Abraham J. 'Abe' Pollin (1923-2009) was a prominent American real estate developer, philanthropist, and sports franchise owner based in the Washington metropolitan area. Born to Ukrainian Jewish immigrant parents in New York City, Pollin moved to Washington, D.C., as a child and built a successful career in construction and real estate starting in the post-World War II era. He founded the Pollin Construction Company in 1950, which grew into a major firm responsible for developing numerous commercial and residential properties in the region. Pollin's business acumen extended to sports ownership; in 1973, he purchased the Baltimore Bullets NBA franchise, relocating it to Washington in 1974 and renaming it the Wizards in 1997. He also acquired the Washington Capitals NHL team in 1974 and later the Washington Mystics WNBA team in 1998, becoming the longest-tenured owner in NBA history with 46 years of stewardship for his basketball franchise. Pollin's influence in Washington, D.C., was profound through his development of key venues like the Capital Centre (opened 1973) and the MCI Center (now Capital One Arena, opened 1997), which he personally financed and which revitalized downtown D.C. as a hub for entertainment and sports. A committed philanthropist with deep ties to the Jewish community, Pollin supported numerous initiatives, including the construction of the Capital Jewish Museum and contributions to Jewish education and welfare programs in the area. His financial partnerships included collaborations with investors like Shelton Zuckerman in real estate ventures. Pollin's legacy is marked by his role in fostering community development and sports culture, earning him accolades such as the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 2002 for his charitable efforts. Throughout his life, Pollin maintained a low-profile personal demeanor while wielding significant influence in business and civic circles. He passed away in 2009 at age 85, leaving behind a family foundation that continues his philanthropic work.