Robert Schmertz
Encyclopedia
Robert Schmertz was an American
developer and sports franchise owner. He was owner or part-owner of two NBA franchises; the Portland Trail Blazers
from 1970 through 1972, and the Boston Celtics
from 1972 until 1975. He also owned the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association
, and the New York Stars of the now-defunct World Football League
. Schmertz also founded Leisure Technology, a developer of retirement communities
.
Schmertz attended Hackensack High School
, where he played center on the school's basketball team. The school inducted him into its Sports Hall of Fame in 1973.
In 1975, Schmertz was indicted by a New Jersey
grand jury on bribery
charges Schmertz pled innocent to the charges. In July of that year, he suffered a stroke
and died on July 24. Leisure Technology would become a major developer of retirement communities, but would go bankrupt
in 1991
Prior to his death in New York City
, Schmertz lived in Lakewood Township, New Jersey
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
developer and sports franchise owner. He was owner or part-owner of two NBA franchises; the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
from 1970 through 1972, and the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
from 1972 until 1975. He also owned the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
, and the New York Stars of the now-defunct World Football League
World Football League
The World Football League was a short-lived gridiron football league that played in 1974 and part of 1975. Although the league's proclaimed ambition was to bring American football onto a worldwide stage, the farthest the WFL reached was placing a team – the Hawaiians – in Honolulu, Hawaii. The...
. Schmertz also founded Leisure Technology, a developer of retirement communities
Retirement community
A retirement community, or active adult community, is a very broad, generic term that covers many varieties of housing for retirees and seniors - especially designed or geared for people who no longer work, or restricted to those over a certain age . It differs from a retirement home which is a...
.
Schmertz attended Hackensack High School
Hackensack High School
Hackensack High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Hackensack, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Hackensack Public Schools...
, where he played center on the school's basketball team. The school inducted him into its Sports Hall of Fame in 1973.
In 1975, Schmertz was indicted by a New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
grand jury on bribery
Bribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
charges Schmertz pled innocent to the charges. In July of that year, he suffered a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
and died on July 24. Leisure Technology would become a major developer of retirement communities, but would go bankrupt
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
in 1991
Prior to his death in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Schmertz lived in Lakewood Township, New Jersey
Lakewood Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 60,352 people, 19,876 households, and 13,356 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,431.8 people per square mile . There were 21,214 housing units at an average density of 854.8 per square mile...
.