Jack Bendat

Jack Bendat (born 6 May 1925) is an American-born Australian businessman and owner of the Perth Wildcats basketball team. He was previously involved in construction and media businesses with longtime partner Kerry Stokes, but 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.

Career

Bendat, along with partners Kerry Stokes and Kevin Merifield, were involved in the development of shopping centres in Perth and regional Western Australia. Bendat appeared at #70 on BRW's 2014 Rich List.

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.

Personal life

Bendat is married and has two children.

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. Bendat was also made a member of the Order of Australia in 2009.

Sporting Interests

Bendat bought the Perth Wildcats basketball club in 2007. In his time as owner, the club has won four NBL championships: 2009–10, 2013–14 and 2015–16, 2016-17 and expanded significantly, drawing larger crowds to their new home court at Perth Arena. In April 2015, Bendat purchased the licence for the Perth WNBL team in 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.