Where Are They Now: Herman Sarkowsky

[ABM]

Great read about one the Blazer forefathers from Seattle PI

He once owned the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Seahawks, supplying financial backing for the NBA team on a whim and for the NFL franchise out of civic duty.

While Paul Allen currently fulfills this role as an all-encompassing Northwest sports philanthropist, Herman Sarkowsky, another of Seattle's richest and most powerful men, drew up the blueprint.

Sarkowsky, 83, helped found these teams that, decades later, Allen diligently maintains.

All that was necessary to get into the high-stakes game of pro sports ownership was equal amounts money and guile.........................

I had NO idea concerning this not-so-little factoid:

He not so fondly recalls negotiating a predraft deal to make forward Bob McAdoo the first player selected in the 1972 NBA draft, only to grow outraged and walk away once McAdoo's agent suggested that Portland pay his percentage, forcing the Blazers to choose LaRue Martin, who was a bust.

 

[Shooter]

I had NO idea concerning this not-so-little factoid:

So a greedy agent changed the course of Trail Blazer history forever . . . ?