Arthur Wirtz
| Arthur Wirtz | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Arthur Michael Wirtz January 23, 1901 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | 21 July 1983 (aged 82) Chicago, Illinois |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Residence | Chicago, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Occupation | Founder of Wirtz Corporation Owner of: Chicago Stadium, Bismarck Hotel, Chicago Black Hawks, Chicago Bulls |
| Home town | Chicago, Illinois |
| Children | Bill Wirtz Michael Wirtz |
| Family |
Rocky Wirtz (grandson) |
Arthur Michael Wirtz (January 23, 1901 – July 21, 1983) was a powerful figure in sports and arena operation. He was the founder of Wirtz Corporation, a holding company that owned Chicago Stadium, the Bismarck Hotel in Chicago, the Chicago Black Hawks, and the Chicago Bulls. He was the father of the late Black Hawks owner Bill Wirtz, and grandfather of current Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Wirtz went into sports and arena ownership because of his real estate investments. He was a real estate salesman in Chicago after graduating from the University of Michigan in 1923.
Wirtz was an important showbiz figure with his presentation of the Sonja Henie Ice Show, which toured arenas for many years. He was also involved with the Henie-produced ice shows which played the Center Theatre at Rockefeller Center in New York for several seasons.
Wirtz took over the ownership of Ice Follies and Holiday on Ice, which he later sold to Irvin and Kenneth Feld.
He was a major factor in the growth of the National Hockey League. In 1929, he formed a partnership with grain dealer James E. Norris. Three years later, they teamed up to buy the floundering Detroit Falcons and renamed them the Red Wings. In 1946, he and James D. Norris helped Bill Tobin purchase the nearly bankrupt Chicago Blackhawks. Wirtz continued to help run the Red Wings. In summer of 1951, Arthur Wirtz left Detroit to join the (Chicago) board of directors. In the summer of 1972, he purchased the Bulls from team founder Dick Klein. He owned both the Blackhawks and the Bulls until his death.
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