Was sorry to hear last night that the local media giant, and former, greatest owner the oklahoma %*@##** EVER had passed away Yesterday. Mr Ackerley was the owner of our Seattle Supersonics through all but 2 (1978-1979)of their best years. Transitioned us from Bob Blackburn to Kevin Collabro, and unfortunately sold the team for less money than others were offering (since Mr Ackerley figured that a local owner would keep the team in Seattle) to that arse that owns coffee shops I will never spend my money at
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/03/21/ex-sonics-owner-barry-ackerley-dies.htmlBarry Ackerley, who owned the Seattle SuperSonics NBA team for 18 years and presided over one of Seattle's most prominent media companies, died Monday in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He was 76.
The Ackerley Group owned tens of thousands of billboards, plus TV and radio stations in six states, at the time of its 2001 sale to Clear Channel Communications for $495 million in stock.
But Ackerley was probably best known in the Puget Sound area for his ownership of one of the area's most successful professional sports franchises, the Sonics. He bought the NBA team in 1983, and the team made 13 playoff appearances under his ownership. Ackerley was one of the first sports owners to broadcast games on both radio and TV stations that he owned.
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, and a graduate of the University of Iowa, Ackerley began his media career working on ad sales for Better Homes & Gardens magazine in New York. In 1983, he joined Stoner Outdoor Advertising and launched his career in the billboard business that would lead to his 1975 purchase of Obie Media in Seattle, which was later renamed The Ackerley Group Inc. and listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
A family spokesman said Ackerley died early Monday morning after suffering a stroke on Saturday. Survivors include his wife Ginger Ackerley.
Read more: Ex-Sonics owner Barry Ackerley dies | Puget Sound Business Journal
