- Herman Sarkowsky
Herman Sarkowsky (born
June 9 1925 inGera ,Germany ) is aSeattle, Washington ,United States businessman, philanthropist,thoroughbred breeder, and former sports executive. He was a co-founder of twoPacific Northwest sports franchises, thePortland Trail Blazers and theSeattle Seahawks .Early life and career
Sarkowsky was born in Germany in 1925cite web|url=http://www.ntra.com/stats_bios.aspx?id=2226
title=Profile: Herman Sarkowsky
work=National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Official Website
publisher=National Thoroughbred Racing Association] |accessdate=2007-11-12] . A Jewcite web
url=http://www.uwmedicine.org/Global/AboutUWMedicine/BoardOfDirectors/Herman+Sarkowsky.htm
title=UW Medicine Board: Herman Sarkowsky|work=University of Washington School of Medicine, official site|publisher=University of Washington|accessdate=2007-11-12] , he and his family immigrated toNew York City in 1934 afterHitler came to power. The family moved toSeattle, Washington in 1937. A 1949 graduate of theUniversity of Washington , he entered the home building and construction trade the following year.Portland Trail Blazers
In 1970, an investment group consisting of Sarkowsky, Larry Weinberg of
Beverly Hills, California , andRobert Schmertz ofLakewood, New Jersey paid US$3.7 million and was awarded an expansion NBA franchise in the city ofPortland, Oregon . This team, soon to be named thePortland Trail Blazers , started play in November 1970. Sarkowsky was named president and managing partner of the team. His stake increased two years later when he bought out Schmertz, when the latter purchased theBoston Celtics . He reduced his stake in the team the next year, and sold the remainder of his stake in the Trail Blazers to Weinberg, who became managing partner in 1975.cite book|title=Pay Dirt: The Business of Professional Team Sports
authors=James P. Quirk, Rodney D. Fort|publisher=Princeton University Press |date=1992|accessdate=2007-11-12]eattle Seahawks
At the same time that Sarkowsky was owner of the Trail Blazers, he was also attempting to bring a football team to his adopted hometown of Seattle. In 1972, he and
Ned Skinner formed an organization called Seattle Professional Football, which was created to bring anNFL franchise to the city. A franchise was awarded to the city in June 1974. After the NFL made known its ownership terms (any ownership group must include one entity withcontrolling interest in the team), Sarkowsky entered into a partnership with theNordstrom family in which the Nordstroms would have a 51% stake. The NFL granted the Nordstrom/Sarkwosky consortium ownership of the new Seattle franchise, which would be christened the Seahawks, in December of that year.cite web
url=http://www.beckys-place.com/sarkowsky.html|title=Herman Sarkowsky|work=Norm Evans' Seahawks Report|date=1979-11-04|accessdate=2007-11-12] The Seahawks began play in 1976. Sarkowsky would sell his stake in the team in 1988.Horse racing
Sarkowsky's greatest sporting love is
thoroughbred racing . He got started in the sport in 1960, when he purchased a US$2000 claimer. He would later be an investor in Northwest Racing Associates, which would constructEmerald Downs , a racetrack inAuburn, Washington . Several horses he owned would have success in theBreeders Cup , including Phone Chatter, which won the 1993 Juvenile Fillies race, and Mr. Greeley, which placed in the 1995 Sprint.As of November 2007 , Sarkowsky owns 37 thoroughbreds, including 11 mares.Business and investmants
In addition to his investments in team sports and horse racing, Sarkowsky is one of the most successful builders and real estate developers in Seattle history. He developed the
Key Tower in Seattle, was a partner in theFrederick and Nelson department store chain, and founded the United Homes Corporation in the 1960s, which would become the largest homebuilder in the Seattle area at the time.As of November 2007 , Sarkowsky operates a private investment firm. He is a Lifetime Board Member of the National Association of Home Builders. He is presently a director ofHLTH Corporation . [cite web|url=http://www.hlth.com/our_board_of_directors.html
title=Our Board of Directors|work=HLTH Corporation official website|publisher=HLTH Corporation|accessdate=2007-11-12]Philanthropy
Sarkowksy has contributed to several philanthropic causes. He is a generous donor to the
University of Washington , his alma mater, and sits on the board of the UW School of Medicine. He also has served as a director of numerous charitable and cultural institutions, including the Seattle Foundation, the United Way, Seattle Repertory Theatre, theSeattle Symphony , and theSeattle Art Museum References
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