MEET THE MAN DRIVEN BY THREE OF LIFE’S BIGGEST PASSIONS
William P. Foley II is a businessman and philanthropist responsible for founding, growing, and operating wineries, sports teams, hospitality venues, public and private companies, and charitable foundations.
A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in Engineering, Mr. Foley served in the U.S. Air Force, where he attained the rank of captain. He earned his MBA from Seattle University and his JD from the University of Washington School of Law. Mr. Foley is a recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award from the United States Military Academy at West Point based on his character, distinguished service, and stature, drawing wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives, in keeping with its motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.”
Foley started a career as a lawyer before purchasing Fidelity National Financial in 1984 and building it into the nation’s largest title insurance company. In 1996, Foley moved his family to Santa Barbara and acquired his first winery. Foley Family Wines & Spirits has grown into a portfolio of some of the world’s best vineyards and wineries including Chalk Hill Estate Winery, Sebastiani, Roth, Banshee, Ferrari-Carano, Chateau St. Jean, Lancaster, and Sonoma Coast Vineyards in Sonoma; Merus, Silverado, Foley Johnson and Swanson in Napa Valley; Lincourt, Firestone, and Foley Estates in Southern California; Chalone Vineyard and Cosentino in central California; and Four Graces and Acrobat in Oregon. Imported wines include Lucien Albrecht and Champagne PIAFF in France, Nieto Senetiner in Argentina, and 14 wine brands spanning three of New Zealand’s most acclaimed winegrowing regions: Marlborough, Central Otago, and Martinborough.
Foley’s global spirits portfolio started in 2023 and now includes domestic brands Minden Mill Whiskeys, High Ground Estate Vodka, Charles Goodnight Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Evil Bean Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, Ampersand, and SABÉ canned cocktails. International spirits include New Zealand’s Lighthouse Gin, El Mexicano Tequila, the Loch Lomond Group portfolio of Scotch and spirits, Two Stacks Irish Whiskey, and Killowen Distillery.
In addition to his wineries, Foley’s collection of world-class hospitality properties includes luxury hotels such as California’s Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara, XXVII North in Healdsburg, MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa in Sonoma, and Farmhouse Inn in Forestville.
Other world-class destinations include The Black Walnut Inn & Vineyard and The Grange Estate in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Rock Creek Cattle Company – a 30,000-acre working cattle ranch and 18-hole course in Deer Lodge, Montana, Whitefish Mountain Resort in Whitefish, Montana, and Wharekauhau Country Estate in Palliser Bay, New Zealand. Foley’s Glacier Restaurant Group is the largest restaurant business based in the State of Montana.
Mr. Foley’s sports ventures began when he founded the first major league professional sports team in Las Vegas’ history – the Vegas Golden Knights (VGK) of the National Hockey League. Under Foley’s stewardship, the Vegas Golden Knights’ inaugural season in 2017 is considered the most successful first year in the history of any professional sport, and 2023, the franchise’s sixth season culminated with a decisive 9-3 win in game five to win the Stanley Cup on home ice. Foley’s hockey success led to the acquisition of additional Nevada sports properties – the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League and the Vegas Knight Hawks of the Indoor Football League.
Expanding his sports passion globally, Foley founded the Black Knight Football Club, a global multi-club operator of football clubs. As General Partner of BKFC, Foley began building a global network of world-class football clubs, players, and real estate assets. In December 2022, Foley led BKFC’s acquisition of 100% of AFC Bournemouth of the English Premier League. Under Foley’s leadership, Bournemouth experienced its best Premier League season in its 124-year history during the 2023-24 campaign and finished in 12 th place in the table.
In January 2023, Foley led BKFC’s acquisition of a 33.3% ownership interest in FC Lorient of the French Ligue 1, representing the second investment in connection with BKFC’s broader multi-club strategy. BKFC was awarded an expansion franchise in the Australian A-Leagues, subsequently named Auckland FC (New Zealand). Auckland FC achieved early success by claiming the Premiership in the 2024–25 regular season, becoming only the second expansion side to win that title in their debut season.
In January 2024, BKFC agreed in principle to a strategic partnership and to acquire a minority ownership interest in The Hibernian Football Club, a Scottish Premiership football club, founded in 1875 and based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Scottish Football Association approved the investment as the first multi-club investment in Scotland.
Foley’s charitable foundations include the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, the Folded Flag Foundation to assist military families who lost a family member in the line of duty, and the Foley Family Charitable Foundation.
Currently, Mr. Foley serves as Chairman of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FNF) and Executive Chairman of Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DNB).