Jack Bendat | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1925-05-06)6 May 1925 United States |
| Died | 17 February 2022(2022-02-17) (aged 96) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for | Owner of thePerth Wildcats andPerth Lynx |
Jack BendatAM (6 May 1925 – 17 February 2022) was an American-born Australian businessman most known for his ownership of thePerth Wildcats basketball team between 2007 and 2021. Previously involved in construction and media businesses with longtime business partnerKerry Stokes, Bendat was involved in philanthropic and sporting interests.
Bendat was born in the United States to aPolish-born father.[1] He served as a private in theUnited States Army duringWorld War II, including inPapua New Guinea.[2] He migrated with his family fromCalifornia toPerth,Western Australia, in 1966.[3]
Bendat, along with business partners,Kerry Stokes and Kevin Merifield, were involved in the development of shopping centres in Perth and regional Western Australia. His business accomplishments include building Bunbury Plaza, one of the first country shopping centres in Western Australia, and went on to work on development of 11 shopping centres around the state. He also established country media serviceGWN.[4] In December 1989, Bendat purchased radio station6KY fromWesgo.[5]
One of Bendat's major contributions has been the Bendat Family Comprehensive Cancer Centre at theSt John of God Subiaco Hospital. Bendat's contribution to the community was recognised as WA Citizen of the Year in 2002.[6] In 2006, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from theUniversity of Western Australia,[7] and in 2009 was appointed a Member of theOrder of Australia.[8][9]
Bendat bought thePerth Wildcats basketball club in 2007.[10][11] In his time as owner, the club won six NBL championships: 2009–10, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19 and 2019–20, and expanded significantly, drawing larger crowds to their new home court atPerth Arena. In April 2015, Bendat purchased the licence for the Perth WNBL team, the West Coast Waves and renamed them thePerth Lynx, and the following month, on his 90th Birthday, theWA Basketball Centre was renamed theBendat Basketball Centre in his honour.[12] He sold the Wildcats in July 2021.[13][14][15]
Bendat's father died in 2005 at 101 years old.[1]
Bendat was married to Eleanor until her death in 2018, at the age of 92.[16] They had two children. Their son, Paul, died of cancer in 2017.[17] Bendat died on 17 February 2022, at the age of 96.[1]
| Year | Financial Review Rich List | Forbes Australia's 50 Richest | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Net worth (A$) | Rank | Net worth (US$) | |
| 2014[18] | 70 | |||
| 2015 | ||||
| 2016 | ||||
| 2017 | ||||
| 2018[19] | 111 | $704 million | ||
| 2019[20] | 139 | $679 million | ||
| 2020[21] | 170 | $634 million | ||
| 2021[22] | 182 | $639 million | ||
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Icon | Description |
 | Has not changed from the previous year |
| Has increased from the previous year |
| Has decreased from the previous year |
American-born Dr Bendat died on February 17, just two months shy of his 97th birthday.
For service to the community through philanthropic contributions to a range of charitable and cultural organisations.
Bendat took a controlling stake in the club in 2006 when he purchased 70 per cent of the Wildcats and worked with Andrew Vlahov and Mack Hall. He then assumed full control in 2007 and lifted the club to an extraordinary era of success on and off the court.