Jeremy Jacobs handed over his role as governor of the Boston Bruins to his son, CEO Charlie Jacobs, concluding a 51-year tenure steering the franchise, the Boston Herald reported Wednesday.
A Half-Century Transition at the Top of the Bruins Masthead
The elder Jacobs bought the team 51 years ago and spent decades representing the club on league matters. Under the new succession plan announced in a team release, Charlie Jacobs assumes the governorship after serving as the team’s alternate governor for the past 26 years.
“I’m incredibly proud to celebrate the transition of governorship to my son, Charlie,” Jeremy Jacobs said in a statement. “He’s the day-to-day leader of the club, the public face of ownership and an active participant on the Board of Governors as an alternate governor, so this is a natural next step in our succession plan.”
The 86-year-old Jeremy Jacobs previously relinquished his role as chairman of the Board of the NHL governors in September, handing that leadership position to Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis. While Jeremy Jacobs was once a regular presence at semi-annual press conferences for the organization, he had not attended them for several years.
During his decades of oversight, the senior Jacobs worked closely with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Their partnership included pushing for the salary cap system that triggered the lockout and lost season of 2004-05, fundamentally reshaping the league's economics.
“Jeremy Jacobs’ dedication to the Bruins, the league, and the Boston community has been remarkable, and his leadership has left a lasting mark on our sport,” Bettman said in the team release. “After more than two decades as an alternate governor, Charlie is superbly prepared for this moment, and fans can be confident about the Bruins prospects under his leadership.”
The Next Era Under Charlie Jacobs
Charlie Jacobs has managed day-to-day operations and overseen numerous investments in TD Garden to maintain the 31-year-old facility. As governor, he takes official charge of league-level representation while maintaining his position as CEO of the Bruins. He shares that leadership role with Delaware North alongside his brothers, Jerry Jacobs, Jr. and Lou Jacobs.
Jeremy M. Jacobs, the long-tenured governor of the Boston Bruins for 51 years, announced today that his son, Boston Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs, will succeed him as the team’s governor and will represent the club on the NHL’s Board of Governors. pic.twitter.com/lNGDDo07b8
“It is a tremendous honor to step into the role as governor of the Boston Bruins, representing the team that has been part of my family for the past 51 years,” Charlie Jacobs said.
He noted that his father will continue to serve as a mentor and sounding board. In his new capacity, Charlie Jacobs will partner with NHL Board of Governors chairman Ted Leonsis, vice chair Murray Edwards, league peers, and Commissioner Bettman.
