Norman Braman, a former Philadelphia Eagles waterboy who later bought the team, built Braman Motorcars into one of Florida's largest luxury car dealership networks, worth roughly 4 billion dollars.
Norman Braman, born in Philadelphia on August 23, 1932, worked as a waterboy for the Philadelphia Eagles as a teenager. He later purchased the team in 1985 and sold it in 1994, making a 120 million dollar profit. Braman's primary fortune stems from Braman Motorcars, a network of luxury dealerships in Florida and Colorado that generates over 2 billion dollars in annual revenue, contributing to his estimated net worth of nearly 4 billion dollars. Braman, the son of Holocaust survivors, has directed a significant share of that fortune toward Holocaust remembrance, Jewish education, and Israel-linked institutions.
Who is Norman Braman?
Norman Braman is an American businessman and art collector known for building Braman Motorcars into one of Florida's largest luxury automobile dealership networks. He also previously owned the Philadelphia Eagles NFL franchise from 1985 to 1994.
Norman Braman at a Glance
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Born | August 23, 1932, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to Jewish immigrant parents from Europe who survived the Holocaust |
| Early Career | Waterboy for the Philadelphia Eagles as a teenager; worked at Seagram's Distributors; founded Keystone Stores, a self-service grocery chain |
| Philadelphia Eagles Ownership | Bought the team in 1985 with brother-in-law Ed Leibowitz; sold in 1994 for a reported 185 million dollars, a 120 million dollar profit |
| Braman Motorcars | Founded in 1972; operates more than 20 dealerships across Florida and Colorado, selling brands like Acura, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Porsche, and Rolls-Royce; generates over 2 billion dollars in annual revenue |
| Net Worth | Approximately 4 billion dollars according to recent rankings |
| Philanthropy | Founding Chairman of Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach; longtime supporter of Yad Vashem and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; $10 million gift endowed Georgetown's Center for Jewish Civilization (2016); $5 million gift created the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at University of Miami/Sylvester (2002); endowed a Holocaust Studies chair at the University of Florida (2008) |
| Art and Civic Work | Helped bring Art Basel to Miami in 2002; funded Miami's Institute for Contemporary Art, a free museum opened in 2017 |
How did Norman Braman build Braman Motorcars?
Norman Braman grew up in Philadelphia's Cobbs Creek neighborhood as the son of a barber. As a teenager, he worked for eight years as a waterboy for the Philadelphia Eagles.
After college, Braman worked in various departments at Seagram's Distributors. Just two years after graduating, he founded Keystone Stores, a self-service grocery chain.
In the 1970s, Braman entered the automobile business, mentored by fellow Philadelphia car dealer Victor Potamkin. He acquired a former Cadillac dealership in Miami in 1975, adding BMW and Rolls-Royce franchises the following year.
Braman Motorcars expanded into a network specializing in luxury brands across Florida and Colorado. The company now generates more than 2 billion dollars in annual revenue, making it one of the largest dealership groups in the state.
How did Norman Braman come to own the Philadelphia Eagles?
In 1985, decades after his time as the team's waterboy, Norman Braman purchased the Philadelphia Eagles with his brother-in-law, Ed Leibowitz. His nine years of ownership, from 1985 to 1994, faced criticism from fans for cost-conscious management.
Despite criticism, the team made several playoff appearances during Braman's ownership and won the NFC East title in 1988. Braman sold the franchise in 1994 to a group led by Jeffrey Lurie for a reported 185 million dollars, securing a 120 million dollar profit on his original purchase.
What does Norman Braman give to, and why?
Braman is the son of Holocaust survivors, and Holocaust remembrance is the throughline of his giving. He is founding chairman of the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach and, along with his wife Irma, has been a longtime supporter of Yad Vashem in Israel and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington.
In 2016, the Bramans gave 10 million dollars to Georgetown University to permanently endow its Center for Jewish Civilization, a Walsh School of Foreign Service unit focused on American-Middle East policy toward Israel, the Holocaust, and Jewish literature. The gift built on the couple's earlier funding of Father Patrick Desbois's Holocaust forensic research through Yahad-In Unum. In 2008, they endowed a Holocaust Studies chair at the University of Florida.
Outside Holocaust-focused giving, the Bramans have directed millions to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and to the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind, and Norman Braman ranked among the largest Jewish donors nationally in tallies like the Chronicle of Philanthropy's annual list. Their giving also extends to healthcare and the arts: a 5 million dollar gift in 2002 created the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at University of Miami/Sylvester, and separately Braman helped bring Art Basel to Miami and funded the city's Institute of Contemporary Art, a free museum that opened in 2017. Philanthropy runs through the Braman Family Charitable Foundation and the Irma and Norman Braman Art Foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Norman Braman
Who is Norman Braman?
Norman Braman is an American billionaire businessman who built Braman Motorcars, a network of luxury car dealerships in Florida and Colorado. He also formerly owned the Philadelphia Eagles NFL team from 1985 to 1994.
How did Norman Braman make his fortune?
Norman Braman's fortune primarily comes from Braman Motorcars, his network of luxury automobile dealerships. These dealerships sell brands including Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Porsche, and Rolls-Royce across Florida and Colorado.
Did Norman Braman own the Philadelphia Eagles?
Yes, Norman Braman purchased the Philadelphia Eagles in 1985. He sold the team in 1994 to a group led by Jeffrey Lurie for a reported 185 million dollars.
What is Norman Braman's net worth?
Norman Braman's net worth is approximately 4 billion dollars, according to recent rankings. This wealth was built mainly through his automobile dealership network.
What causes does Norman Braman support?
Braman's philanthropy centers on Holocaust remembrance and Jewish institutional life — Yad Vashem, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Georgetown's Center for Jewish Civilization, and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation — alongside healthcare and the arts in Miami.
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מי הוא נורמן ברימן?
נורמן ברימן, יליד 1932 בפילדלפיה, עבד כנער כמביא מים של קבוצת הפוטבול האמריקאי פילדלפיה איגליס, וב-1985 רכש אותה. מרבית הונו מגיעה מרשת Braman Motorcars, רשת מערכות מכוניות יוקרה בפלורידה וקולורדו. הונו מוערך בכ-4 מיליארד דולר. ברימן, בנם של ניצולי שואה, תרם רבות לזכר השואה ולמוסדות יהודיים, כולל יד ושם.
The Olam Editorial Team | The Builders / הבונים
