Ike Richman
Isaac Richman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, sports executive |
| Known for | Personal lawyer to Wilt Chamberlain; co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers (1963–1965) |
Isaac Richman (born July 5, 1913) was a prominent American attorney and sports executive, recognized for serving as the personal lawyer to NBA star Wilt Chamberlain and as a co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers from 1963 until his passing in 1965.
Biography
Richman entered the world in 1913 in Philadelphia. He completed his education at South Philadelphia High School, where he established a lifelong business connection with Irv Kosloff. Subsequently, he obtained degrees from both Temple University and its affiliated law school.
Practicing law in Philadelphia, Richman became known as Chamberlain's legal representative, successfully negotiating the player's inaugural contract with the Philadelphia Warriors. Chamberlain regarded him as akin to a "second father."
Following the relocation of the Philadelphia Warriors to San Francisco in 1962, Richman aimed to restore an NBA franchise to Philadelphia by purchasing the Syracuse Nationals. He persuaded Kosloff to contribute an investment ranging from $500,000 to $600,000, facilitating the team's move and rebranding as the 76ers. Richman took on the role of operational leader for the franchise.
When Chamberlain considered retirement due to salary disagreements, Richman—who owned half of the team—proposed transferring half of his ownership stake to Chamberlain, effectively granting him a 25% share upon retirement. This arrangement remained informal and was never officially enacted because of league regulations. Richman suffered a fatal heart attack during a 76ers game in Boston on December 3, 1965. After his death, Kosloff chose not to honor the informal ownership agreement with Chamberlain.
Personal life
Richman was father to two sons, Michael and David, and a daughter named Sybil. His grandson Ike Richman, born shortly after Isaac’s death, dedicated 29 years to public relations work with the Philadelphia 76ers.