Honestly, if you ask a casual fan at a tailgate outside NRG Stadium who owns the Houston Texans, they’ll probably just point toward the luxury suites and say "the McNairs." And they aren't wrong. But the answer has become a lot more layered lately. For years, the face of the franchise was Bob McNair, the billionaire who basically willed NFL football back into Houston after the Oilers packed up for Tennessee.
When Bob passed away in 2018, things shifted. His wife, Janice McNair, took the reins as the principal owner. But as of 2026, the person actually calling the shots—and the person who now officially holds the title of principal owner—is their son, Cal McNair.
The Cal McNair Era: It’s Official Now
For a long time, Cal was sort of the "owner-in-waiting." He was the Chairman and CEO, sure, but his mom was still technically the boss on paper. That changed in early 2024 when the NFL owners met in Orlando and officially voted to make Cal the principal owner.
It wasn't just a vanity title change. It was a move for stability. You’ve probably heard some of the noise about the family legal drama—Cal’s brother, Cary McNair, actually filed a lawsuit a couple of years back trying to have Janice declared incapacitated. It was a mess. Cary wanted a guardianship over her affairs, which the rest of the family fought tooth and nail.
Eventually, Cary dropped the suit. Not long after that, the family moved to solidify Cal’s spot at the top. It basically told the league and the fans: "We aren't selling. We’re keeping this in the family, and Cal is the guy."
Who is Cal McNair, Anyway?
Cal isn't some outsider who just showed up to collect a paycheck. He’s been around since the very beginning. He was one of the first employees at his dad’s old company, Cogen Technologies, back in the 80s. He’s a Houston guy through and through—went to Cy-Fair High School and even walked on to the football team at UT Austin before getting his MBA at Rice.
He’s had a hand in every major decision since Bob died, for better or worse. We all remember the "Jack Easterby era" and the lean years where the Texans were the league's favorite punchline. People were calling for Cal to sell the team. The "China virus" comment he made at a golf tournament didn't help his reputation much, either.
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But give the guy credit: he pivoted. He hired Nick Caserio. He brought back DeMeco Ryans. He watched C.J. Stroud turn the franchise into a contender overnight. By early 2026, the vibe around Cal has shifted from "the guy who’s ruining the team" to "the guy who finally got out of his own way."
The Current C-Suite Shakeup
Even though Cal owns the team, he’s been restructuring how the business side works. Just this January, Texans President Mike Tomon completely overhauled the C-suite. They’re looking at massive renovations for NRG Stadium or maybe even a brand-new practice facility.
The team is currently worth about $6.2 billion. That’s a staggering jump from the $700 million Bob McNair paid for the expansion rights back in 1999.
Is Janice McNair Still Involved?
Sorta. Janice is now roughly 89 years old. While she isn't the "principal owner" anymore, she still holds the title of Co-Founder and Senior Chair. To the players and the old-school Houston fans, she’s still the "heartbeat" of the team. She was actually inducted into the Texans’ Ring of Honor recently, which was a pretty emotional moment for the organization.
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The ownership is technically held through a family trust. This is a common move for NFL teams to avoid massive estate taxes and keep the team from being sold off piece-by-piece when a patriarch or matriarch passes.
- Principal Owner: Cal McNair
- Co-Founder: Janice McNair
- Key Advisor: Hannah McNair (Cal’s wife, who has become very influential in team culture)
- Trust Structure: Includes Janice’s children (Cal, Cary, and sisters)
Why Most People Get the "Ownership" Part Wrong
Most people think an NFL owner is like a CEO of a normal company. It’s not. In the NFL, you are basically a member of a 32-person cartel. You need your peers' permission to do almost anything major—like moving the team or officially changing who has the "voting power."
The misconception is that Janice "sold" the team to Cal. She didn't. It was a transfer of authority within the trust. This keeps the money in the family while giving the NFL one clear person to hold accountable during league meetings. Cal is that person.
What’s Next for the McNairs?
The big thing to watch right now isn't the roster—it’s the real estate. The Texans’ lease at NRG is a looming question mark. Because the stadium is owned by Harris County, the McNairs have to play nice with local government.
Cal has been vocal about wanting a "world-class" training facility that’s separate from the stadium. Whether they stay at NRG or push for a new stadium elsewhere in the Houston area will be the biggest test of Cal’s ownership in the next five years.
If you’re a fan, the most important takeaway is this: the ownership is stable. The lawsuits are over. The power transition is finished. For the first time in a decade, the Texans aren't a "family business in turmoil." They’re just a football team again.
Next Steps for Fans and Investors:
Keep an eye on the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation meetings throughout 2026. The negotiations between Cal McNair and the county regarding NRG Stadium renovations will tell you everything you need to know about how long the family intends to stay in their current home. You should also monitor the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation’s philanthropic reports, as their community spending often mirrors the team's local political leverage.