CHICAGO – Several Chicago professional sports teams are mourning the death of a longtime leader this week.
Andrew McKenna, part owner of the Chicago Bears and a member of the team’s board of directors, died at the age of 93 on Tuesday, the NFL team announced.
A native of Chicago, he also served as chairman of the Cubs & White Sox during a career that included serving as chairman of McDonald’s.
“This afternoon we lost a friend of our family and Bears of over 40 years. Few people have had a greater impact on our great city,” said Bears chairman George McCaskey of McKenna. “Andy has dedicated his life to institutions in sports, media, museums, academia, healthcare and more, sharing his ideas and leadership. His leadership has helped us make sound business decisions, most recently with the selection of Kevin Warren as our next President and CEO.
“We are grateful for his many contributions to the Bears and his wisdom will be missed. Our prayers are with his family.”
McKenna was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and DePaul University College of Law and began his career in sports managing a baseball team in Michigan City, Indiana that was part of the Midwest League.
In 1975, McKenna was part of a group with Bill Vick that bought the Chicago White Sox and served as chairman of the franchise until it was sold in 1981.
After that, the executive drove across town and became chairman of the board for the Cubs after they were acquired by the Tribune Company. McKenna held that position with the club from 1981 through early 1985, including the Cubs’ 1984 Eastern Division championship, the team’s first playoff appearance since 1945.
“As one of Chicago’s most dynamic and influential business leaders, Andy is the only person to have ever served as team chairman for both the Cubs and the White Sox. Andy’s success with the Cubs included helping guide the team to the 1984 NL East title, the club’s first playoff appearance since 1945, bringing joy to generations of Cubs fans, the Cubs said in a statement Wednesday morning. “In addition to his many contributions and accomplishments in Chicago sports, Andy, a lifelong resident of Chicago, has also dedicated his life to service and leadership in Chicago’s civic and philanthropic community, giving his time to several boards and causes, as well as the countless people he has mentored . years.
“He will be missed, but his impact in this city will be felt by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”
Most recently, McKenna served as chairman of McDonald’s from 2004 to 2016, after which he served as chairman emeritus.
https://wgntv.com/sports/bears-report/andrew-mckenna-part-owner-of-bears-former-cubs-white-sox-chairman-dies-at-93/
