The Washington Wizards of the NBA marked the passing of one of their own today. Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin passed away on Tuesday. Pollin, 85, owned the NBA team for more than 40 years. His death was announced by his company, Washington Sports & Entertainment. No details were disclosed.
The Washington Wizards won an NBA championship under Abe Pollin during the 1977-78 season. They also appeared in the NBA Finals three other times in 1971, '75 and '79. Pollin was the NBA's longest-tenured owner.
Abe Pollin purchased the then Baltimore Bullets in 1964. He moved the team to the Washington area in 1973 after building the Capital Centre. In 1996, Pollin announced that he was changing the team's name from the Washington Bullets because he felt the name "Bullets" had too many negative connotations. A "name-the-team" contest ended with the team renamed the "Wizards."
Although no details on Abe Pollin's death were given, he had suffered from the rare disease progressive supranuclear palsy. That is a rare brain illness that impairs movement and balance. He had heart bypass surgery in 2005 and broke his pelvis two years later.
With the death of Abe Pollin, a group led by longtime AOL executive Ted Leonsis is poised to take ownership of the Wizards, completing a triad of a Washington-area sports franchises that Leonsis owns. Previously, he purchased two of Pollin's teams, the NHL's Capitals in 1999 and the WNBA's Mystics in 2005. He then secured the right of first refusal to buy the rest of Pollin's Washington Sports and Entertainment holdings, which includes the Washington Wizards, Verizon Center, and Washington-Baltimore TicketMaster, upon Pollin's passing or retirement.
Abe Pollin was old-school. Critical of modern-day player misbehavior, he wouldn't hesitate to trade a superstar who got into trouble off the court. In fact, at his insistence, the final labor agreement after the 1998-99 NBA lockout included stricter rules regarding player conduct, and misconduct.
After the end of the strike, Abe Pollin told his players why he took his stance. He was blunt. "You may or may not want to be role models, but you are role models. If you don't want to be role models, you should get out of this business and go do something else."
NBA commissioner David Stern said, "With Abe Pollin's passing, the NBA family has lost its most revered member, whose stewardship of the Wizards franchise, together with his wife Irene, has been a study in unparalleled dedication to the city of Washington. During his illness he fought with a determination and valor that will remain an inspiration to all."
In addition to his wife, Abe Pollin is survived by sons Robert and James and two grandchildren. No funeral arrangements have been announced yet.
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
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