Early Life
William Patrick Foley II was born on December 29, 1944, in Austin, Texas, to a family of ranchers. He spent his childhood in Texas and, for a time, in Ottawa, Canada, where his father served in the U.S. Air Force. From a young age, Foley showed an aptitude for business and investing, purchasing his first stock at 16 and making $40,000 in the stock market as a cadet at West Point. He developed a lifelong passion for ice hockey during his time in Canada, playing shinny.
Rise to Success
Foley graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in engineering in 1967. He served in the U.S. Air Force, where he attained the rank of captain and negotiated million-dollar defense contracts with Boeing. After his military service, he earned an MBA from Seattle University and a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 1974. Foley began his career in corporate law before entering the financial services industry. In 1984, he purchased and transformed Fidelity National Financial (FNF) into the largest title insurance company in the United States.
Key Business Strategies
Foley's business acumen is characterized by strategic acquisitions and operational expansion. He has held leadership positions at companies like Cannae Holdings and Black Knight Financial Services. A serial dealmaker, he has sponsored several blank-check companies. Foley has also made significant investments in diverse industries, including wineries (Foley Family Wines), golf courses, hotels, ski resorts, and restaurants. In 2016, he acquired the Vegas Golden Knights NHL franchise, a move that brought professional sports to Las Vegas and led to a Stanley Cup victory in 2023. Furthermore, Foley is involved in soccer, owning AFC Bournemouth, Auckland FC, and part of FC Lorient.
Philanthropy
Foley and his wife, Carol, are actively involved in philanthropy, supporting numerous causes. They established the Foley Family Charitable Foundation to support the communities in which they work and live. The foundation supports various educational and community organizations.