Jerry Reinsdorf
Jerry Reinsdorf assumed the position of Chairman of the Chicago Bulls on March 13, 1985, when he led the group that purchased controlling interest in the franchise ... Reinsdorf is also the Chairman of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox ... Reinsdorf’s two professional sports teams – the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox – now have delivered seven World Championship titles to the city of Chicago and its sports fans … during his tenure as Chairman of the Bulls, the team has captured six World Championships (1991-93, 1996-98) … Reinsdorf spearheaded construction of two major facilities for the Bulls – the United Center, home of the Bulls and the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks which opened for the 1994-1995 season and the Sheri L. Berto Center, a state-of-the-art training facility for the Bulls, which opened in 1992 … both Reinsdorf’s sports franchises have donated millions of dollars to causes in the Chicago community through a variety of efforts, including CharitaBulls and White Sox Charities … Reinsdorf has played a critical role in the development of the west side area surrounding the United Center … during the 1990’s CharitaBulls donated $4.5 million to construct the James Jordan Boy’s and Girls Club and Family Life Center, which was erected in memory of James Jordan, father of Bulls great Michael Jordan … the 4,000-square-foot facility located just two blocks from the United Center features a computer center, art studio, science lab, gym, dance and game room, classrooms and more … as part of its commitment to education, CharitaBulls donated $3.5 million to launch the Bulls Scholars Program … CharitaBulls has also donated over $1 million to a variety of Chicago Park District programs … through the new Chicago Bulls/Chicago White Sox Training Academy, which opened in 2001, Reinsdorf’s franchises promote sports to thousands of youths each year while instilling a love of the game in future fans … Reinsdorf was the 1997 recipient of the Order of Lincoln Award, and his many contributions to the community have been recognized by such organizations as Keshet, the Interfaith Organizing Project, American Academy of Achievement, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Trial Lawyers Club of Chicago, the Chicago Historical Society, the Chicago Jewish Sporting Hall of Fame, the National Jewish Sporting Hall of Fame and the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame … he was the recipient of the Chicago Park District’s 1990 Chicagoan of the Year Award, 1992 PUSH Bridgebuilder Award, National Italian-American Friendship Award, Northwestern University’s Award of Merit, the U.S. Air Force American Spirit Award and an honorary degree in humane letters from Illinois College … Reinsdorf was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1993 and the 1997 Mayor’s Medal of Honor … in 1998, he was honored with the Guardian of Children Award from the Jewish Council of Youth Services … as Chairman of the White Sox, he was instrumental in initiating Chicago White Sox Charities, the arm of the baseball organization that raises funds for cancer research, children’s and senior programs … Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities has twice conferred its Hallmark Award to Reinsdorf in recognition of his efforts … in addition to his sports interests, Reinsdorf is an attorney, a certified public accountant, a specialist in real estate securities, a registered mortgage underwriter and a certified review appraiser … in 1997 Reinsdorf completed employment as chairman of the board of a real estate investment firm he co-founded in the early 1970’s and sold to American Express … currently, he is a partner in Bojer Financial Ltd., a real estate investment company … he is a former member of the board of directors of Shearson Lehman Brothers, Inc., the Northwestern University Law School Alumni Association, LaSalle Bank, Equity Office Properties and numerous other corporations and charities … he is presently a Life Trustee of Northwestern University and in 2008 was appointed a Trustee of the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum … Reinsdorf was recently awarded the 2009 Sports Lawyers Award of Excellence … born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Feb. 25, 1936 … Reinsdorf graduated from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and earned a law degree from Northwestern University after moving to Chicago in 1957 … Reinsdorf and his wife, Martyl, have four children and eight grandchildren.