Robert Swados
Born(1919-02-27)February 27, 1919
DiedNovember 23, 2012(2012-11-23) (aged 93)
NationalityAmerican
Known forFounder of the Buffalo Sabres

Robert Orville Swados (February 27, 1919 – November 23, 2012) was an attorney and businessman from Buffalo, New York, best known for his involvement as an attorney for the US/Canadian National Hockey League and being one of the founders of the Buffalo Sabres.[1]

Career

Along with Seymour H. Knox III and Northrup R. Knox, he was a partner in Niagara Frontier Hockey, the original consortium that founded the Buffalo Sabres. The consortium (later joined by George Strawbridge) sold the team in 1996. Swados was an alumnus of the State University of New York at Buffalo and Harvard Law School.[2] He served in the United States Army during World War II, fighting on the front lines in the European theatre during that war.[2]

Swados was part of a group that attempted to form the Continental League, a baseball major league, in 1960, but failed before it started.[1]

In addition to his duties as the Sabres' vice chairman, he also served as the secretary to the NHL's Board of Governors and as the general counsel to the league.[2]

Outside of hockey, he was a partner in the Cohen Swados law firm, which specialized in corporate, tax and sports law before its disbanding in 2001.

Swados was the Chairman of the Hall of Fame for the Sabres.[3][4]

Swados' autobiography, Counsel in the Crease, was published in 2005.

Personal life

Swados was married to poet and actress Sylvia Maisel,[5] with whom he fathered two children, Lincoln and Elizabeth. Elizabeth Swados is known for her contributions to musical theatre.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b "MLB returns to Buffalo for first time in 105 years: Exploring the city's rich baseball history". CBSSports.com. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  2. ^ a b c Warner, Gene (23 November 2012). "Robert O. Swados, who helped bring the Sabres to Buffalo, is dead at 93". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  3. ^ Vogl, John. "After years of inactivity, the Sabres Hall of Fame has now slipped away". The Athletic. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  4. ^ Reporter, Mike Harrington News Sports (2 May 2021). "Inside the NHL: Ryan Miller memories abound after retirement announcement". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  5. ^ a b Grimes, William (2016-01-06). "Elizabeth Swados, Creator of Socially Conscious Musicals, Is Dead at 64". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
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