Peter Bynoe facts for kids

Peter Charles Bernard Bynoe (born March 20, 1951) is a successful attorney and businessman from Chicago. He made history in 1989. He and his partner, Bertram Lee, were the first African-Americans to buy a major share of an NBA team. They bought 37.5% of the Denver Nuggets basketball team.

Bynoe also played a big part in keeping the Chicago White Sox baseball team in Chicago. He helped build their new stadium, now called Rate Field. He is known for helping professional sports teams find and build their venues. He also helped with the 1996 and 2012 Summer Olympics events.

Early Life and Education

Peter Bynoe was born in Boston, Massachusetts. His family was well-known and respected. His father, Victor C. Bynoe, came from Barbados when he was 13. He became a successful lawyer after studying at Northeastern University. Victor Bynoe even represented Boston Celtics star Bill Russell.

His father also held important government jobs in Boston. He was part of the mayor's team in 1950. Peter's mother, Ethel, was American. She was known for her community work. Peter's uncle, John Bynoe, worked for civil rights.

Peter went to William Lloyd Garrison Elementary School. He graduated from Boston Latin School in 1968. He says his parents taught him to work hard in school. He loved sports, especially the Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox. Even though these teams had black players, Boston had racial tensions back then. Black fans like Peter sometimes felt unsure about going to games.

Peter studied at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He earned his first degree, a bachelor's degree, in 1972. Then, he got his master's degree (an M.B.A.) in 1976. This degree focused on money and selling products. He also earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Harvard Law School. This degree focused on business law. Peter is also a licensed real estate broker in Illinois.

In 1987, Peter married Linda Jean Walker. She was a vice-president at a big financial company in New York.

Business and Sports Career

Peter Bynoe started his career at Citibank in 1976. He later moved to Chicago in 1977. He worked for a company where he became known for helping different groups work together. He also helped develop businesses owned by minority groups.

In 1987, the Chicago White Sox baseball team was thinking about leaving Chicago. Peter Bynoe was asked to help. From 1988 to 1992, he led the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. This group was in charge of building the new $250 million New Comiskey Park for the White Sox. The stadium was finished on time and within its budget.

Bynoe helped build U.S. Cellular Field to keep the Chicago White Sox in Chicago.

In 1989, Peter Bynoe and Bertram Lee bought the Denver Nuggets basketball team. They had worked together before. The deal was difficult at first. Bertram Lee had trouble getting enough money. But Peter Bynoe, with help from others, saved the deal.

News reports said they were the first two black owners of a major sports team. However, they actually became managing general partners. They owned a 37.5% share of the team. Peter Bynoe sold his share in the team in 1992.

In 2008, Bynoe joined Loop Capital Markets LLC. He worked there as a managing director. In 2013, he became the CEO of Rewards Network. This company helps restaurants offer loyalty programs to customers.

Other Important Work

Bynoe helped plan Centennial Olympic Stadium, which later became Turner Field.

Peter Bynoe also worked as a consultant for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. He helped plan the 85,000-seat Centennial Olympic Stadium. This stadium later became Turner Field, a baseball stadium for the Atlanta Braves. Bynoe helped negotiate the lease agreement for the Braves.

He became a partner at the law firm DLA Piper in 1995. He leads the firm's Sports Facilities Practice Group. In this role, he has helped negotiate new stadiums and venues for many teams. These include the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Heat, Washington Redskins, Milwaukee Brewers, and Columbus Blue Jackets. He also worked on big building projects for companies like The Boeing Company.

Bynoe was also involved in the 2012 Summer Olympics. He has served on the boards of several companies, like Frontier Communications and Covanta. He is also a trustee for important medical centers and theaters. He used to be the chairman of the Chicago Plan Commission.

Honors

Peter Bynoe has received special recognition for his legal work. He was named an Illinois "Super Lawyer" in 2005 and 2006. This honor comes from research by Law & Politics and Chicago magazine.