The Portland Trail Blazers unfortunately lost a legend on Wednesday afternoon as Harry Glickman passed away at the age of 96, the team announced. Glickman notably served as the founder of the Trail Blazers franchise in addition to being considered as one of the pioneers of professional sports in the state of Oregon.
When the NBA formally tapped the city of Portland for an expansion franchise in 1970, it was Glickman’s vision that ultimately sprouted the Blazers organization. Glickman became part of the team's original ownership group alongside Herman Sarkowsky, Larry Weinberg and Robert Schmertz while the trio paid the NBA an expansion fee of $3.7 million.
Glickman was then one of the shareholders that eventually sold the Trail Blazers to Paul Allen down the road in 1988.
We sadly mourn the loss of our team founder, Harry Glickman. https://t.co/OECbXgtD59 pic.twitter.com/EVJLlmpuKv
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) June 11, 2020
“The Trail Blazers have long been the beneficiary of Harry’s vision, generosity, and inspiration,” said Jody Allen, Chair of the Trail Blazers, via NBA.com. “As the team’s founder and first General Manager, his leadership was instrumental in igniting our city’s pride and passion for sports. I am grateful for Harry’s many contributions to the franchise over the years. He will be missed by many.”
A member of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, a recipient of the Portland First Citizen Award and the winner of countless other awards and honors throughout the years, Glickman is not only a Blazers legend but a legend of both Portland and Oregon on much larger scales. Glickman is survived by his wife, Joanne, son Marshall and daughters Jennifer and Lynn in addition to three grandchildren.
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