Barry Shenkarow is a former owner of the Winnipeg Jets, a professional ice hockey team that played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1979 to 1996. Shenkarow was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in 1942, and he grew up playing hockey in the city's minor leagues. After graduating from the University of Manitoba with a degree in commerce, Shenkarow worked in the family business, which was involved in real estate development and construction.
In the early 1980s, Shenkarow became interested in owning a professional sports team, and he began exploring the possibility of purchasing the Winnipeg Jets. In 1985, he succeeded in acquiring the team, which was struggling financially at the time. Shenkarow worked to turn the Jets around, investing in new players and improving the team's facilities. Under his ownership, the Jets made the playoffs several times and had some successful seasons.
However, Shenkarow's tenure as owner of the Jets was not without controversy. In the early 1990s, he became embroiled in a dispute with the city of Winnipeg over the team's arena, which was in need of major renovations. Shenkarow argued that the city should contribute to the cost of the renovations, while city officials maintained that the team should pay for them. The dispute dragged on for several years, and in 1995, Shenkarow announced that he was moving the Jets to Phoenix, Arizona, where they would become the Phoenix Coyotes.
Shenkarow's decision to move the Jets was met with anger and disappointment by many Winnipeg residents, who felt that he had betrayed the city and its hockey fans. However, Shenkarow maintained that he had no choice but to move the team, as he could not continue to operate it in Winnipeg without a new arena. He also argued that the move would be good for the NHL, as it would help the league expand into new markets.
After selling the Jets, Shenkarow remained involved in the business world, serving on the boards of several companies and organizations. He also continued to be involved in hockey, serving as a member of the NHL's Board of Governors and as chairman of the league's Finance Committee. Despite the controversy surrounding his ownership of the Jets, Shenkarow is remembered by many as a passionate and dedicated owner who worked hard to make the team successful.
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