Jack Bendat

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.

Jack Bendat

AM
Born (1925-05-06) 6 May 1925
United States
NationalityAustralian
Occupation
  • Businessman
  • Property developer
  • Philanthropist
Known forOwner of the Perth Wildcats and Perth Lynx
Net worthA$634 million (AFR 2020)[1]

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 married and has two children.

Personal wealth
Year Financial Review
Rich List		 Forbes
Australia's 50 Richest
Rank Net worth (A$) Rank Net worth (US$)
2014[4] 70
2015
2016
2017
2018[5] 111 $704 million
2019[6] 139 $679 million
2020[1] 170 $634 million
Legend
Icon Description
Has not changed from the previous year
Has increased from the previous year
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.[7] Bendat was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009.[8][9]

Bendat bought the Perth Wildcats basketball club in 2007.[10] 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.[11]

References
  1. 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.
  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. "BRW Rich 200 list 2014: 70. Jack Bendat". BRW. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  5. Stensholt, John, ed. (25 May 2018). "2018 AFR Rich List: Who are Australia's richest people?". The Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  6. Bailey, Michael (30 May 2019). "Australia's 200 richest people revealed". The Australian Financial Review. Nine Publishing. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  7. Butler, Steve (28 March 2013). "Bendat builds big red army". The West Australian. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  8. "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.
  9. Clarke, Tim; Sonti, Chalpat (8 June 2009). "48 WA residents honoured". WA Today. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  10. "Wildcats: a slam dunk for Jack Bendat at 89". Australian Financial Review. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2015.(subscription required)
  11. 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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