William Modell first became involved in Modell's Sporting Goods, a family business, after World War II.[1] The store had been founded in 1889 by Modell's Hungarian immigrant grandfather, Morris Modell, who opened the first store on Cortlandt Street in Lower Manhattan.[1] Modell's Sporting Goods grew rapidly after World War I by stocking up on leftover army surplus and selling it at low prices.[1]
William Modell became chairman of the company in 1985, but had effectively run the company with his father, Henry Modell, who was chairman of the Modell's, since 1963.[1] His expansion strategy for the company involved buying locations from faltering rivals in the sporting goods business. For example, under Modell the company paid $2.5 million for fifteen locations from bankrupt rival, Herman's World of Sporting Goods in 1996.[1] This acquisition expanded the number of Modell's Sporting Goods stores from 52 to 67 stores and increased the company's presence in New Jersey and the Baltimore-Washington D.C. areas.[1]
As of 2008, the company now has 136 retail locations in eight states, with a 2007 annual revenue of approximately $635 million.[1]
Personal life
In 1949, Modell married Shelby Zaldin.[2] They had three children: a daughter, Leslie Modell; and two sons, Mitchell, the current CEO of the Modell's Sporting Goods, and Michael, who suffered from Crohn's disease, an inflammation of the digestive tract. Michael died in 2001.[1] He was a resident of Hewlett Harbor, New York.[1]
William Modell died in Manhattan on February 14, 2008, of complications from prostate cancer at the age of 86.[1]
References
^ abcdefghijklmnoHevesi, Dennis (February 15, 2008). "William D. Modell, Seller of Sporting Goods, Is Dead at 86". The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
^ abNew York Daily News: "Retail icon, William Modell, dies at 86" February 15, 2008
External links
Boston Globe: William Modell; expanded sporting goods chain
Modell's Sporting Goods Official site
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America
January 07, 2023
william, modell, william, modell, 1921, february, 2008, american, businessman, chaired, modell, sporting, goods, retail, chain, william, modellbornmay, 1921manhattan, york, city, york, diedfebruary, 2008, 2008, aged, york, city, york, nationalityamericaneducat. William D Modell May 13 1921 February 14 2008 was an American businessman who chaired the Modell s Sporting Goods retail chain 1 William D ModellBornMay 13 1921Manhattan New York City New York U S DiedFebruary 14 2008 2008 02 14 aged 86 New York City New York U S NationalityAmericanEducationB A New York UniversityOccupationbusinessmanKnown forChair of the Modell s Sporting Goods Contents 1 Early life 2 Modell s Sporting Goods 3 Personal life 4 Death 5 References 6 External linksEarly life EditModell was born on May 13 1921 1 to a Jewish family 2 He grew up in the Manhattan Beach neighborhood of Brooklyn New York before attending New York University 1 He enlisted in the United States Army during World War II 1 Modell s Sporting Goods EditWilliam Modell first became involved in Modell s Sporting Goods a family business after World War II 1 The store had been founded in 1889 by Modell s Hungarian immigrant grandfather Morris Modell who opened the first store on Cortlandt Street in Lower Manhattan 1 Modell s Sporting Goods grew rapidly after World War I by stocking up on leftover army surplus and selling it at low prices 1 William Modell became chairman of the company in 1985 but had effectively run the company with his father Henry Modell who was chairman of the Modell s since 1963 1 His expansion strategy for the company involved buying locations from faltering rivals in the sporting goods business For example under Modell the company paid 2 5 million for fifteen locations from bankrupt rival Herman s World of Sporting Goods in 1996 1 This acquisition expanded the number of Modell s Sporting Goods stores from 52 to 67 stores and increased the company s presence in New Jersey and the Baltimore Washington D C areas 1 As of 2008 the company now has 136 retail locations in eight states with a 2007 annual revenue of approximately 635 million 1 Personal life EditIn 1949 Modell married Shelby Zaldin 2 They had three children a daughter Leslie Modell and two sons Mitchell the current CEO of the Modell s Sporting Goods and Michael who suffered from Crohn s disease an inflammation of the digestive tract Michael died in 2001 1 He was a resident of Hewlett Harbor New York 1 In 1967 Modell founded the Crohn s and Colitis Foundation of America 1 a non profit volunteer driven organization dedicated to finding cures for Crohn s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the quality of life of its victims Death EditWilliam Modell died in Manhattan on February 14 2008 of complications from prostate cancer at the age of 86 1 References Edit a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Hevesi Dennis February 15 2008 William D Modell Seller of Sporting Goods Is Dead at 86 The New York Times Retrieved March 7 2008 a b New York Daily News Retail icon William Modell dies at 86 February 15 2008External links EditBoston Globe William Modell expanded sporting goods chain Modell s Sporting Goods Official site Crohn s and Colitis Foundation of America Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Modell amp oldid 1055028496, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
