The Philadelphia Eagles’ billionaire owner invested $185 million 30 years ago. Now the team is worth 35 times what he paid for it.

Prior to this recent success, the seed was planted in 1994, when Lurie took control of the team. But before his days at the helm of the Eagles, Lurie was an adjunct assistant professor of social policy at Boston University.

After his stint in academia, Lurie joined his grandfather’s business, movie theater chain General Cinema Corporation, in 1983. In 1985, Lurie started his own TV and film company, Chestnut Hill Productions. While the company won three Academy Award-winning documentaries, Lurie aspired to own an NFL franchise.

The Boston-native threw his hat in the ring in 1993 to purchase the New England Patriots. Ultimately, Lurie was outbid by Patriots current owner Robert Kraft after he paid $172 million for the struggling franchise.

In 1994, the Philadelphia Eagles were coming off a .500 season, finishing 8-8, and missing out on the playoffs. The team had a merry-go-round of quarterbacks that year with Bubby Brister, Randall Cunningham, and Ken O’Brien each starting more than four games for the club.

Source: FORTUNE