A sad day today in DC sports. Wizards owner Abe Pollin has passed, he was 85.Pollin was the brain child behind the Verizon Center, the sports and entertainment complex right in the heart of China Town in downtown DC where the Wizards, and Washington Capitals play their home games.
It is also a major hub for concerts, like the upcoming Jay-Z concert on March 3rd of next year.
Pollin, along with his wife, Irene were true philanthropists, giving back to the community with their 'Wizards Care' program. The Pollins were also donors to numerous organizations. Among them, the GAVI Fund, an organization that helps ensure that children in underdeveloped countries receive childhood vaccines.
In 2007, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty proclaimed December 3rd Abe Pollin Day - in honor of his 84th birthday. The street in front of the Verizon Center was named Abe Pollin Way in his honor.
Pollin also founded Washington's WNBA franchise – the Washington Mystics – in 1997, and saw his franchise debut at Verizon Center on June 19, 1998, in front of 20,674 fans; the largest crowd ever to attend a women's professional basketball game in the United States. In May of 2005, Pollin facilitated the sale of the Mystics to Lincoln Holdings and brought in Sheila Johnson as the Mystics President and Managing Partner. With Lincoln Holdings' stake in the NBA's Wizards and the NHL's Capitals, Johnson became the first African-American woman to have ownership interest in three professional sports franchises.
In my only interview with Pollin, he told me last season that his Washington Wizards were just as good as any team. The Wizards had just beaten the Cleveland Cavaliers last April 3rd, 109-101.
“I called it. I predicted that we would win. When all our guys are hurt, and they come back, we have a competitive team. We can compete with anybody", said Pollin.
That was in 2008 when the Wizards had the return of Antawn Jamison and Gilbert Arenas on that night, after the team struggled with injuries for most of the 2008 season.The Wizards are at home tonight against the Philly 76ers, the team now coached by former Wizards coach Eddie Jordan.
Pollin suffered from brian cancer for many years, and died before he was able to realize his dream of the Wizards winning a championship.
When the Wizards bought on Flip Saunders as the new coach, Abe's only request was, "Don't let us down."
Win tonight's game for Abe, guys.
[Photo: Pollin with Saunders and Wizards VP Ernie Grunfeld]
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Pollin Photo Gallery
Memorial Info
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