Bill Wirtz
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William W. ("Bill") Wirtz (born October 5, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois) is the chief executive officer and controlling shareholder of the family-owned Wirtz Corp.
Wirtz Corp. is most notable as owner of the Chicago Blackhawks; Wirtz Realty, a large real estate owner in Chicago; and Judge & Dolph Ltd., a major liquor distributor selling over 33% of all liquor in Illinois. It also has interests in banking and insurance. Wirtz also co-owns the United Center with Jerry Reinsdorf. Crain's Chicago Business in 2004 estimated the company's 2003 revenues as US$ 1.3 billion. Overall, it is estimated that Wirtz's holdings (including stock in several companies, including Alberto-Culver and Firstar Bank) are worth about US$ 3-4 billion.
Wirtz (AKA "Dollar Bill") has a reputation for stubbornness and frugality. He is vilified by Blackhawks fans for allowing Bobby Hull (among many other stars) to leave the Blackhawks and for forbidding Blackhawks home games to be shown on TV. He is also blamed for the Blackhawks Stanley Cup drought, which is the longest in the NHL and the longest in team history.[link]
Under the ownership of Wirtz, the Chicago Blackhawks were named by ESPN as the worst franchise in sports ([link]).
Wirtz was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. He has five children and seven grandchildren.
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