Chicago Zephyrs Team History

The team’s original nickname was a nod to Chicago’s meatpacking industry; their home arena, the International Amphitheater, was next door to the Union Stock Yards. However, it was extremely unpopular since it was the same nickname used by the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, bitter rivals of the Chicago Bears. After only one year, the organization changed its name to the Chicago Zephyrs.

Established
1961

City
Chicago – Baltimore – Washington D.C.

League History
1961 – Present / National Basketball Association

Team History
1997 – Present / Washington Wizards
1974 – 1997 / Washington Bullets
1973 – 1974 / Capital Bullets
1963 – 1973 / Baltimore Bullets
1962 – 1963 / Chicago Zephyrs
1961 – 1962 / Chicago Packers

Nickname
Zephyrs – A Zephyr is a westerly wind and Chicago is known as the windy city.

Championship
NBA Championships  0
1978

Arena
2007 – Present / Verizon Center
   1997 – 2006 / MCI Center
1994 – 1997 / US Airways Arena
1973 – 1993 / Capital Centre

*Baltimore*
1963 – 1973 / Baltimore Civic Center

*Chicago*
1962 – 1963 / Chicago Coliseum
1961 – 1962 / International Amphitheatre

Owner
2010 – Present / Ted Leonsis
2009 – 2010 / Estate of Abe Pollin and Ted Leonsis
1999 – 2009 / Abe Pollin and Ted Leonsis
1964 – 1999 / Abe Pollin
1961 – 1964 / David Trager