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

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

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