Larry Weinberg
Encyclopedia
Larry Weinberg is an American real estate developer who was one of the founders of the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers
. Weinberg is a US military veteran who served in the US 6th Army Group as and infantry grunt during World War II. He was severely wounded in combat in France and spent over a year recovering in a US military hospital.
In 1970, Weinberg, Herman Sarkowsky
, and Robert Schmertz
paid $3.7 million to secure an NBA expansion team
for Portland. Weinberg became president of the Trail Blazers in 1975, replacing Sarkowsky, who turned his attention to the NFL's Seattle Seahawks
. Two years later, the Trail Blazers won an NBA Championship
. Weinberg served as team president until 1988, when he sold the team to Paul Allen
.
The Trail Blazers honored Weinberg in 1992 by retiring a #1 jersey with his name. Five players have since received permission from Weinberg to wear #1: Rod Strickland
, Derek Anderson, Jarrett Jack
, Armon Johnson
and Ike Diogu
.
In addition to his work in basketball and real estate, Weinberg has served as president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
.
Weinberg is a devoted husband, father of 4, grandfather of 12, and great-grandfather of 3.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
. Weinberg is a US military veteran who served in the US 6th Army Group as and infantry grunt during World War II. He was severely wounded in combat in France and spent over a year recovering in a US military hospital.
In 1970, Weinberg, Herman Sarkowsky
Herman Sarkowsky
Herman Sarkowsky is a Seattle, Washington, United States businessman, philanthropist, thoroughbred breeder, and former sports executive. He was a co-founder of two Pacific Northwest sports franchises, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Seattle Seahawks.-Early life and career:Sarkowsky was born in...
, and Robert Schmertz
Robert Schmertz
Robert Schmertz was an American developer and sports franchise owner. He was owner or part-owner of two NBA franchises; the Portland Trail Blazers from 1970 through 1972, and the Boston Celtics from 1972 until 1975...
paid $3.7 million to secure an NBA expansion team
Expansion team
An expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
for Portland. Weinberg became president of the Trail Blazers in 1975, replacing Sarkowsky, who turned his attention to the NFL's Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
. Two years later, the Trail Blazers won an NBA Championship
1977 NBA Finals
The 1977 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1976-77 NBA season. The Portland Trail Blazers of the Western Conference played against the Philadelphia 76ers of the Eastern Conference, with the 76ers holding home-court advantage. Their 4 regular season meetings had been...
. Weinberg served as team president until 1988, when he sold the team to Paul Allen
Paul Allen
Paul Gardner Allen is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. Allen co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates...
.
The Trail Blazers honored Weinberg in 1992 by retiring a #1 jersey with his name. Five players have since received permission from Weinberg to wear #1: Rod Strickland
Rod Strickland
Rodney "Rod" Strickland is a retired American professional basketball player and currently in an administrative role for the University of Kentucky basketball team under head coach John Calipari. Strickland was formerly the director of basketball operations at the University of Memphis...
, Derek Anderson, Jarrett Jack
Jarrett Jack
Jarrett Matthew Jack is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA. At 6' 3" tall and weighing 197 lbs , he primarily plays at the guard position...
, Armon Johnson
Armon Johnson
Armon Deshawn Johnson is a basketball player who was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers as the 34th overall pick at the 2010 NBA Draft. A point guard, Johnson played in college for the Nevada Wolfpack. Johnson signed with the Blazers in August 2010. On January 28, 2011, he was assigned to the...
and Ike Diogu
Ike Diogu
Ikechukwu Somtochukwu Diogu, referred to as Ike Diogu , is an Nigerian American professional basketball player who is currently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers.-Family and early life:...
.
In addition to his work in basketball and real estate, Weinberg has served as president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
American Israel Public Affairs Committee
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is a lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies to the Congress and Executive Branch of the United States...
.
Weinberg is a devoted husband, father of 4, grandfather of 12, and great-grandfather of 3.
External links
- Learn more about Larry Weinberg from NBA.com
- Profile at California Building Industry Foundation website