“A true pioneer in the world of sports, Nick was not only a leader; he was a dreamer who made that dream a reality for countless Cleveland fans. Nick Mileti changed the course of Cleveland sports history, and his passion and commitment will be deeply missed.” This is the message posted last night by the Cavaliers after thedeath announcement Nick Mileti died at the age of 93.
The son of Sicilian immigrants, he had established himself as one of the city's leading figures, and more specifically in Cleveland sports, after purchasing a minor league hockey team, the Cleveland Barons, and the Cleveland Arena in 1968. The wheels were set in motion, and in 1970, he and local investors decided to create an NBA franchise in Cleveland by selling shares of the team, the Cavaliers, at $5 each in order to raise $2.25 million and cover the $3.7 million expansion costs.
An NBA champion ring
In 1972, he acquired a controlling interest in the baseball franchise, then called the Indians, as part of a group that included future U.S. Senator Howard Metzenbaum. He then helped oversee the construction of Richfield Coliseum, where the Cavs would play from 1974 to 1994. That same year, he bought a hockey franchise in Calgary, moved it to Cleveland, and renamed it the Crusaders.
Inducted into the Cavaliers Hall of Fame in 2019 – as part of the team's 50th anniversary celebration – he was presented with an NBA championship ring after winning the title in 2016.
