About the Bullets/Wizards

The Beginning

In 1964, Abe Pollin and two partners purchased the NBA's Baltimore Bullets for a then-record $1.1 million. Four years later he became the team's sole owner. Twenty-six years ago, Pollin moved his NBA team to the Washington- originally in Chicago -area and applied for a NHL team. In the time since then, Pollin has seen his teams flourish.

1978

Pollin is the longest-tenured owner in the NBA and has been at the center of every major issue in the NBA during his time at the helm of the Washington Bullets/Wizards. In 1978, Pollin reached the pinnacle of the NBA as his Bullets, behind the play of Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes, and Bob Dandridge, defeated Seattle and brought a World Championship to Washington.

Wizards Indentity

After 36 seasons of professional basketball, the Wizards introduced new logos and colors to accomodate the change of the team's nickname, as the team tipped off the 1997-98 season as the Washington Wizards. The new Wizards logos, created by the National Basketball Association, in collaboration with Nike, contain three vibrant colors: blue, black, bronze. The color blend represents energy that the basketball club brings to life.

Stadiums

Pollin's first arena, the Capital Centre (now US Airways Arena), opened on December 2, 1973, it was what MCI Center is today- a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility that became the standard for new arenas throughout the world. The Capital Centre was built in record 15 months and boasted a host of unique features including one-of-a-kind luxury suite accommodations and the never-seen-before Telescreen. In keeping with 24-year tradition of innovation established by his US Airways Arena in Landover, Maryland, Pollin opened the state-of-the art MCI Center on December 2, 1997. The building is home to the Washington Wizards, the NHL's Washington Capitals, WNBA Washington Mystics plus big time-time entertainment, cultural, and sporting events.

The Owner

The sports industry is full of astute businessmen, but what distinguishes Abe Pollin from his peers is his commitment to social responsibility. He possesses a passionate need to give back to the community and has made helping people a way of life. His philanthropic and humanitarian endeavors know no basis or boundaries, which is evident by the numerous public service and community organizations that he selflessly devotes himself to.

The Wizards

The Washington Wizards are one of 29 teams in the National Basketball Association. In the brackets, the Wizards are one of seven teams in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.