Professional Basketball Team Owner. As owner of the Washington Wizards, he held the longest proprietorship of an National Basketball Association franchise, from 1964 until his death. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Russian-Jewish immigrants, he moved with his family at the age of eight to Washington, D.C. for the purpose of his father's work. He attended George Washington University where he studied Government and graduated in 1945 joining the family's construction company. Following the successful growth of the business during the 1950s, Pollin (an avid sports fan since his childhood) along with two investors purchased the Baltimore Bullets in 1964 for $1.1 million dollars. He became sole owner a few years later. During his ownership the team would relocate to the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, undergo three name changes (Capital Bullets, Washington Bullets, Wizards), and experience an NBA Championship title in 1978. Such star players as Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes and Michael Jordan (who closed out his career with Washington) became part of the team's history during Pollin's tenure. In addition, he was the first owner of the NHL's Washington Capitals in 1972 (who were sold in 1999), oversaw construction of the Verizon Center and owned the Washington Mystics of the WNBA (who were sold in 2005). He died from a rare neurological disorder.
Professional Basketball Team Owner. As owner of the Washington Wizards, he held the longest proprietorship of an National Basketball Association franchise, from 1964 until his death. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Russian-Jewish immigrants, he moved with his family at the age of eight to Washington, D.C. for the purpose of his father's work. He attended George Washington University where he studied Government and graduated in 1945 joining the family's construction company. Following the successful growth of the business during the 1950s, Pollin (an avid sports fan since his childhood) along with two investors purchased the Baltimore Bullets in 1964 for $1.1 million dollars. He became sole owner a few years later. During his ownership the team would relocate to the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, undergo three name changes (Capital Bullets, Washington Bullets, Wizards), and experience an NBA Championship title in 1978. Such star players as Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes and Michael Jordan (who closed out his career with Washington) became part of the team's history during Pollin's tenure. In addition, he was the first owner of the NHL's Washington Capitals in 1972 (who were sold in 1999), oversaw construction of the Verizon Center and owned the Washington Mystics of the WNBA (who were sold in 2005). He died from a rare neurological disorder.
Bio by: C.S.
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