John K. Mara is in his 33rd season with the Giants. The franchise's President and Chief Executive Officer, he assumed the team presidency upon the passing of his father, Wellington Mara, in 2005. Mara joined the Giants in 1991 as General Counsel and later added the title of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
With team Chairman Steve Tisch, Mara was at the forefront of the planning and negotiations for MetLife Stadium, where the Giants have been playing their home games for 13 seasons after 34 years in Giants Stadium. In addition, Mara, Steve Tisch and Jonathan Tisch, as well as Jets owner Woody Johnson, headlined the bid committee that helped convince the NFL owners to award Super Bowl XLVIII to the new stadium. Seattle and Denver played in the game on Feb. 2, 2014. The first Super Bowl to be held in a cold-weather outdoor venue was an overwhelming success, both in the week prior to the game and on game day.
Mara, one of the NFL's most prominent and respected owners, is the chairman of the league's Management Council Executive Committee, and he played an important role in negotiating the 2011 and 2020 collective bargaining agreements with the NFLPA. He also serves on several other NFL committees, including for the last 22 years on the influential Competition Committee, which studies all aspects of the game and recommends rules and policy changes to NFL clubs. Mara also serves on the NFL's Health and Safety, Compensation, Workplace Diversity and Legalized Sports Betting committees.
Mara has been affiliated with the Giants his entire life. The franchise was founded in 1925 by his grandfather, Tim Mara. Wellington Mara was one of the most influential, respected and beloved executives in NFL history. Tim and Wellington Mara are both enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Since John Mara joined the organization in an official capacity, the Giants have participated in 11 playoffs, won five NFC East titles and played in three Super Bowls, winning two.
Born in New York City on Dec. 1, 1954, Mara grew up in Westchester County in White Plains and graduated from Iona Prep High School in New Rochelle. He attended Boston College where he received a B.S. degree in marketing, graduating with Cum Laude honors in 1976. Mara earned his law degree from Fordham University in 1979. He specialized in labor and employment law and litigation at two Manhattan firms prior to joining the Giants.
Mara serves on the Board of Directors of Saint Vincent's Hospital in Harrison, N.Y. and Boys Hope Girls Hope of New York.
John and his wife, the former Denise Walter, have five children and 14 grandchildren.
