Ben Berger
American sports businessman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benjamin N. Berger (1897 – February 9, 1988) was a Minneapolis businessman, perhaps best known for being one of the original owners of the Minneapolis Lakers which he bought from Detroit helped move to Minneapolis.
1897
Ben Berger | |
|---|---|
Ben Berger speaking at the National Jewish Fund Dinner in 1967 | |
| Born | Benjamin N. Berger 1897 |
| Died | February 9, 1988 (aged 91) Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Occupation | Sports entertainment executive |
| Known for | Owner of the Minnesota Lakers (later Los Angeles Lakers) |
| Spouse | Mildred Berger |
| Children | 1 |
Biography
Berger was born in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, Congress Poland and moved to the United States at age 16 in 1913 settling in Fargo, North Dakota.[1] He became a U.S. citizen while serving in World War I.[1] In 1921, he purchased his first movie house in Grand Forks, North Dakota which evolved into a chain of 19 theaters.[1] In 1944, he bought Schiek's Cafe, a popular local nightclub.[1]
In 1947, he along with Morris Chalfen bought the Detroit Gems of the National Basketball League (NBL). They relocated and renamed the team the Minneapolis Lakers.[2][3] He co-owned the team until 1957. During those years the Lakers won six league titles (1 NBL and 5 BAA/NBA). They sold the team in 1957.
In the late 1950s, Berger was the owner and president of the minor league hockey team, the Minneapolis Millers.[1]
His wife was Mildred Berger.[4]
Mimi Ajzenstadt is the Mildred and Benjamin Berger Chair in Criminology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.[5]
Death
In February 1988, Berger suffered a stroke and died a week later at Mount Sinai Hospital in Minneapolis.[4]
