Edward P. Roski Jr. (born 1938) is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is a billionaire, president of Majestic Realty, and appeared at #115 on the Forbes 400 in 2021,[1] and owns more than 83 million square feet of real estate across the United States, as a business park developer through his company.[1][2] Roski has served as its president since 1994, and previously as the executive vice-president and chief operating officer, from 1978 to 1994.[3] He is a partial owner of the Los Angeles Kings, and the Los Angeles Lakers, and owns the Silverton Las Vegas.[4] He is also a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War and art collector.
In 2000, General James L. Jones and the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation honored Roski with its Semper Fidelis award.[8][9] In 2007, Roski founded the Land of the Free Foundation to support war veterans and families, and he has contributed more than $10 million to its efforts.[8][10][11] In October 2017, Roski earned the Circle of Honor Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.[11][12][13]
Professional sports teams
Roski became a minority owner of the Los Angeles Kings in 1995 and a minority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1998.[12][14][15] Roski and Philip Anschutz were majority owners of the Los Angeles Arena Company, looking to replace the Great Western Forum for the Kings, and exercised an option to buy 25% of the Lakers, with the Lakers agreeing to become a tenant in the planned arena.[16] During his minority ownership, the Lakers won NBA Championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010 and 2020;[15] and the Kings won the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014.[14]
Roski has served as Chairman and a trustee on the University of Southern California board of directors. In 2006, he and his wife donated $23 million for its fine arts school, since renamed the USC Roski School of Art and Design.[8][20][21] In 2016, Roski and his wife donated $25 million to the eye institute at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.[1][21][22] Roski set up the Majestic Realty Foundation in 2002, a community outreach program focusing on youth, family, education, health and violence prevention.[11] The foundation makes grants of over $2 million annually.[5]
Personal life
Roski was married to Gayle Garner Roski until her death on October 21, 2020.[23] They had three children,[5] and resided in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles.[12][17]