William “Rocky” Wirtz, the principal owner and chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks, died on Tuesday. He was 70.
The team did not reveal a cause of death.
Wirtz was the fifth principal owner in the Blackhawks’ storied history, inheriting the team from father Bill Wirtz upon the elder Wirtz’s death in 2007.
The Blackhawks won three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013, 2015) under Rocky Wirtz’s ownership, though the franchise has since fallen on harder times on the ice and dealt with controversies off it.
Wirtz was criticized for comments made during a “town hall” meeting in February 2022 about a team sexual-assault scandal that had come to light months earlier. He had not spoken publicly since March 2022, when the Blackhawks introduced Kyle Davidson as their general manager.
“Our hearts are very heavy today,” Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz, Rocky Wirtz’s son, said in a statement. “Our dad was a passionate businessman committed to making Chicago a great place to live, work and visit, but his true love was for his family and close friends. He was a loving father, a devoted husband to Marilyn, a brother, a nephew, an uncle and a doting grandfather to his six remarkable grandchildren. His passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of many and we will miss him terribly.”
Chicago White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said of Rocky Wirtz’s passing in a statement, “This is just shocking news, and I am personally devastated. Rocky truly was a great man. We were far more than partners at the United Center. We were very close; he was a dear friend and our trust, our bond, was unbreakable. We never had a disagreement or argument during all of our many years together.
“Everyone liked Rocky. He was smart, passionate, generous, personable and friendly. He cared deeply about the Blackhawks, the people who worked for the team and at the United Center, Blackhawks fans and the city of Chicago. He was so very proud of the Stanley Cup Championships and what those trophies meant to the organization, the city and the fans.”
–Field Level Media
