The Rochester Rhinos entered a new era on Thursday, as local real estate developers, and minority owners of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, David and Wendy Dworkin were unveiled as the club’s new owners.
“We are delighted to welcome David and Wendy Dworkin as owners of the Rochester Rhinos, one of the most historic clubs in the USL’s history,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “Their strong ties to the local community make them the perfect people to lead the Rhinos forward, and we are excited to see them take the club to new heights in 2016 and beyond.”
The league was contacted in January by Mr. and Mrs. Dworkin regarding their interest in purchasing the team. In the two months that followed, the USL and Mr. and Mrs. Dworkin have worked together to secure a new lease at what will now be called Rhinos Stadium, with the new owners already in the process of making more than $1 million of renovations and upgrades to the stadium.
“The league has been extraordinary,” said Mr. Dworkin. “The USL’s leadership has been accessible around the clock as we moved toward this agreement, and we are delighted to take ownership of one of the great clubs in the modern history of soccer in the United States. Rochester has been a wonderful city for Wendy and I, and we are looking forward to great success on and off the field for the Rhinos in the future.”
Residents of Rochester for more than 20 years, David and Wendy Dworkin have become highly respected members of the city and state’s business community. The Managing Partner of LLD Enterprises and a partner in JADD Management, David Dworkin received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University in 1991, and in 1995 he received a Masters of Science Degree in Real Estate from New York University. A former winner of the New York State Commercial Realtor of Year award, Mr. Dworkin was a charter member and past State President of the New York State Commercial Association of Realtors and was the Founding President of its Rochester Area Chapter, a position he held for three years.
In 2006 Mr. Dworkin received a two-year New York State legislative appointment to serve as a member of the New York Board of Real Estate and was reappointed every two years thereafter. Mr. Dworkin is also a member of the board of Greater Rochester Enterprise, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to companies looking to move to the region.
A third-generation native of Rochester, N.Y., Wendy Dworkin is a Partner in LLD Enterprises, and earned a Juris Doctorate from Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University after earning a bachelor’s degree at Syracuse University.
Mrs. Dworkin also was recognized in the Rochester Business Journal’s 40 under 40 in 2002, and in addition to her work for LLD Enterprises, serves on the Board of Trustees of the Rochester Museum and Science Center and is a former Co-Chair and founding board member of the Young Leaders Club of the United Way of Greater Rochester Inc. and currently serves on the United Way’s Woman's Leadership Committee.
