Winter Dies; Founded Vikings and Ran Minneapolis Lakers

Max Winter, who ran the Minneapolis Lakers and founded the Minnesota Vikings, died Friday night after a long illness. He was 93.

Under his guidance, the Lakers became the NBA’s first dominant franchise and Vikings became the first NFL team to reach four Super Bowls.

“Max was the foundation of the Vikings,” team vice president Jeff Diamond said.

Born in the Austrian village of Mahrishostrau, Winter came to the United States when his family emigrated in 1913.

Winter became a fight manager and promoter, owned a Twin Cities restaurant and promoted games for the Harlem Globetrotters.

When Ben Berger and Morris Chaffen bought the Lakers of the old National Basketball League in 1947, Winter was hired as general manager. Winter ran the entire operation and also had a financial interest in the franchise.

Led by George Mikan and Jim Pollard, the Lakers won titles in the NBL in 1948 and Basketball Assn. of America in 1949 before the leagues merged to form the NBA.

Winter acquired Vern Mikkelson to give the Lakers basketball’s first dominant front line and the Lakers completed their sweep of three titles in three leagues by winning the 1950 title. Bud Grant, who would later coach the Vikings, was also a member of the team.

After losing to Rochester in the 1951 semifinals, the Lakers won three consecutive NBA titles, giving them six titles in seven seasons. Winter resigned after the 1954-55 season and sold his stock in the team to Mikan.