Vale Jack Bendat

The Perth Wildcats are mourning the passing of former owner and chairman Dr Jack Bendat AM, who has passed away at the age of 96.
 
Dr Bendat saved the Perth Wildcats from financial uncertainty in 2006, purchasing the iconic organisation and becoming its Chairman.
 
In the years to follow, Dr Bendat oversaw the most successful era in the club’s history, as it went on to win six championships from 2010 to 2020.
 
Off the court, he used the Perth Wildcats as a vehicle for his generous passion of philanthropy, turning the organisation’s focus to community engagement.
 
The Bendat family remained private owners of the Perth Wildcats until 2021.
 
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack “ said Perth Wildcats CEO Troy Georgiu.
 
“While Jack demanded success on the court, his greater priority was for the club to make a positive impact on the West Australian community – particularly on school children in lower socio-economic areas.
 
“He used the profile of players to motivate students to improve literacy and numeracy while reducing truancy. He also saw the club’s brand an as an opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle to the community. He was adored by the Red Army and nothing filled him with greater joy than seeing RAC Arena full of 13,000 fans wearing red and cheering the Wildcats on to victory.
 
“Jack’s impact on this organisation is immeasurable and his legacy ongoing. We are forever grateful for what he has done for basketball in Western Australia.”
 
Jack Bendat moved to Australia from California with his wife Eleanor and two children in 1966 and, despite not knowing a single person, loved it so much he called Perth home for the rest of his life.
 
The passionate businessman developed several shopping centres including WA’s first regional shopping centre in Bunbury.
 
Despite having no history in media, he played a major role in developing television networks and radio stations in WA, including the Golden West Network (now GWN7) and 96fm – one of Australia’s first FM stations.
 
Dr Bendat always believed in the mantra passed on by his own father: “If you make, you have to give back”. 
 
Over the years he has made significant contributions to causes in Western Australia including in the fields of cancer research, arts, youth and Indigenous affairs.
 
His influence on WA basketball went beyond the Wildcats, purchasing and rebuilding Perth’s WNBL team, the Perth Lynx, and investing in community basketball through becoming a naming right’s partner of the Bendat Basketball Centre in Floreat
 
Jack Bendat lost his wife of 72 years in 2018, and his son Paul in 2017.
 
The Perth Wildcats offer their sincere condolences to the Bendat family and thank him for his incredible contribution to the organisation’s immense legacy.