American real estate mogul Bernard “Bernie” Glieberman, known for bailing out the flailing Ottawa Rough Riders in the early 1990’s, has died, his family says.
He was 84.
Glieberman was a significant figure in Michigan real estate, having profoundly reshaped the industry and was known as a visionary in urban development, according to his obituary.
Glieberman and his son Lonie were best known in Canada as the owners of the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1991 to 1993 during a tumultuous time for the team.
While the Rough Riders had been successful throughout the 1960’s and 70’s, it struggled both performance-wise and financially by the time the Gliebermans took over the helm of the team.
During his time as owner, Glieberman threatened to move the team to the United States and eventually split the franchise into an expansion team known as the Shreveport Pirates.
The American expansion team only lasted two seasons.
The Gliebermans left the capital in 1993, while the Rough …