Peter Ueberroth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Ueberroth
Olympic Order
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Ueberroth in 1985
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| President of the United States Olympic Committee | |
| In office 2004–2008 |
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| Preceded by | Marty Mankamyer William C. Martin (Interim) |
| Succeeded by | Larry Probst |
| 6th Commissioner of Baseball | |
| In office October 1, 1984 – April 1, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Bowie Kuhn |
| Succeeded by | Bart Giamatti |
| President of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee | |
| In office August 3, 1980 – August 12, 1984 |
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| IOC President | Juan Antonio Samaranch |
| Preceded by | Ignati Novikov (Official Representative) |
| Succeeded by | Roh Tae-woo |
| Chair of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee | |
| In office March 26, 1979 – August 12, 1984 |
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| Preceded by | Committee established |
| Succeeded by | Position dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Peter Victor Ueberroth
September 2, 1937 Evanston, Illinois, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | San Jose State University |
Peter Victor Ueberroth (born September 2, 1937) is an American businessman and sports leader. He is famous for his work with the Olympics and Major League Baseball. He was the chairman of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee. This group brought the Olympic Games to Los Angeles in 1984. For his success, Time magazine named him "Man of the Year" in 1984.
After the Olympics, he became the sixth commissioner of Baseball. He held this important role from 1984 to 1989. Later, he led the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. He was chairman from 2004 to 2008.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Peter Ueberroth was born in Evanston, Illinois. His father had German and Austrian roots. His mother had Swedish and Irish family. He grew up in northern California.
School and Sports
At Fremont High School, Peter was a great athlete. He played football, baseball, and was a strong swimmer. He then went to San Jose State University on a sports scholarship.
He studied business at San Jose State. In 1956, he tried out for the U.S. Olympic water polo team. He did not make the team, but he graduated in 1959.
Starting a Business
After college, Peter became a vice president at Trans International Airlines. He was only 22 years old. In 1963, he started his own travel company. It was called First Travel Corporation. By 1980, when he sold it, it was one of the biggest travel companies in North America.
Sports Leadership Career
Leading the 1984 Olympics
For five years, Peter Ueberroth organized the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He played a very important part in the games. At the end, he received the Olympic Order in gold.
The games were a huge success. They were the first Olympic Games funded by private money. They even made a profit of almost $250 million. This money was used to help youth sports across the United States.
Ueberroth put together a large committee of business people. They helped find ideas and solve problems. He also worked hard to get companies to sponsor the Olympics. This idea is still used today for Olympic sponsorships.
Becoming Baseball Commissioner
On October 1, 1984, Ueberroth became the sixth commissioner of Baseball. This is the top leader in Major League Baseball. He had more power to fine teams and players. His salary was also much higher than the previous commissioner.
Soon after he started, baseball umpires threatened to strike. Ueberroth helped solve the problem quickly. The umpires were back at work before the playoffs ended. He also helped stop a players' strike the next summer. It lasted only one day.
Key Changes in Baseball
As commissioner, Ueberroth brought back two famous players, Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle. They had been banned from working in baseball. He also expanded the League Championship Series from five games to seven games in 1985.
He encouraged the Chicago Cubs to install lights at Wrigley Field. This allowed them to play night games. Ueberroth also found new ways for baseball to make money. He got big companies to pay to have their products endorsed by Major League Baseball.
Challenges and Legacy
During his time, there were some disagreements about player contracts. Players who were free agents (could sign with any team) felt they were not getting fair deals. The players' union filed charges and won. This led to large fines for the teams.
Despite these issues, Major League Baseball grew under Ueberroth. Attendance reached record highs for four years. There was better crowd control and alcohol management at ballparks. He also started a strong anti-drug campaign.
Financially, baseball improved a lot. When Ueberroth started, most teams were losing money. By 1988, all teams were making money or breaking even. Baseball made a profit for the first time in many years.
Ueberroth stepped down as commissioner in 1989. He was replaced by A. Bartlett Giamatti.
After Baseball
After leaving baseball, Peter Ueberroth continued his business career. He became a director for The Coca-Cola Company in 1986. He is also chairman of the Contrarian Group, Inc., a business management company.
He is also co-chairman of Pebble Beach Company. In 1999, he, along with Arnold Palmer and Clint Eastwood, bought the famous golf course in Pebble Beach, California.
In 1990, Ueberroth bought a major share of Hawaiian Airlines. He did this with his brother John and business partner J. Thomas Talbot.
Public Service and Politics
After the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Ueberroth led a project called "Rebuild Los Angeles." This project aimed to help the city recover.
In 2003, he ran for Governor of California. He ran as an independent candidate. His campaign focused on California's money problems. He later left the race, but his name was still on the ballot.
From 2004 to 2008, Ueberroth was chairman of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Board of Directors. In 2010, he was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame.
He is a trustee for the University of Southern California. He also helped start Sage Hill School. He is a board member for the Lott Trophy, which honors college football players.
Personal Life
Peter Ueberroth married Virginia "Ginny" Nicolaus in 1959. They have four children.
See also
In Spanish: Peter Ueberroth para niños
