George Steinbrenner dead after massive heart attack

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/07/13/yankee.art.jpg caption="Steinbrenner reportedly suffered a massive heart attack."]

[Updated at 9:58 a.m.] New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has died, Steinbrenner's spokesman said.

“It is with profound sadness that the family of George M. Steinbrenner III announces his passing," a statement from his family said. "“He was an incredible and charitable man. First and foremost he was devoted to his entire family – his beloved wife, Joan; his sisters, Susan Norpell and Judy Kamm, his children, Hank, Jennifer, Jessica and Hal; and all of his grandchildren.

“He was a visionary and a giant in the world of sports. He took a great but struggling franchise and turned it into a champion again.”

The team has seven World Series trophies – 1977, '78, '96, '98, '99, 2000 and '09 earned under Steinbrenner's ownership since 1973.

"Owning the Yankees," Steinbrenner once said, "is like owning the Mona Lisa." Read More