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Arthur Wirtz
Arthur Wirtz
Arthur Wirtz
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Arthur Michael Wirtz (January 23, 1901 – July 21, 1983) was an American entrepreneur. 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 Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz, as well as the grandfather of the late Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, who died on July 25, 2023.

Key Information

Early life and education

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Wirtz was born on January 23, 1901, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Leona and Fredrick Wirtz.[1] His father was a police officer.[1] In 1922, he graduated from the University of Michigan.[1]

Career

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After school, he worked as a commercial leasing broker with fellow graduate Arthur Rubloff.[1] In 1929, he partnered with grain trader and real estate investor, James E. Norris, who was impressed with how Wirtz handled one of his real estate transactions.[1] During the Great Depression, the Wirtz-Norris partnership began to purchase arenas at much reduced prices.[1] In 1933, they purchased the Olympia Stadium in Detroit, Michigan and its hockey franchise, the Detroit Falcons, which they renamed the Detroit Red Wings for $100,000.[1] In 1935, they purchased the Chicago Stadium.[1] Wirtz was able to fill his stadiums after securing and booking the Hollywood Ice Revue produced by and starring Olympic ice skating champion Sonja Henie.[1] He used the proceeds to pay off the mortgage on the Chicago Stadium and also purchase Madison Square Garden in New York City and the St. Louis Arena.[1] 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 the summer of 1951, Arthur Wirtz left Detroit to join the (Chicago) board of directors.[citation needed] In 1949, he and Jim Norris (the son of James) founded the International Boxing Club which presided over 47 of 51 championships through 1955.[1] As Wirtz and Norris had control over most of the major sporting venues east of the Mississippi, federal authorities ended their boxing monopoly in 1958 and forced them to sell Madison Square Garden.[1] In 1972, he partnered with Lester Crown from team founder Dick Klein and purchased a controlling stake in the Chicago Bulls[1] In 1974, he lost a lawsuit brought by Milwaukee real estate magnate Marvin Fishman accusing him of illegally preventing Fishman's purchase of the Bulls.[1]

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.

Honors

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He succeeded Bill Tobin as President of the Chicago Black Hawks in 1954 and quickly turned the franchise around, winning the Stanley Cup in 1961. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1971.

Personal life and death

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In 1926, he married Virginia Wirtz; they had four children: William Wirtz; Michael Wirtz; Cynthia Wirtz MacArthur; and Elizabeth Wirtz.[1] Arthur Wirtz died of cancer on July 21, 1983, at age 82 in his Chicago home. Services were held at the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago.[1]

Awards and achievements

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Arthur Wirtz

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from Grokipedia
Arthur Wirtz (January 23, 1901 – July 21, 1983) was an American businessman and sports executive from , best known as the founder of the and longtime owner of the National Hockey League's Chicago Black Hawks (now Blackhawks). Born in to a police officer father, Wirtz graduated from the in 1923 and began his career as a salesman before founding the in 1926 as a firm that initially managed over 80 residential properties in the area. Over the decades, he expanded the company into a diversified empire encompassing luxury residential and commercial , banking, and , including ownership of the Bismarck Hotel and the American Furniture Mart, with holdings valued in the hundreds of millions. In 1945, Wirtz established Wirtz Beverage (later Breakthru Beverage Group), which grew into one of the largest wholesale alcohol distributors in the United States and . Wirtz's foray into sports stemmed from his real estate ventures, particularly his acquisition and operation of in , which he transformed into a premier venue for events. He co-owned the in the 1940s and, in partnership with James D. Norris, purchased the Chicago Black Hawks in 1954, becoming the team's principal owner until his death; under his stewardship, the franchise maintained a presence in the NHL despite limited on-ice success during his era. Wirtz was also a principal owner of the team and co-founded the Hollywood Ice Revue, promoting ice skating shows that featured Olympic champion in starting in 1937. His contributions to hockey earned him induction into the in 1971 as a builder. Beyond business and sports, Wirtz served as chairman of the Urban Transit District and received the Royal Order of St. Olaf from King Olaf of for his promotional work. He was survived by two sons, William and Arthur Michael Wirtz, and two daughters, Cynthia McArthur and Elizabeth Wirtz, who continued the family legacy in the corporation.

Early life

Birth and family background

Arthur Wirtz was born on January 23, 1901, in , , to a and a . The family resided in modest circumstances, reflective of many working-class households in the city at the . Wirtz's early childhood unfolded in Chicago's working-class neighborhoods, amid the rapid industrialization and immigrant influx that characterized the early . His father's steady employment in offered financial stability during an era of economic volatility, shaping a formative environment grounded in and resilience. This upbringing in a blue-collar setting laid the groundwork for Wirtz's later pursuits, leading him toward educational opportunities as a means of advancement.

Education and initial pursuits

Wirtz attended the , graduating in 1923. Following graduation, he returned to and began his career as a real estate salesman. During the prosperous economic boom, Wirtz secured notable early successes in commercial , building his initial fortune through strategic sales and investments.

Business career

Real estate beginnings

After graduating from the in 1923, Arthur Wirtz entered the industry as a salesman in , leveraging his education to establish a brokerage role. This marked the informal beginnings of his business endeavors, focusing on property transactions in a competitive urban market. In 1933, Wirtz formed a pivotal with James E. Norris, a prominent grain trader and investor who had been impressed by Wirtz's handling of a prior transaction. The collaboration emphasized opportunistic investments in undervalued assets, capitalizing on the economic downturn to acquire properties at significantly reduced prices. This alliance provided Wirtz with expanded capital and networks, enabling a strategic approach to during widespread financial distress. Throughout , Wirtz and his partners targeted distressed properties in and its surrounding suburbs, purchasing assets for fractions of their pre-Depression value to lay the foundation for long-term wealth accumulation. Notable among these were residential buildings on 's North Side, which formed the core of his growing portfolio exceeding 80 properties. To manage and lease these holdings efficiently, Wirtz had formalized the in 1926 as a dedicated entity for real estate operations, streamlining administration and expansion across the region.

Arena acquisitions and entertainment ventures

In partnership with James Norris, Arthur Wirtz began acquiring major arenas in the early to build a network of venues for sports and entertainment. In 1933, they purchased Detroit's Olympia Stadium along with the city's professional hockey franchise for $2.5 million, marking Wirtz's entry into large-scale arena ownership. The partnership expanded in 1935 with the acquisition of , originally built in 1929 for $7 million but acquired for $300,000 amid financial difficulties, providing Wirtz with control over one of the world's largest indoor arenas at the time. Wirtz promoted ice shows at the venue to diversify programming and attract audiences beyond sports seasons. In the mid-1940s, they further extended their holdings by acquiring the and its surrounding 70-acre property in 1946, bolstering regional entertainment operations. To ensure year-round profitability, Wirtz integrated entertainment ventures, particularly ice revues, which filled seats during off-seasons and generated substantial revenue. In 1936, he signed Olympic gold medalist Sonja Henie to headline the inaugural Hollywood Ice Revue, staging 17 performances across nine U.S. cities that year and establishing a successful touring model. Throughout the 1940s, Wirtz co-produced annual editions of the revue with Henie, including shows at Chicago Stadium that drew large crowds and contributed significantly to the venue's financial stability through non-sports events. These productions, such as the 1940 "It Happens on Ice" at Radio City Music Hall—which attracted 1.5 million attendees—highlighted Wirtz's innovative approach to arena utilization and solidified his influence in the ice entertainment industry.

Corporate expansion and holdings

Arthur Wirtz expanded his business interests beyond and arenas through strategic acquisitions in the sector, notably purchasing the Bismarck Hotel in , which became a key asset in his portfolio. This acquisition bolstered the Wirtz Corporation's holdings in prime urban properties, contributing to the company's diversification into commercial operations. Additionally, in with James D. Norris during the , Wirtz acquired a partial stake in , securing a controlling interest of approximately 40 percent in the venue's corporation, which facilitated influence over major events in New York. However, this stake was sold in 1959 to Motors Corporation for $4 million, marking the end of Wirtz's direct involvement in the iconic arena. By the 1950s, the underwent significant expansion into non-sports sectors, particularly beverage distribution, with the establishment of Wirtz Beverage in , which grew into a major wholesale alcohol distributor serving and beyond. This move capitalized on post-Prohibition opportunities and profits from arena operations, such as those at , to fund broader corporate growth into liquor sales across multiple states, including , , and . The diversification strategy emphasized stable revenue streams outside volatile entertainment ventures, solidifying the corporation's foundation as a multifaceted . A notable example of this diversification occurred in 1972 when Wirtz, in a joint venture with longtime associate , acquired a in the franchise from founder Dick Klein for $5.1 million, integrating ownership into the corporation's portfolio as a calculated extension of its entertainment holdings. This acquisition underscored Wirtz's approach to balancing risk through cross-sector investments, leveraging his arena expertise to enhance the team's operational synergies without delving into day-to-day management. The Bulls stake remained part of the Wirtz holdings until his death in 1983.

Sports involvement

Hockey team ownership

In partnership with James E. Norris, Arthur Wirtz acquired the Detroit Falcons of the National Hockey League and the associated Olympia Stadium in 1933, purchasing the franchise for $100,000 and the arena for $2.5 million. The duo promptly renamed the team the , drawing inspiration from Norris's former amateur club in . Under their stewardship, the Red Wings emerged as a dominant force, capturing the in 1936, 1937, 1943, and 1950, establishing a legacy of success through savvy management and investments in talent like goaltender and forward . Shifting focus to Chicago, Wirtz and Norris orchestrated the 1946 acquisition of the financially distressed Chicago Black Hawks via a syndicate nominally led by longtime team president Bill Tobin, though the partners exerted significant control from behind the scenes. This move allowed them to own interests in two NHL franchises until a restructuring in 1952 following the death of James E. Norris Sr., after which Wirtz sold his interest in the Red Wings to consolidate holdings in Chicago. Appointed president of the Black Hawks in 1954, Wirtz guided the franchise to its first Stanley Cup since 1938 in 1961, defeating the Detroit Red Wings in a dramatic seven-game series, with key contributions from players such as Bobby Hull and Pierre Pilote. Wirtz's operational acumen proved vital in navigating the Black Hawks' persistent financial challenges, leveraging his ownership of —which hosted lucrative matches, circuses, and political conventions—to subsidize team operations and ensure long-term viability. He implemented cost-conscious strategies, including selective player trades such as the 1957 acquisition of Glenn Hall from , which bolstered the roster without excessive spending and contributed to the 1961 championship run. These decisions underscored Wirtz's emphasis on fiscal prudence and arena synergies as cornerstones of NHL sustainability during an era of league expansion and economic volatility.

Boxing promotions and other sports

In 1949, Arthur Wirtz partnered with boxing promoter James D. Norris to establish the International Boxing Club (IBC), a corporation designed to organize and promote events at major arenas including . The IBC quickly expanded its influence by securing exclusive contracts with prominent fighters and venues, staging high-profile bouts that drew large crowds to Wirtz's facilities. Notable examples included title defenses at , such as Rocky Marciano's first-round knockout of in their 1953 rematch, which underscored the club's ability to host championship-level attractions. Wirtz utilized his arenas for these promotions to diversify revenue streams beyond standard event bookings. By the mid-1950s, the IBC had achieved a virtual monopoly on U.S. professional boxing, promoting 47 out of 51 championship bouts in the United States from 1949 to 1955 and controlling the vast majority (over 80%) of world title fights during that era. This dominance involved practices such as exclusive leasing of venues like and , as well as financial arrangements that sidelined independent promoters. The U.S. Department of Justice initiated an antitrust against the IBC in , charging Wirtz, Norris, and associated entities with violating Sections 1 and 2 of the by restraining trade and monopolizing interstate commerce in promotions. Federal courts ruled against the IBC in 1955 and 1957, confirming its monopolistic practices, and the U.S. affirmed the decision in 1959, mandating the club's dissolution and requiring Wirtz and Norris to divest their controlling interests in related organizations, including . The decree also limited arenas under their control to no more than two championship bouts per year for five years, effectively dismantling the IBC's structure by early 1959. Outside of boxing, Wirtz maintained minor involvement in other through his arena operations. He supported wrestling promotions at , granting exclusive booking rights to promoter , who staged regular events featuring top talent from the 1940s through the 1960s. In basketball, Wirtz demonstrated early interest prior to his direct ownership stake by leasing to professional teams, including the short-lived Chicago Zephyrs of the NBA in 1963, which helped sustain venue utilization during off-seasons. This groundwork culminated in his 1972 acquisition of a in the .

Personal life

Marriage and family

Arthur Wirtz married Virginia Louise Wadsworth in 1926, and the couple remained together until her death on December 28, 1982. Their partnership formed the foundation of a prominent Chicago family, blending personal life with the growing Wirtz business empire. The Wirtzes had four children: sons William Wadsworth Wirtz (known as Bill) and Arthur Michael Wirtz Jr., and daughters Cynthia Wirtz MacArthur and Elizabeth Wirtz. Bill, the eldest son, played a significant role in the family's professional endeavors, becoming president of the Chicago Blackhawks in 1966 following his father's leadership and later assuming the presidency of Wirtz Corporation in 1983. This succession highlighted the intergenerational ties between the Wirtz household and their sports and real estate holdings, with family members contributing to operational and strategic decisions.

Later years and death

In the early 1970s, Arthur Wirtz began relinquishing active management of his enterprises, including the Chicago Black Hawks, to his son William W. Wirtz, while retaining oversight of the and the hockey team from a more distant role. Despite attempts to retire fully during the decade, he occasionally intervened in struggling businesses, such as assuming the chairmanship of the bankrupt Chicago-Milwaukee Railroad in 1978. Wirtz's health deteriorated in the early 1980s following the death of his wife on December 28, 1982; he had been battling cancer for an extended period and entered Henrotin Hospital in shortly thereafter. He passed away on July 21, 1983, at the age of 82, after seven months of illness. Following his death, William W. Wirtz immediately succeeded his father as principal owner of the Chicago Black Hawks and assumed leadership of the family's sports holdings, ensuring a smooth short-term transition within the Wirtz Corporation's operations. The family provided support during his final illness, surrounding him in his hospital stay.

Recognition and legacy

Awards and honors

Arthur Wirtz was inducted into the in 1971 as a builder, honored for his pivotal role in expanding the National Hockey League through ownership of franchises and arena management that bolstered the sport's popularity in the United States. His leadership of the , culminating in the 1961 victory—the team's first in 23 years—underscored the achievements that contributed to his recognition in sports circles. Wirtz was also inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame for his enduring impact on Chicago's landscape, including hockey promotions and venue developments. In recognition of his promotional work, particularly with Norwegian figure skater , Wirtz received the Royal Order of St. Olaf from King of . Posthumously, in 1985, he was awarded the for outstanding service to hockey in the United States.

Influence on Chicago sports

Arthur Wirtz played a pivotal role in revitalizing , acquiring it in 1935 and transforming it into a multi-purpose venue that became a cornerstone of the city's sports and entertainment landscape. Under his ownership, the arena hosted the NHL's , the NBA's from 1967 onward, high-profile matches, and legendary concerts by artists such as and Led , creating a diverse revenue stream that sustained the local sports economy amid fluctuating attendance and economic challenges. This strategic diversification not only maximized the stadium's utilization but also fostered a vibrant cultural hub, generating employment and boosting tourism in for over six decades until its in 1995. Wirtz's contributions to NHL stability were rooted in innovative co-ownership models, particularly his 1930s partnership with James Norris, through which they acquired key arenas like and , alongside NHL franchises. This collaboration helped anchor the league during the Original Six era (1942–1967) by ensuring venue control, consistent scheduling, and financial viability for teams like the Blackhawks, which Wirtz and Norris jointly acquired in 1952 and which Wirtz fully owned following Norris's death in 1966, guiding it to a victory in 1961. His business acumen in integrating with sports operations exemplified a model that promoted league-wide resilience, influencing the professional structure of hockey in . The antitrust fallout from Wirtz's boxing promotions had profound implications for sports business ethics. As a principal in the International Boxing Club (IBC), Wirtz's group was found by the U.S. in 1959 to have violated the through monopolistic control over major bouts and venues, leading to the IBC's dissolution. This landmark ruling dismantled the monopoly, promoting competitive practices in sports promotion and establishing legal precedents that discouraged similar consolidations, thereby enhancing fairness and ethical standards in the industry. Wirtz's forward-thinking family succession model further cemented his legacy, as outlined in a trust that centralized authority within the to prevent disputes and ensure continuity for assets like the Blackhawks. This structure facilitated seamless leadership transitions across generations, including his son Bill's tenure and grandson Rocky's in 2007, and following Rocky's death in 2023, to Rocky's son as chairman, continuing to prioritize unified control. His 1971 induction into the as a builder highlights the enduring scope of these contributions to Chicago's infrastructure and culture.

References

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  2. https://www.nytimes.com/1983/07/22/obituaries/arthur-m-wirtz-team-owner-dies.html
  3. https://www.forbes.com/profile/wirtz/
  4. https://www.usfigureskating.org/news/article/ice-revues-and-hotel-shows-had-huge-impact-30s-and-40s
  5. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/09/27/bill-wirtz-1929-2007-2/
  6. https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/wirtz-corporation
  7. https://chicago.suntimes.com/2003/8/10/23813980/wirtzes-divorce-rocky-wirtz-kathy-lavish-lifestyle-charity
  8. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/12/18/norris-wirtz-resolution-near/
  9. https://www.bisnow.com/chicago/news/commercial-real-estate/five-chicago-real-estate-dynasties-49327
  10. https://www.chicagobusiness.com/sports/wirtz-timeline-lays-out-history-familys-wealth-wake-rockys-death
  11. https://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/wirtz-corporation-history/
  12. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/12/18/owner-of-hawks-loses-in-court/
  13. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/150/397/1466729/
  14. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/07/21/Arthur-Wirtz-long-time-owner-of-the-NHL-Chicago-Black/8341427608000/
  15. https://www.nytimes.com/1959/01/31/archives/grahampaige-pays-4000000-for-madison-sq-garden-control-acquires-40.html
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  22. https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/39658/james-d.-norris
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  24. https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/International_Boxing_Club
  25. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/08/07/big-bouts-back-thanks-to-wirtz/
  26. https://www.nytimes.com/1957/03/09/archives/international-boxing-club-guilty-of-monopoly-in-promotion-of-title.html
  27. https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/348/236/
  28. https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/358/242/
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  30. https://vault.si.com/vault/1959/02/09/things-will-not-be-the-same
  31. http://wrestlingclassics.com/.ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=009303;p=1
  32. https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/26/archives/bulls-owners-vote-to-sell-again.html
  33. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67796730/virginia-wirtz
  34. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3816674/bio/
  35. https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/november-2008/the-breakaway/
  36. https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20051015/ISSUE02/100024641/wirtz
  37. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11461302/arthur_m-wirtz
  38. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/07/21/Long-time-Chicago-Black-Hawks-owner-Arthur-Wirtz-died-Thursday/9491427608000/
  39. https://www.hhof.com/induction/yearbyyearrollcall.html
  40. https://chicagolandsportshalloffame.com/hall-of-famers/
  41. https://newspaperarchive.com/jacksonville-journal-courier-jul-22-1983-p-10/
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  44. https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/feature-the-origins-of-the-chicago-blackhawks
  45. https://vault.si.com/vault/1956/04/23/the-case-against-the-ibc
  46. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/07/28/hawks-a-cherished-wirtz-family-business/
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