Jack Bendat

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Jack Bendat

AM
Born (1925-05-06) 6 May 1925 (age 96)
United States
NationalityAustralian
Occupation
  • Businessman
  • Property developer
  • Philanthropist
Known forOwner of the Perth Wildcats and Perth Lynx

Jack Bendat AM (born 6 May 1925) is an American-born Australian businessman and owner of the Perth Wildcats basketball team. Previously involved in construction and media businesses with longtime business partner, Kerry Stokes, Bendat is now involved in philanthropic and sporting interests.

Early life[]

Jack Bendat was born in the United States and migrated with his family from California to Perth in 1966.[2]

Career[]

Bendat, along with business partners, Kerry Stokes and Kevin Merifield, were involved in the development of shopping centres in Perth and regional Western Australia.

Bendat's business accomplishments include building Bunbury Plaza, one of the first country shopping centres in Western Australia, and establishing country media service GWN (now GWN7). He went on to work on development of 11 shopping centres around Western Australia.[3]

Personal life[]

Bendat is a widower and his wife, Eleanor passed away in 2018, aged 92 years.[4] They had two children. Their son, Paul, died of cancer in 2017.[5]

Net worth[]

Year Financial Review
Rich List 		Forbes
Australia's 50 Richest
Rank Net worth (A$) Rank Net worth (US$)
2014[6] 70
2015
2016
2017
2018[7] 111 Increase $704 million Increase
2019[8] 139 Decrease $679 million Decrease
2020[9] 170 Decrease $634 million Decrease
2021[1] 182 Decrease $639 million Increase
Legend
Icon Description
Steady Has not changed from the previous year
Increase Has increased from the previous year
Decrease Has decreased from the previous year

Philanthropy[]

One of Bendat's major contributions has been the Bendat Family Comprehensive Cancer Centre at the St John of God Subiaco Hospital. Bendat's contribution to the community was recognised as WA Citizen of the Year in 2002.[10] Bendat was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009.[11][12]

Bendat bought the Perth Wildcats basketball club in 2007.[13][14] In his time as owner, the club has won five NBL championships: 2009–10, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2018–19, and expanded significantly, drawing larger crowds to their new home court at RAC Arena. In April 2015, Bendat purchased the licence for the Perth WNBL team, the West Coast Waves and renamed them the Perth Lynx, and the following month, on his 90th Birthday, the WA Basketball Centre was renamed the Bendat Basketball Centre in his honour.[15]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Bailey, Michael; Sprague, Julie-anne (27 May 2021). "The 200 richest people in Australia revealed". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  2. ^ Hutchison, Geoff (January 2012). "Who are you? Jack Bendat". Mornings with Geoff Hutchison (Interview). Interviewed by Geoff Hutchison. 720 ABC Perth. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Dr Bendat focuses on giving back to WA". Perth Wildcats. 25 January 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  4. ^ Robinson, Chris (12 October 2018). "Perth Wildcats mourn loss of Eleanor Bendat". Perth Now. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  5. ^ Mayne, Stephen (21 August 2017). "Vale Paul Bendat: anti-pokies activist, philanthropist, friend". Crikey. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  6. ^ "BRW Rich 200 list 2014: 70. Jack Bendat". BRW. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  7. ^ Stensholt, John, ed. (25 May 2018). "2018 AFR Rich List: Who are Australia's richest people?". The Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  8. ^ Bailey, Michael (30 May 2019). "Australia's 200 richest people revealed". The Australian Financial Review. Nine Publishing. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  9. ^ Bailey, Michael; Sprague, Julie-anne (30 October 2020). "The full list: Australia's wealthiest 200 revealed". The Australian Financial Review. Nine Publishing. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  10. ^ Butler, Steve (28 March 2013). "Bendat builds big red army". The West Australian. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  11. ^ "Member of the Order of Australia (AM) entry for Dr Jack Bendet". It's an Honour, Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 8 June 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2019. For service to the community through philanthropic contributions to a range of charitable and cultural organisations.
  12. ^ Clarke, Tim; Sonti, Chalpat (8 June 2009). "48 WA residents honoured". WA Today. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  13. ^ Stensholt, John (31 March 2014). "Wildcats: a slam dunk for Jack Bendat at 89". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  14. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (22 July 2020). "Jack Bendat looking to sell NBL powerhouse Perth Wildcats". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 21 June 2021. 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.
  15. ^ Robinson, Chris (6 May 2015). "Bendat Basketball Centre the new name for WA's main facility, named after Jack Bendat". PerthNow. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
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