a lot of the politicians i dealt with weren't necessarily big fans of abe pollin. some of the stuff i wrote about him, quoting politicians often, wasn't that flattering. so abe and i didn't always have, you know, a buddy-buddy relationship, but i thought he was always very honest whenever i dealt with him and willing to answer questions, and also, and i don't know how much you dealt with him, ivan, because you came to town much later, but i think people would tell you, abe would get in your face if he disagreed with you. he would tell you, i think you were wrong. here's why i think you were wrong. here's why i did what i did. and i always respected that. i've always had respect for people, who if they don't like what you say or something you write, they came up to you and say i disagree, and abe never had a problem doing that. >> mike, you got to know him, wrote a lot about him. take me back to the michael jordan situation. you broke that story about michael jordan being let go of his duties as the front office -- was abe-- >> well, i got a call-- >> -- happy with y

sports moguls and politicians joined everyday works at the verizon center to honor abe pollin. >> he walked comfortably with presidents and prime ministers and with people that were homeless. that's what everyone admired about him. >> reporter: ai pollin earned his fortune building housing which afforded the son of a russian immigrant the chance to indulge his greatest passion, by buying the washington bullets basketball team and later the washington capitals. he told the hockey team to ted in 1999 who remembered pollin wanting more than just money. >> he wanted to know that his baby was in good hands and that we shared the same view on how the team was a public trust and that it's a platform to give back to the community. >> he was more excited than anybody. he was -- i'll never forget the pictures of him in the locker room in seattle and the whole thing. he just totally loved it. >> reporter: but some would say pollin's construction of the verizon center for which he used his own money and not city funding was an even greater accomplishment. the center led the city's revitalization

earlier today at the funeral services for abe pollin. ted leonsis had these words about the wizards' owner. >> abe is a man of the people. i think you will really see that next week at verizon center where it will be open to the public. he walked very confidently will presidents and prime ministers and with people who were homeless. that's why people like me admire him so much. he was a connector to all society. he was a genuine authentic person. >> reporter: well said about as well as you can say it, i think. that's what people think about abe pollin, the man who helped anyone who needed an outstretched arm >> phil: as ted leonsis said, he felt comfortable, whether he was with presidents or the man on the street. >> steve: a moment of silence was observed here justprior to the start of tonight's game. as i mentionedderrier, it was also observed in orlando wednesday night when the heat and magic play, a day after mr. pollin passed away. uteudonis haslem, not there. the wizards crash the board and have it. wizards beginning to go on a 2- 2

abe pollin passed away at the age of 85.has been having health problems for the past several years. we welcome you watching from comcast news cast. >> we're going back to the arena. wizard's president, announcer expected to make the microphone. >> some of the people who knew mr. pollen the best will be giving their thoughts. we have one guy who used to work for abe pollin, he's with chick hernandez -- >> we always associate him with the basketball team, did bring the capitals. stuck with them. and losing money years. got them 14-straight playoff year. you remember some of the antedotes about him. one of the things that we would take for granted, he knew all of their names. >> not even did he know your name your children's name and your patient's name. i remember one summer the team had the marketing department had me go to abe's house. he came over and put his arm around me and said thank you for coming to my house. it was such a big deal for me. i remember the first time i was over there, we had just got back from sweden an