Tom Dundon is an American billionaire businessman and sports team owner, best known as the principal owner and governor of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes since January 2018. Born on September 5, 1971, in New York City and raised in Texas, Dundon earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Southern Methodist University in 1993. He co-founded and led Santander Consumer USA, a major U.S. consumer finance company specializing in automobile financing, serving as chairman and CEO and overseeing $35 billion in acquisitions[2][4]. In 2015, Dundon founded Dundon Capital Partners, a Dallas-based private investment firm with interests across industries such as entertainment, healthcare, real estate, hospitality, technology, automotive, and financial services. He holds majority ownership in Employer Direct Healthcare and is a significant investor and director in companies like Topgolf and OTO Development. Dundon has also been involved in real estate, including the purchase of a 33-story office building in downtown Dallas[1][3][4]. Dundon's tenure as owner of the Carolina Hurricanes has been marked by notable success. When he acquired the team, it was struggling with poor attendance and playoff absences. Under his ownership, the Hurricanes have made the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons, won three division titles, and reached the Eastern Conference Finals three times. The franchise's attendance and revenue have significantly increased, with sellout streaks and substantial growth in ticket sales and corporate sponsorships[6]. In addition to hockey, Dundon has invested in emerging sports such as professional pickleball and was chairman and a major investor in the Alliance of American Football, though that league folded in 2019. In 2025, he agreed to purchase the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers for $4.2 billion, expanding his influence in professional sports[4][5]. He resides in Dallas, Texas, with his family and maintains a net worth estimated between $1.2 billion and $2.6 billion[4].