Irwin Jacob (on the left) was inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2010.
Authorities reported that Fishing League Worldwide Chairman and CEO Irwin Jacobs and his wife were found deceased on Wednesday at their home in Minnesota.
According to Orono Police Chief Correy Farniok, Irwin and Alexandra Jacobs were found in a bed alongside a firearm. While Farniok did not confirm any details regarding a murder-suicide, he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that investigators were not searching for suspects. Both Irwin and Alexandra were 77 years old.
Irwin Jacobs was a prominent figure in the marine sector, known through the FLW Tour and the now-defunct Genmar Holdings, which was once considered the world’s largest boat manufacturer.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and we request that our family’s privacy be honored as we mourn during this incredibly challenging time,” the Jacobs’ children stated to the press.
In the 1970s, Jacobs gained notoriety as a corporate raider who acquired failing businesses to liquidate them. He was instrumental in launching the television shopping network Cable Value Network, which was later sold to QVC. Jacobs once held a minority interest in the Minnesota Vikings.
Living in the Minneapolis region, Jacobs acquired the bass tournament organization and rebranded it as the FLW Tour in honor of Ranger Boats’ founder, Forrest L. Wood. He secured Walmart as the main sponsor and engaged major consumer brands like General Motors and Procter & Gamble in the events.
In 2007, FLW Outdoors made history by awarding the first-ever $1 million prize to an angler who won the Forrest Wood Cup championship. Jacobs was inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2010.
When Jacobs owned Genmar Holdings, the company included renowned brands such as Scarab Boats, Wellcraft, and Hatteras Yachts. Genmar also manufactured Crestliner, Glastron, and Larson Boats among various other brands. After being hit hard by the recession, Genmar sought bankruptcy protection in 2009, and the company was eventually liquidated with its assets auctioned off.
The Jacobs couple was known for their philanthropy in Minneapolis, providing support for group homes for individuals with disabilities and contributing to the arts community.