Dick Oland Klein (September 16, 1920 – October 10, 2000) was an
American athlete and businessman who founded the
National Basketball Association's
Chicago Bulls in 1966. He continued to serve as the team’s first
general manager and later worked as a
scout for the
Phoenix Suns.
Background
Born in
Fort Madison, Iowa, Klein played basketball at
Northwestern University during the late 1930s and early 1940s. At 6’3” and 200 pounds, he was one of the
Big Ten Conference’s best scorers and rebounders, and received
All-American honors during his sophomore year.Hirsley, Michael. “Dick Klein, Bulls founder and CEO, dies at 80”.
Chicago Tribune. October 12, 2000. p. 7. Klein’s collegiate career was cut short when he joined the
United States Navy, but he continued to play basketball with the Navy’s
Great Lakes Blue Jackets, who traveled throughout the United States raising money for the
Navy Relief Society.
From 1945 to 1946, Klein played professionally for the
National Basketball League's
Chicago American Gears. He also dabbled in
minor league baseball, spending one summer as a pitcher in the
Cleveland Indians' farm system.Sachare, Alex.
The Chicago Bulls Encyclopedia. Chicago: Contemporary, 1999. p. 155. Once his playing days were over, he moved to the
Chicago suburbs and embarked on a highly successful career distributing promotional items to banks and other companies.
Founding of the Chicago Bulls
The late...
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