Wizards owner Abe Pollin passes away at 85
by Mike Prada on Nov 24, 2009 4:01 PM EST
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PrintSome very sad news via Michael Lee -- Abe Pollin, the longtime owner of the Wizards, has passed away at age 85.
Sad news from Washington. I just heard that Wizards owner Abe Pollin has died at age 85. No details yet, but he passed this afternoon.
I'm truly stunned. We all knew he was struggling healthwise, but this definitely came out of nowhere. My condolences go to the Pollin family for their loss.
I'll have more to write some other time, when I have a chance to gather my thoughts. All I can say for now is this: Abe Pollin was professional basketball in this city. He was a truly titanic presence, the rare owner that cared so much about others. He built a new arena in downtown DC, initially out of his own pocket, to try to revitalize a decaying area of the city that needed new life. He has given tremendous amounts of money to charity and done numerous great deeds that are too many to count.
In short, this is a monumental loss for the NBA and for the Wizards fan community. We should all take a moment to truly appreciate the great man that Abe Pollin was.
RIP.
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just saw this - very sad
but not quite tragic, when someone has lived a full life like him. i hope it was easy and with minimal suffering.
we (Wiz fans) are lucky to have had him. i especially will remember him for building the stadium on his own and not pulling any crap about threatening to move the team if the citizens didn’t pony up for a new arena. DC has enough problems with poverty as it is. he knew and loved the city and its people.
he also understood that a pro team is really a public trust, no matter who actually owns it. and look at 7th street now – thank you Abe Pollin.
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 24, 2009 4:07 PM EST reply actions
It is unfortunate, of course
But especially unfortunate that the team he loved went 22-72 over the last 13 months of his life. All the best to his biological and Wizards families.
Very sad day...
Will miss you Abe. I have lived on 7th and H street for 2 years now and can’t imagine living anywhere else. I really hope the players step up and do something nice.
yeah defintely wonder how they players will react
the timing is really odd, with turmoil and eddie jordan coming into town. i know jamison really seemed to appreciate him.
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 24, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks, Mike
A nice note. You summed it up well. RIP, Abe.
Wow
Come as a shock. Thank you Abe for everything you have done for DC which has been my home for almost 20 years.
RIP Abe
Thank you Abe for all that you’ve done for DC.
by formula0 on Nov 24, 2009 4:28 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
RIP Abe - I will miss you
Very very sad news. Stunning even though we all knew his health was declining.
I will miss Abe. He did amazing things for the D.C. community and he was a wonderful owner.
To add more content
What he did for the entire China town area is AMAZING. Truly astounding how he transformed a down trodden area of our nation’s capital. I lived there for 3 years while attending law school, and spent most of my time in China town, and I really can’t say enough about how much he impacted that area.
Every city needs pillars of the community like Abe Pollin and he will really truly be missed. My thoughts are with his family.
by Manimal Smith on Nov 24, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
RIP ABE
if anyone lived in DC area pre (MCI) Verizon Center, you’ll recognize the vast impact he had on the vibrant downtown we now enjoy.
if there was no verizon center the only restaurants we’d have in that area are the kinds with thick bulletproof ordering counters with elaborate food doors..
RIP
really sucks we couldnt get him that second championship he deserved.
by ianflo on Nov 24, 2009 4:49 PM EST via mobile reply actions
RIP
Another good man down.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
Sad Day
Hoping this might galvanize the Wizards, at least to stop the bickering as of late…From what I’ve read, Jamison seemed to admire Pollin the most and wanted to win a championship for him…
Props to an important fixture
not only for Washington Sports, but Washington the City. I didn’t agree with everything he did with the team, but there was no denying his passion and will. He was an example to sports owners everywhere.
As for the team: no more excuses; you have your clarion call.
RIP Abe.
You truly were one of sports’ great owners. Maybe you didn’t spend every last dime you had on the team, but that’s only because you realized that life is about much much more than just winning championships. Your philanthropic endeavors prove that you lived your life according to that principle. As for the team itself, we know you truly cared, and you always acted with with great dignity, setting an example for the team, the organization, and the city to follow.
You will be missed. Here’s to hoping the Wizards pull together and dedicate the rest of the season to your legacy.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 24, 2009 5:06 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I'm off to the game-
this is going to be really tough today. The man also contributed a lot to the non profit I worked for so just hard. For some odd reason i did wear all black today so i guess at least I’m suitably dressed. I hope the wiz can win one today.
Geez..... Thanks Abe, you were a great man and....
a real asset to the city we all love. My condolences to Irene and your family.
I sincerely hope that the team that meant so much to you will honor your memory with an outstanding effort tonight and for the rest of this season.
RIP... wow!
I was not expecting this at all when coming here today. My condolences to the Pollin family! Abe will be missed by many and was one of the sport’s greatest owners. This is a sad day.
RIP
Surprised how sad I am about this. He leaves the Wizards and DC in much better hands than he found them, and he did it the right way.
As A San Antonio Spurs I would like to say I am sorry about your team owners death.
I hope everything is gonna to be all right in the upcoming days for your team.
Rip Abe Pollin
IF you see a opportunity you take the opportunity
It's Hard to be a Spurs Fan in Dallas
*
As A San Antonio Spurs fan I would like to say I am sorry about your team owners death.
I hope everything is gonna to be all right in the upcoming days for your team.
Rip Abe Pollin
IF you see a opportunity you take the opportunity
It's Hard to be a Spurs Fan in Dallas
by sportsfan900 on Nov 24, 2009 5:42 PM EST up reply actions
i wonder
if abe’s health situation was having a negative impact on the team? it might explain why some players were in a funk? unlikely but maybe.
i’d like to reiterate what others are saying about abe being a great owner. it’s funny, abe went from being looked at as the worst owner in town to, in hindsight, arguably being the best owner in town, maybe in all of pro sports.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Nov 24, 2009 5:56 PM EST reply actions
Abe was a DC staple
Rest in peace.
"There's only one cure for what's wrong with all of us pitchers, and that's to take a year off. Then, after you've gone a year without throwing, quit altogether." -Jim Palmer
Stunned
Considering his age and health condition this shouldn’t have been a shock, but after seeing the headline it just wouldn’t register now matter how long I stared at it. This man was very special and what he did for DC sports should never be forgotten. No person is perfect, but the good he did far outdistances any of the negatives. Plus I think he did the area a favor by leaving his teams in the care of Ted.
Thank you for everything Abe, God bless you and may you finally rest in peace.
Unexpected and saddened
I would have loved for him to see the Wizards win another championship. I know he also would have loved to see that happen. My condolences go to his family and close friends and may he rest in peace.
Condolences from a Blazer fan in DC
If any owner deserved to witness the fruits of his labor it was Mr. Pollin. Though I’m a transplant with roots to a team elsewhere, Mr. Pollin’s impact on my adopted city is profound beyond measure. A true loss for the NBA but a lasting legacy for both the league and more importantly, the city and metro region.
Sincere condolences go out to Mr. Pollin’s family and friends.
"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."
RIP Abe
I didn’t agree with everything you did, but I don’t think you can separate Bullets/Wizards from Abe Pollin either.
My condolences to the Pollin family.
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea
If there were a Mount Rushmore of D.C. sports
Abe Pollin would be on there with Joe Gibbs, Jack Kent Cooke and John Thompson II
Our basketball community if the poorer for him being gone. Two arenas built and a section of downtown revitalized. Plus innumerable charities helped during his tenure. Lord knows how many young people in D.C. and the surrounding areas. A life well lived with purpose and decency.
I ate at Legal Sea Foods before a playoff game in 2006 and saw Mr. Pollin sitting there. I was nervous to go up to him and talk to him because I didn’t wnat to bother him during dinner. I finally decided to speak with him and all I said was thank you and good luck. He was very nice and gracious. I shook his hand and left. I was happy to have met him and shared a brief moment with him.
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Nov 24, 2009 8:37 PM EST reply actions
Pollin was one of the good ones
Check that – one of the great ones.
Sympathies to the Pollin family and to Wizards fans from the left coast.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Only One Thing Left to Do
Win a championship in honor of Abe. It’s a real shame he won’t see it here on earth, but I sincerely hope he is in a better place and can watch the celebration from where ever he is.
"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier
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