Former San Francisco Giants managing partner Bill Neukom has passed away at 83 on Thu Jul 17, 2025 (San Francisco Chronicle photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

Bill Neukom first purchased a stake in the Giants in 1995, and then took over as Managing Partner and CEO for Peter Magowan following the 2008 season. Neukom was at the helm of the Giants’ organization for just three seasons, but they were far from uneventful for such a short stint.

Neukom took over after the Giants had suffered through four-consecutive losing seasons, and made a point to invest in the players and the team on the field. In Newukom’s first season as CEO in 2009, the Giants contended and had their first winning season in five years going 88-74, and missing the playoffs by just four games.

Of course in 2010, the Giants won their first world championship since moving out west to San Francisco in 1958. It was the franchise’s first title since 1954, which ended what was the third-longest championship drought in baseball at the time.

Unfortunately, as glorious as the magic of 2010 was, 2011 was the exact opposite for Neukom. The Giants had their third straight winning season, as they went 86-76, but they were marred by injuries, which caused them to miss the playoffs.

Throughout the 2011 season, tensions arose between Neukom and other owners about how to spend the championship revenue money. Neukom wanted to invest it in technology for the players, while other owners wanted to put it towards a rainy day fund.

On Sept. 14, 2011, it was announced that Neukom would step down from the team following the end of the season with Larry Baer taking his place as CEO. The Giants would win two more titles in 2012 and 2014 under Baer’s watch, but Neukom certainly planted the seeds for the Giants’ success from their entire run from 2009 to 2016.

Prior to becoming CEO of the Giants, Neukom enjoyed a long run with Microsoft, eventually becoming their Executive Vice President. In fact, Neukom started with Microsoft at the very beginning when they had just 12 employees.

Neukom was also a lawyer, and was even the President of the American Bar Association from August 2007 to August 2008. He also co-founded the World Justice Project in 2006, which works to advance the rule of law throughout the world.