}{{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) }} Since its opening in 2006, Liberty National has hosted three [FedEx Cup](/source/FedEx_Cup) playoff tournaments ([The Barclays](/source/The_Barclays) in 2009, 2013 and [The Northern Trust](/source/The_Northern_Trust) in 2019, 2021) and [the Presidents Cup](/source/Presidents_Cup) in 2017. Liberty National also hosts junior golf tournaments (AJGA Polo Junior Classic 2019, 2021) and [the First Tee of New Jersey](/source/The_First_Tee). ==Other activities== In 2010, Fireman placed his Winecup-Gamble Ranch up for sale for $50 million.{{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}} In 2014, Fireman proposed a $4.6 billion project on New Jersey's [Gold Coast](/source/Hudson_Waterfront), which would include a 95-story tower with a casino and 100,000-seat motor sport stadium.{{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}}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](/source/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." The [New Jersey Constitution](/source/New_Jersey_Constitution) does not allow casinos outside of [Atlantic City](/source/Atlantic_City%2C_New_Jersey). 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.[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 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."[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 In 2016, the [New Jersey Casino Expansion Amendment (2016)](/source/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.{{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}} ==Philanthropy and political contributions== The Paul and Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation was established in 1985.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ppffound.org/about/|title=The Paul and Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation|last=|first=|date=|website=}} Fireman is a supporter of [The First Tee](/source/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."{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}} 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](/source/Mitt_Romney)'s 2012 presidential campaign, but he has also donated to Democratic Senators [Bob Menendez](/source/Bob_Menendez) and [Cory Booker](/source/Cory_Booker) and several other candidate and committees of both parties.{{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}} Fireman donated $1 million to the 2016 presidential campaign of New Jersey Governor [Chris Christie](/source/Chris_Christie).{{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}} ==Awards== *The Academy of Achievement's [Golden Plate Award](/source/Academy_of_Achievement), 1987 *[Thurgood Marshall](/source/Thurgood_Marshall) Corporate Leadership Award *[Northeastern University](/source/Northeastern_University) Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humanities, 1990{{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}} *[Babson College](/source/Babson_College), Honorary Degree, LL.D. Doctor of Laws, 1994{{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}} *[Tabor Academy](/source/Tabor_Academy_(Massachusetts)) Lifetime Achievement Award, 2007{{Cite web|url=https://www.taboracademy.org/alumni/alumni-recognition|title=Alumni Recognition {{!}} Tabor Academy|website=www.taboracademy.org|access-date=2020-04-22}} *[Suffolk University](/source/Suffolk_University) Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree, Doctor of Commerce, 2013{{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](/source/YouTube)}} *Mannie Jackson Award, 2015{{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}} *Sports Business Journal Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015{{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 }} {{Portal|United States}} ==References== {{reflist}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Fireman, Paul}} Category:Businesspeople from Massachusetts Category:Living people Category:21st-century American Jews Category:American billionaires Category:1944 births --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Paul Fireman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Fireman) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Fireman?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.