David Tepper
David Tepper is a Wall Street legend known as one of the most successful investors of his generation. Tepper is the Founder and President of Appaloosa Management, a prominent hedge fund recognized for its command over distressed debt investment strategies. Under his leadership, Appaloosa has consistently outperformed industry peers and the broader global markets since its inception. Tepper became known during the financial crisis through investments in depressed bank securities. He launched his hedge fund after being passed up as a partner at Goldman Sachs. In 2018, Tepper bought NFL's Carolina Panthers professional football team in a $2.3 billion deal after partnering with the Pittsburgh Steelers ownership group for nine years.
David Tepper Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Founder and President
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Head Trader
Academic History
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Master of Business Administration (MBA)
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B.A., Economics, with Honors
APPALOOSA MANAGEMENT
Appaloosa Management has consistently outperformed industry peers and the broader global market since inception.
Under his leadership, the fund focuses on undiversified and concentrated positions, particularly on equities and debt of distressed companies, fixed-income instruments, and derivatives.
Recently, Tepper and his hedge fund bet big in tech and semiconductor sectors, boosting positions in Alibaba, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and more.
GOLDMAN SACHS
He was recruited as a Credit Analyst at Goldman Sachs, as the firm was putting together a high yield debt team in New York.
He became the Head Trader within six months and ended up staying with the firm for seven years.
He specialized in distressed debt—namely bankruptcies and special debt situations.
SPORTS MANAGEMENT
Tepper is an avid sports fan. In 2009, he purchased a minority 5% stake in the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 2018, he bought NFL's Carolina Panthers for $2.2 billion which was the highest in NFL history at the time.
He also bid for an expansion team within Major League Soccer. In 2019, the Carolina Panthers organization was awarded an expansion team in the MLS—Charlotte FC.
PHILANTHROPY
A major philanthropist, Tepper champions education and meeting people’s basic needs across the U.S. with a focus on communities in New Jersey, the Carolinas, Florida and the greater Pittsburgh area.
He is also a significant supporter of major charities worldwide, including Feeding America and UNICEF.
Additionally, he has played an integral role in providing natural disaster relief nationwide.
MEDIA & PUBLICATIONS
He has been profiled and featured in various leading financial and sports publications.
He has been featured at Forbes, Bloomberg, Yahoo! Finance, CNBC, Business Insider, Financial Times, and many more.