James F. Callahan was the owner of the Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets and later the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National Hockey League. James, who had the reputation as a frugal businessman, was a lawyer from Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood. On October 8, 1928 financial problems forced Callahan to sell the team to an ownership group which included Bill Dwyer. However, because he already owned the New York Americans, Dwyer had ex-lightweight boxing champion, Benny Leonard act as the team's owner.