Wikipedia

Rocky Wirtz

William Rockwell"Rocky"Wirtz(October 5, 1952 – July 25, 2023) was an American businessman. He was the principal owner and chairman of theChicago Blackhawksof theNational Hockey League.He was also president of the Blackhawks' parent company, theWirtz Corporation,a diversified conglomerate headquartered inChicago.Under Wirtz's leadership, the Chicago Blackhawks won three Stanley Cups between 2010 and 2015, reversing a period of declining fan interest and on-ice performance.[2]He oversaw Wirtz Corporation's commercial and residential real estate companies, wine and spirits distributor Breakthru Beverage Group, an insurance company, and banks inIllinoisandFlorida.Wirtz was also half-owner of the Blackhawks' home arena, theUnited Center,along withChicago BullsownerJerry Reinsdorf.He and Reinsdorf were co-chairmen of the arena's Executive Committee.

Rocky Wirtz
Wirtz in June 2015
Born
William Rockwell Wirtz

(1952-10-05)October 5, 1952[1]
Chicago,Illinois,U.S.
DiedJuly 25, 2023(2023-07-25)(aged 70)
Evanston, Illinois,U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma materNorthwestern University(B.S.)
Occupation(s)Chairman of theChicago Blackhawks
President ofWirtz Corporation
Co-chairman of Breakthru Beverage Group
Spouses
Kathleen Wirtz
​
(div.2003)​
Marilyn Wirtz
​
(m.2003)​
Children3, includingDanny Wirtz

Education

edit

Wirtz graduated fromNorth Shore Country Day SchoolinWinnetka, Illinoisin 1971.[3]In 1975, he graduated fromNorthwestern Universitywith a degree in Communications.

Breakthru Beverage Group

edit

Wirtz's grandfatherArthur Wirtzbought the family's first liquor distributorship in 1945.[4]Wirtz grew up in the liquor business and assumed control of Wirtz Beverage Group in 2007.[5]In recognition of his many contributions to and leadership in the beverage industry, the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America honored Wirtz with a Lifetime Leadership Award in 2014.[6]In 2014, Wirtz Beverage expanded outside the U.S. announcing it was taking over as the exclusive Canadian distributor forDiageobeer, wine and spirits brands.[7]The company was the first nationally established beverage alcohol broker in Canada.[8]

In 2015, Wirtz merged the $2.5 billion alcohol-distribution business with Charmer Sunbelt Group to create Breakthru Beverage Group.[8]Today, Breakthru is one of North America's leading distributors of wine, spirits and beer brands with more than $6 billion in annual revenue and operations throughout the U.S. and Canada. At the time of his death, Wirtz served as co-chairman of Breakthru Beverage Group.[9]His son Danny Wirtz plays a large role in the Breakthru's executive leadership as Vice Chairman, also serving on the company's Board of Directors and Operating Committee.[10]

Ownership of the Blackhawks

edit

Rocky Wirtz inherited the Blackhawks upon the death of his father, William "Dollar Bill"Bill Wirtz,in 2007, becoming only the fifth principal owner in the franchise's 81-year history. His grandfather,Arthur Wirtz,bought a stake in the Blackhawks in 1950, acquiring outright ownership in 1966 and selling a stake to Bill, who inherited full ownership upon Arthur's death in 1983. Rocky's younger brother, Peter, initially inherited the team following Bill's death in 2007. Peter previously served as at Blackhawks vice president. He intended to uphold many of his father's long-standing policies. However, Peter was uninterested in owning the Blackhawks, and instead allowed Rocky to assume control of the team.[11]

The Blackhawks franchise faced both financial challenges and on-ice struggles. Over the decade preceding Wirtz's leadership, the team incurred losses approaching $191 million and managed to qualify for the playoffs only once during that span. This period sawESPNdubbing the Blackhawks as the worst franchise in professional sports. Wirtz recalls a dire financial predicament where the team found itself unable to cover its own payroll obligations prior to the2007–08 NHL season.He was forced to borrow money from other companies within theWirtz Corporationto keep the franchise afloat.[11]Almost immediately after becoming the new owner, Wirtz altered many of his father's policies, which many fans saw as anachronistic. According to a source within the Hawks organization, Wirtz "believes in spending money to make money," in marked contrast to his father's frugal management style.[12]

Wirtz stated in an interview that he would keepDale Tallonas Blackhawksgeneral managerandDenis Savardashead coach.He also affirmed at the time thatBob Pulfordwould remain as the team's senior vice president, but later reassigned him to Blackhawks liaison on NHL affairs.[12][13](Savard would be fired as head coach just four games into the 2008–09 season and replaced byJoel Quenneville.[14])

On October 22, 2007, Wirtz announced the team negotiated with Comcast SportsNet Chicago (now known asNBC Sports Chicago,of which he was part-owner) to televise home games. This was another break from his father's management style, where games were previously unavailable on television unless they were nationally televised. That season, they began to show seven home games, with Wirtz citing pre-existing agreements Comcast had with other programming as a reason why the remaining 2007–08 home schedule could not air locally. Wirtz hired formerChicago Cubsteam president John McDonough, to become the new president of the team.[15]Many believed that McDonough's presence, along with the young talent on the roster, would improve the team's marketing ability and reverse a long drought in popularity. This became evident when the team ranked 1st in the NHL for attendance in 2008–09[16]while making it to the Western Conference Finals. The team also hosted theDetroit Red Wingsin the2009 NHL Winter ClassicatWrigley Fieldthat season.

Former star playersBobby HullandStan Mikita,who were not on good terms with the elder Wirtz, returned to the team in the role of "ambassadors".[17]A big step showing this reconciliation was when the Blackhawks celebrated Hull and Mikita together at the United Center on March 7, 2008. While most of Wirtz's changes had positive results, one decision that was met with skepticism was lessening the use of the United Center'sorganin favor of more prerecorded current music to attract new, younger fans. This ended up being a blessing in disguise as the team's new goal song, "Chelsea Dagger",became a song other teams loved to hate.[18]

The Blackhawks did not take long to turn around under the younger Wirtz's stewardship. After missing the playoffs for six straight seasons (and seven of the last eight), the team enjoyed a resurgence in 2009. Having built the team around a core ofPatrick Kane,Patrick Sharp,Jonathan Toews,Duncan KeithandBrent Seabrook,the Blackhawks recorded their first 100-point season in 16 years. They defeated theCalgary Flamesand theVancouver Canucksin the first two rounds before bowing out to the defendingStanley Cupchampion Red Wings in the Western Conference Final.[19]

In the2010 Stanley Cup playoffs,the Blackhawks defeated theNashville Predators,Vancouver CanucksandSan Jose Sharksto advance to their first Stanley Cup Finals since1992.They faced thePhiladelphia Flyersin the Stanley Cup Finals and won the Stanley Cup in six games on June 9, 2010. This was the first Stanley Cup for the Blackhawks since 1961, thus ending the second longest Stanley Cup drought in the history of the NHL.[20]

Wirtz and PresidentBarack Obamain 2013.

In the2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs,the Blackhawks eliminated theMinnesota Wild,Detroit Red Wings, and 2012 Stanley Cup ChampionLos Angeles Kingsto reach the Finals. There they defeated the 2011 Stanley Cup ChampionBoston Bruinsin six games, giving the Blackhawks a second championship in four seasons. This marked the first game between Western and Eastern Conference teams all season due to the2012–13 NHL lockout-shortened season. This also marked the first time since1979for an allOriginal SixCup Final. Shortly after this championship, Wirtz and John McDonough, president and CEO of the Blackhawks, took out a full-page ad in theBoston Globethanking the city of Boston for respect and sportsmanship during the Cup Finals and praising their recovery from theBoston Marathon bombing.[21]

In the2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs,the Blackhawks eliminated the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, andAnaheim Ducksto reach the Finals. There, they defeated theTampa Bay Lightningin six games, giving the Blackhawks a third championship in six seasons. It also allowed them to win the Cup on home ice for the first time since 1938.[22]

Prior to the2021–22 NHL season,former prospectKyle Beachalleged he was sexually assaulted by a member of the Blackhawks' coaching staff in2010.[23]The Blackhawks conducted an internal investigation. Multiple executives and coaches on the team, includingStan Bowman,Joel Quenneville, andAl MacIsaacwere aware of Beach's allegations in 2010, but failed to properly report the issue to the police.[23]The report also states that Wirtz was not aware of the allegations at the time.[23]The Blackhawks and Beach ultimately reached an out-of-court settlement.[23]On February 2, 2022, Wirtz became agitated and responded harshly when asked about the incident during a town hall session with fans and reporters. He later apologized for his remarks.[24]

Personal life and death

edit

Wirtz and his wife Marilyn resided in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Wirtz had three children, includingDanny,from a previous marriage, along with a stepdaughter from his second marriage and six grandchildren.[25]

Wirtz died at a hospital inEvanston, Illinois,on July 25, 2023, at the age of 70.[26][2]

Awards and honors

edit
  • Three-time Stanley Cup Champion (as owner of the Chicago Blackhawks)
  • 2014 Wine and Spirits of America Lifetime Achievement Award[27]
  • 2010 Chicago Innovation Awards Visionary Award

References

edit
  1. ^Hawley, Larry; Runge, Erik (July 25, 2023)."Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz dies at 70".WGN-TV.RetrievedAugust 4,2023.
  2. ^ab"Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz dies at the age of 70".ESPN.July 26, 2023.RetrievedJuly 25,2023.
  3. ^"Q&A with Rocky Wirtz: Carrying on proud family tradition".highbeam.com.Archived fromthe originalon June 11, 2014.
  4. ^"Wirtz family".Forbes.
  5. ^Campbell, Morgan (March 3, 2014)."Chicago's Wirtz family expands into Canada".The Toronto Star.
  6. ^"WSWA 71st Annual Convention & Exposition Concludes in Las Vegas | Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America".Archived fromthe originalon August 10, 2020.RetrievedMay 1,2020.
  7. ^Furnari, Chris (September 10, 2018)."Breakthru Beverage to Invest $9.2 Million in Canadian Cannabis Producer".Brewbound.com.
  8. ^ab"Wirtz Beverage merges with larger New York rival".Crain's Chicago Business.October 19, 2015.
  9. ^"Blackhawks Owner Rocky Wirtz to Merge His Alcohol Distribution Business with Rival".Bloomberg.October 20, 2015.
  10. ^"Booze, not Blackhawks, built Wirtz wealth; grandson helps lead evolving firm".Chicago Tribune.
  11. ^abSmith, Bryan (November 16, 2008)."The Breakaway: Chicago Blackhawks Owner Rocky Wirtz".Chicago Magazine.RetrievedAugust 10,2023.
  12. ^abSassone, Tim (October 5, 2007)."Culture shock hits Hawks".The Daily Herald.Archived fromthe originalon October 11, 2007.
  13. ^"Blackhawks reassign senior VP Pulford".Canadian Press.October 11, 2007.
  14. ^"Blackhawks fire Savard, make Quenneville new coach".TSN.ca.RetrievedOctober 16,2008.
  15. ^"John McDonough resigns as President of the Chicago Cubs".mlb.com.
  16. ^"NHL Attendance Report – 2008-09".ESPN.RetrievedMay 30,2022.
  17. ^"Hull and Mikita revel in ambassador roles for revived Blackhawks franchise".[dead link‍]
  18. ^"Blackhawks score with catchy tune 'Chelsea Dagger'".Chicago Sun-Times.May 13, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon May 16, 2009.
  19. ^"Patrick Kane Gamelogs for Playoff Games 1 to 16".Hockey Reference.February 20, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 20,2017.
  20. ^Kuc, Chris (June 9, 2016)."June 9, 2010: Blackhawks beat Flyers to win Stanley Cup".Chicago Tribune.Archivedfrom the original on May 27, 2019.RetrievedJune 9,2016.
  21. ^Pickell, Jack (June 28, 2013)."Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks take out full-page Globe ad to thank Bruins, City of Boston".Boston.com.Last accessed June 28, 2013.
  22. ^Belson, Ken (June 16, 2015)."With Blackhawks' 3 Stanley Cups in 6 Years, Chicago Runneth Over".The New York Times.RetrievedJune 16,2015.
  23. ^abcd"Chicago Blackhawks, Kyle Beach reach settlement on lawsuit".ESPN.Associated Press. December 15, 2021.RetrievedDecember 16,2021.
  24. ^"Blackhawks Owner Rocky Wirtz Apologizes for Angry Response to Kyle Beach Questions".Sports Illustrated.Associated Press. February 3, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 3,2022.
  25. ^"PAGE BY PAGE REPORT DISPLAY FOR 201704059052017335 (Page 1489 of 1662)".
  26. ^Pope, Ben (July 25, 2023)."Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz dies at 70".Chicago Sun Times.
  27. ^"Rocky Wirtz Bio".nhl.com.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rocky_Wirtz&oldid=1256481913"