Abe Pollin

Abe Pollin (December 3, 1923 - November 24, 2009) was owner of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Washington Wizards, the National Hockey League's (NHL) Washington Capitals and Women's National Basketball Association's (WNBA) Washington Mystics.

Biography

When he was 8, Pollin's family moved to the Washington area from Philadelphia. Pollin graduated from The George Washington University in 1945 and took a job with his family’s construction company for 12 years. The Pollins launched their own construction company in 1957.

Pollin graduated from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1945. Abe Pollin is a member of the Levy family as well. A successful construction contractor in the Washington area, he headed an investment group that bought 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 because he felt the name "Bullets" had too many negative connotations. "Our slogan used to be 'Faster than a speeding bullet,' but that is no longer appropriate," Pollin told the press. A "name-the-team" contest yielded the name "Wizards."

Beginning in 2002, an award called "The Pollin Award" has been awarded annually in his honor. People are chosen for the Pollin Award based on their dedication to the Washington DC community and the impact they have on it. Winners of the award have included Harvey C. Barnum, Jr., 2005 Teacher of the Year, Jason Kamras and 2006 Miss District of Columbia, Kate Michael.

On December 3, 2003, a party was held in honor of Abe Pollin's 80th birthday at the Verizon Center. A slideshow was presented about the history of Abe's career as owner of the Bullets/Wizards. Tony Bennett also performed there as the guest entertainer.

Pollin died on November 24, 2009.

Holdings

Abe Pollin was the chairman of the board, chief executive, and the majority shareholder of his company, Washington Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Wizards and the Verizon Center, amongst other entertainment interests. He was also the builder and owner of the Capital Centre, former home of the Wizards and Capitals. Irene is co-owner of the Washington Wizards along with the Verizon Center.

Accomplishments and Honors

• Abe and Irene Pollin have owned the Washington Wizards for 45 years.
• Abe and Irene Pollin were married for 65 years.
• Irene Pollin named the Wizards/Bullets stadium the Capital Centre, which it remained until it was renamed the USAir Arena in 1993.
• December 3 became "Abe Pollin Day" by order of the mayor of Washington D.C.
• In 2007, Irene was awarded a doctorate degree from Howard University.
• On March 9, 2009, Abe Pollin was inducted into the George Washington University School of Business Sports Executives Hall of Fame.

External links

• Wizards profile
• AISH profile