Cal & Hannah McNair: Owner of The Houston Texans, Turning the Franchise Around, Memorable Stories

Leading the Houston Texans: A Conversation with Cal and Hannah McNair
In this week’s Team Never Quit episode, Marcus and Melanie sit down with Cal and Hannah McNair, the dynamic duo behind the Houston Texans. Cal McNair, the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Houston Texans, has been at the helm of the team since 2018, guiding them through remarkable achievements, including a 10-7 record in the 2023 season under a rookie head coach and quarterback. Under his leadership, the Texans secured their seventh division title and unveiled new fan-inspired uniforms in 2024.
McNair attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he was a four-year member of the Longhorns' football team. He earned a master's degree in business administration from the Rice University Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management.
Cal shares his journey from his early career at Cogen Technologies to becoming the principal owner of the Texans in 2024. He discusses his vision for the team, the importance of community involvement, and the Texans Foundation's impact on Houston, which has raised over $48 million since its inception.
Hannah McNair, a proud native Houstonian and University of Houston alum, joins the conversation to talk about their shared passion for philanthropy and, of course, the Houston Texans. With a background in business from the University of Houston and Rice University, Hannah has been deeply involved in numerous charities across the city, from the YMCA to the Houston Food Bank. She reflects on the couple’s commitment to giving back, balancing life as parents of seven, and supporting the community that has given them so much.

In This Episode You Will Hear:
• [Cal] What I really enjoy is going into someone else’s house, and beating them, and then seeing our fans, surrounded by the other team’s colors, and they’re wearing our colors in the stands , and when we win those games is my favorite [moment]. (2:45)
• [Cal] We have fans that have had seats next to each other that didn’t know each other, but because they came to the game and sat next to each other, they became friends. (3:47)
• [Cal played football at] The University of Texas. (7:27)
• [Cal] The team was [originally] awarded to Los Angeles, but it had a deadline and they didn’t meet it. (8:22)
• [Hannah] The interesting thing about twins is that you have had somebody who’s had your back your entire life. (29:24)
• [Hannah] I think team sports is one of the most important educational things you can teach kids. (37:35)
• [Hannah] [In baseball] You fail most of the time. If you have an error, are you gonna just stop the game? Are you gonna run to your parents? Or are you gonna learn from it, and go to the next play. You can’t just quick. (37:46)
• [Hannah] If you can learn how to be part of a team and put your personal feelings aside for the greater good of the team, I think that’s a valuable lesson, especially with youth today. (38:28)
• [Hannah] With anything in the public eye, you try to use those [harassments in the stands] to create a better person in them, so that they’re ready for whatever comes their way, (42:56)
• [Hannah] You have to have God as your foundation. If you don’t have that to turn to, you’re lost already. (43:21)
• [Hannah] You cannot go wrong by doing what’s right. (50:11)
• [Marcus] Q: What’s the best piece of advice or wisdom you’ve got from somebody?
[Cal] A: Never Quit. (52:16)
• [Hannah] [CJ Stroud] is the CEO on the field. (52:56)

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