Rocky Wirtz | |
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Born | William Rockwell Wirtz October 5, 1952[1] |
Died | July 25, 2023 Evanston, Illinois, U.S. | (aged 70)
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Northwestern University (B.S.) |
Occupation(s) | Chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks President of Wirtz Corporation Co-chairman of Breakthru Beverage Group |
Spouses | Kathleen Wirtz (div. 2003)Marilyn Wirtz (m. 2003) |
Children | 3, including Danny Wirtz |
William Rockwell "Rocky" Wirtz (October 5, 1952 – July 25, 2023) was an American businessman. He was the principal owner and chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. He was also president of the Blackhawks' parent company, the Wirtz Corporation, a diversified conglomerate headquartered in Chicago. 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 in Illinois and Florida. Wirtz was also half-owner of the Blackhawks' home arena, the United Center, along with Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf. He and Reinsdorf were co-chairmen of the arena's Executive Committee.