Abe Pollin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abe Pollin
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Pollin in 1998
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| Born | December 3, 1923 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Died | November 24, 2009 (aged 85) Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Occupation | Building contractor Real estate developer Sports team owner Philanthropist |
| Known for | owner of the: |
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| Children | 4, including Robert |
Abraham J. Pollin (born December 3, 1923 – died November 24, 2009) was a famous American businessman. He was best known for owning several professional sports teams. These included the Washington Capitals (ice hockey), the Washington Mystics (women's basketball), and the Washington Wizards (men's basketball). Pollin owned the Wizards team for 46 years, which was the longest time anyone had owned an NBA team.
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About Abe Pollin
Abe Pollin was born in Philadelphia on December 3, 1923. His family was Jewish. When he was eight years old, his family moved to the Washington area. After finishing high school in 1941, he went to George Washington University. He earned a business degree in 1945.
After college, Pollin worked for his family's construction company for 12 years. In 1957, he and his family started their own construction business. He became a very successful builder in the Washington area.
Becoming a Sports Team Owner
In 1964, Abe Pollin and two partners bought the Baltimore Bullets basketball team. They paid $1.1 million for it. In 1973, Pollin moved the team to the Washington area. He did this after building a new sports arena called the Capital Centre in Maryland.
In 1996, Pollin decided to change the team's name. The team was called the "Bullets," but he felt this name had a negative meaning. He wanted a name that was more positive. He held a contest to choose a new name, and the team became the "Wizards."
Helping the Community
Abe Pollin cared a lot about the Washington, D.C. community. He was known for his generous actions. For example, in 1988, he partnered with another businessman to give college scholarships to 59 fifth-grade students in Seat Pleasant, Maryland.
Since 2002, an award called "The Pollin Award" has been given out every year. This award honors people who show great dedication to the Washington, D.C. community. It recognizes those who make a big positive difference.
His Later Years and Death
Abe Pollin passed away on November 24, 2009. He was 85 years old, just nine days before his 86th birthday. He died from a rare brain disease called corticobasal degeneration. Pollin had donated $3 million to help find a cure for this disease.
His Family Life
Abe Pollin married Irene Sue Kerchek on May 27, 1945. They were married in Washington, D.C. They had four children: three sons and one daughter. Their daughter, Linda Joy, and one son, Kenneth Jay, both had a serious heart condition. Kenneth Jay died when he was 14 months old, and Linda died at 16 years old. After Linda's death, Abe Pollin was very sad. He even took a year off from his construction business to cope with his loss.
Pollin's Businesses
Abe Pollin was the main leader and owner of a company called Washington Sports and Entertainment. This company owned the Washington Wizards basketball team. It also owned the Capital One Arena, which is a large sports and entertainment building. Pollin also built and owned the Capital Centre, which was the former home of his teams.
Awards and Recognition
Abe Pollin received many honors for his work and contributions.
- In 1999, he received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
- In 2009, he was inducted into the George Washington University School of Business Sports Executives Hall of Fame.
- In 2011, he was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
Pollin is often praised for helping to make Downtown Washington, D.C. a better place. He built the Capital One Arena there, which brought new life and businesses to the area. The street block where the arena is located was even named "Abe Pollin Way" in his honor. An apartment building in Chevy Chase, Maryland, called "The Irene Apartments," was built by Abe and named after his wife.
On December 3, 2007, the mayor of Washington, D.C., Adrian Fenty, declared it "Abe Pollin Day" in the city.
