Wednesday, 04 December 2024

    Max Winter

    • Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2024
    • Max Winter
    • Sport(s): Basketball & Football Owner
    • Statistics: 5 NBA Championships (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953 & 1954)
    • Max Winter was brought into the consortium that became the first ownership group of the Minneapolis Lakers, and Winter was installed as their first general manager. Winter's Lakers won five NBA Championships, and Minneapolis was the first professional basketball dynasty. As good as Winter did, he decided to step down in 1955 and focus his energy on bringing a football team to Minneapolis.

      Winter was unable at first to get an NFL team, but he did have an agreement in principle for an AFL team when they were set to start operation in 1960. The NFL then came back to Winter, and he recanted from the AFL, and the Vikings were born.

      Winter owned the team until 1985 and was on the board of directors until he died in 1989. The Vikings did not win a Super Bowl while Winter was alive, but they made it to the big game four times. Minneapolis would have gotten football with or without Winter, but his work made sure they got it earlier and with sound ownership.

      We are proud to nominate Max Winter for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.
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