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* Governor Pritzker at today’s bill signing…
I’ve known Rocky Wirtz for 25 years, I believe. Every day, this man showed his heart to people. I’m not talking about the leadership of the Blackhawks, which those of us who are fans are so proud of the work that he did to win our championships. I’m talking about the man who cared deeply about people all across the city, all across the state.
In fact, all across the country, Blackhawks Charities and the efforts that they made were an impetus of Rocky Wirtz. And he was a person that you could call up and he would try to help in anything that you asked him to do. Anything, anything.
When you think of big, powerful people in business, you often don’t remember that there are people who made it to that exalted height in their careers who brought with them a caring for people that aren’t just up there enjoying the treasures of having made it, but who bring with them the people that they know are most in need.
Rocky Wirtz was somebody who cared about those people and he demonstrated it in so many ways. And I can just tell you on a personal level, no better friend that you can have.
* Sun-Times…
Formally, he was W. Rockwell Wirtz.
But he was always just Rocky, a name that fit both for its common-man connotation and the sense that he could be tough when the occasion demanded it.
Rocky Wirtz was the third-generation leader of his family’s businesses. Most Chicagoans knew Mr. Wirtz as the owner of the Chicago Blackhawks, and he enjoyed the role to the hilt, often chatting with fans in the stands instead of sequestering himself in a skybox. […]
Mr. Wirtz, 70, died Tuesday at NorthShore Evanston Hospital following a brief illness. He was surrounded by his wife, Marilyn, and his four children, according to a statement from Wirtz Corp. Friends say he had been experiencing stomach pains for a while, but he thought the symptoms would resolve themselves. […]
Along with his businesses, Mr. Wirtz leaves a long legacy of support for Chicago, including the activities of the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation. He also won city support in recent weeks for a land deal that allowed the Blackhawks to build a community ice arena and practice facility on the West Side.
* Crain’s…
“Our hearts are very heavy today,” Rocky’s son, Danny Wirtz, CEO of the Blackhawks, said in the statement. “Our dad was a passionate businessman committed to making Chicago a great place to live, work and visit, but his true love was for his family and close friends. He was a loving father, a devoted husband to Marilyn, a brother, a nephew, an uncle and a doting grandfather to his six remarkable grandchildren. His passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of many and we will miss him terribly.”
Wirtz’s death will reverberate through the Chicago sports, business and philanthropic communities, where he has been a high-profile figure for years.
Wirtz’s legacy may be most clearly defined by the resurgence of the Blackhawks after the death of his father, Bill. Inheriting a historic franchise that had alienated fans and had languishing ticket sales and sponsorships, Rocky hired new business leadership for the franchise and put its local games back on television, which combined with a rare mix of young talent and success on the ice to turn the Blackhawks into one of the biggest business success stories in professional sports.
* Tribune…
By 2009, just a year and a half after Bill Wirtz’s death, the Hawks were back in the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
Forbes Magazine dubbed the Hawks’ revitalization the “Greatest Sports-Business Turnaround Ever” in 2009. […]
In May 2021, former prospect Kyle Beach sued the team, alleging negligence over a claim former video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted him. In October of that year, law firm Jenner & Block released its finding after investigating Beach’s claims. The firm found that Hawks upper management — including McDonough, Stan Bowman, Kevin Cheveldayoff and coach Joel Quenneville — failed to act on Beach’s sexual assault claim until after the championship was secured.
Wirtz said he was unaware of the 2010 allegations until the lawsuit was filed in 2021.
* ABC Chicago…
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement on Wirtz’s passing, saying in part, “Devoted to family and the Chicago Blackhawks, Rocky was a native son of Chicago and an accomplished businessman. Rocky took over control of the Blackhawks in 2007 and almost immediately restored the passion and following of the storied, Original Six, franchise…The NHL sends its sincere condolences to Rocky’s wife Marilyn, his children Danny, Kendall and Hillary, Marilyn’s daughter Elizabeth, and their six grandchildren. He will be missed terribly.”
“Rocky Wirtz was a champion in every sense of the word - in family, in business, in sports ownership, and most important, in life,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in a statement. “From his stalwart leadership of the Wirtz Corporation and multitude of corporate ventures, to the Blackhawks’ miracle run of three Stanley Cup champions in six seasons, he exemplified class and excellence at every turn.” […]
White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf released a statement, saying in part, “This is just shocking news, and I am personally devastated. Rocky truly was a great man. We were far more than partners at the United Center. We were very close; he was a dear friend and our trust, our bond, was unbreakable.”
* WGN…
Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson had this statement following Wirtz’s death on Tuesday.
“Rocky Wirtz was a champion in every sense of the word — in family, in business, in sports ownership, and most important, in life. From his stalwart leadership of the Wirtz Corporation and multitude of corporate ventures, to the Blackhawks’ miracle run of three Stanley Cup champions in six seasons, he exemplified class and excellence at every turn.
As successful as he was as a chairman and owner, however, he was an even greater man, giving a United Center security officer or parking attendant the same amount of respect he would offer a fellow magnate or CEO. That is who Rocky Wirtz was, and he will be dearly missed.
My heart is with the Wirtz family, his colleagues and the entire Blackhawks organization during this difficult time. This is a sad day, and a tremendous loss for our city.”
* More…
* Block Club | Chicago Blackhawks Owner Rocky Wirtz Dies At 70: The Wirtz family has owned the Blackhawks since 1954 when Arthur Wirtz, Rocky Wirtz’ grandfather, bought the team, according to a team bio. His father, Bill Wirtz, oversaw the team from 1983 until his death in 2007.
* WGN | Tributes pour in for late Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz: “On behalf of the Chicago Cubs, our thoughts and prayers are with the Wirtz family during this difficult time. After taking over as owner of the Blackhawks in 2007, Rocky turned the organization into a premier franchise, winning three Stanley Cups and creating wonderful memories for hockey fans both in Chicago and all over the world.”
* NYT | Rocky Wirtz, Chairman of N.H.L.’s Chicago Blackhawks, Dies at 70: Today, the family’s businesses, through the Wirtz Corporation, include real estate, insurance, banking, beverage distribution and sports and entertainment. Rocky Wirtz had been the president of the corporation and the chairman of team since 2007, having assumed the roles after the death of his father, William.
* NBC Sports | Patrick Kane releases statement on passing of Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz:“Not only was Rocky Wirtz a great man and humble to the core, he was extremely loyal and generous to everyone, but especially to us players,” Kane wrote. “He always made sure everything was first class for us. That mattered to him, just like winning and just like his family. My sympathy to his wife Marilyn, to his son Danny, and the entire Wirtz and Blackhawks family.”
posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, Jul 26, 23 @ 11:18 am
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There is no doubt that Bill Wirtz’s death and Rocky’s assumption of operations changed the trajectory of the Blackhawks in a truly unthinkable direction, to a point where last year’s intentionally lousy team still drew better crowds than Dollar Bill’s “Worst franchise in North American pro sports” days, and winning the draft lottery led to an immediate spike in season ticket deposits.
There is also no doubt that Rocky was, at bare minimum, content to not know the abusive work culture he oversaw in name if it meant full coffers and his name being hammered into the silver of the Stanley Cup. And that he felt any consequences for that abuse were not the problem of his family, and certainly not of himself, to the point where he launched into an embarrassing public tirade that ended up being his last word on anything until his passing.
As a hockey fan, I will never forget and will always appreciate that glorious, dynastic era. As a human being, I still value other things more than trophies and banners.
Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Jul 26, 23 @ 11:49 am
Well said.
Comment by Jerry Wednesday, Jul 26, 23 @ 1:32 pm
The tweet by Brenden Moore encapsulated the death of Rocky Wirtz…
…and I defer the rest of my comment to - Roadrager -.
Condolences to the family and friends of Rocky Wirtz during this time.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 26, 23 @ 1:37 pm
Mark Lazerus with the Athletic wrote a great piece on Rocky.
“Rocky Wirtz saved the Chicago Blackhawks. Then he nearly destroyed them.
How do you distill a legacy marked by such extremes?”
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Wednesday, Jul 26, 23 @ 1:45 pm
Second everything Roadrager said. They absolutely nailed it
Comment by SweetLou86 Wednesday, Jul 26, 23 @ 6:41 pm