Philanthropist, Entrepreneur Barry Ackerly Passes Away
Entrepreneur, philanthropist and former Seattle SuperSonics owner Barry Allan Ackerley died today at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, two days after suffering a stroke, his family announced. He was 76.
The former chairman and chief executive of The Ackerley Group died early this morning with his family at his side, according to a spokesman.
A statement released on behalf of his wife Ginger said: “We are going to miss the great love and support of our husband, father and grandfather. He was larger than life and was a man of great integrity, humor and generosity. Above all else, he always put family first. We are grateful that the illness that he battled bravely for so many years is now in the past, and he is at peace with our Lord.”
Born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1934, the University of Iowa graduate began his career in media and entertainment in advertising sales for Better Homes & Garden magazine in New York.
In 1963, Ackerley joined Stoner Outdoor Advertising and was asked by the owners two years later to launch and operate Advan, a new outdoor advertising company in Fresno and Bakersfield.
After building Advan into a successful company, Ackerley founded Golden West Outdoor with operations in Sacramento and Colorado Springs, Colo.
Ackerley ran that company until 1972, when friend and outdoor advertising colleague Karl Eller called and asked him to run his national sales office for Combined Communications, an outdoor and broadcast media company based in New York.
In 1975, Ackerley purchased Obie Media in Seattle, which was later renamed The Ackerley Group Inc. At the time of its sale to Clear Channel Communications Inc. in 2001, the media and entertainment company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and owned television, radio and outdoor advertising in six states and more than 20 markets.
In 1983, Ackerley purchased the SuperSonics to ensure the team remained in Seattle. Over the next 18 years, the team was arguably the region’s most successful professional sports franchise.
During his tenure, the team made 13 playoff appearances, which included four Pacific Division titles and the 1996 Western Conference championship. The SuperSonics lost that year’s NBA Finals to the Chicago Bulls.
Ackerley was one of the first sports owners to broadcast games on both radio and television stations that he owned.
Ackerley sold the SuperSonics to an investment group led by Starbucks Corp. founder Howard Schultz in 2001, reportedly for $200 million.
The Ackerley Group and the Ginger and Barry Ackerley Foundation have contributed to nonprofit organizations throughout the nation.
