Israel advocate, Trail Blazers pioneer Larry Weinberg dies at 92
Real estate developer who started Portland basketball team remembered as a ‘true mensch’
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PORTLAND, Oregon — Larry Weinberg, one of the founders and original owners of the Portland Trail Blazers, has died. He was 92.
Weinberg’s death was announced Wednesday by the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee.
Weinberg was a veteran of World War II, a real estate developer and a pro-Israel activist.
“Larry was instrumental in ensuring that AIPAC had a regional presence throughout the country and in encouraging pro-Israel supporters to actively engage in the political process,” the group said in a statement.
Weinberg was one of three partners who got the Portland Trail Blazers started as an NBA expansion team in 1970 to the tune of $3.7 million.
Weinberg sold the team to the late Paul Allen in 1988 for $70 million.
In a tweet the Trail Blazers said the team “was saddened to hear of the passing of our original owner.”
We are saddened to hear of the passing of our original owner, Mr. Larry Weinberg, at the age of 92.
Our thoughts & prayers are with his loved ones. https://t.co/oIbIWlf8Ge pic.twitter.com/WiSjqULwTa
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 3, 2019
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden said via Twitter that Weinberg was “a true mensch…and like many, I will mourn his passing.”
The Times of Israel Community.