and was quickly promoted to higher positions, soon becoming one of the company’s highest executives. In 1986, Mannie Jackson helped to found the Executive Leadership Council, which was a group of African American corporate executives from various industries that would interact and build strong ties with one another. In 1993, when the Harlem Globetrotters’ popularity was beginning to decline, and the team was nearly bankrupt, Jackson purchased the team for $5.5 million. In order to regain the team's fans, Jackson replaced many of the older players for younger ones, and placed a new focus on skilled showmanship. This move proved successful, helping the Harlem Globetrotters to regain its status as one of America's favorite teams. Under Jackson's watch, the Globetrotters experienced an average annual revenue growth rate of 14 percent over 14 years. Over time, Jackson bought out the other investors. By 2006, when the team was sold it was valued at $100 million. Jackson remained non-executive chairman until 2011, and continues to hold a 20 percent stake. Jackson said, "Fifteen years is a long time to run, and I ran hard for 15 years." Jackson is currently married to his wife Cathy, and has two daughters and a son. Awards 2010 - Inducted as a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. 2010 - Awarded the Order of Lincoln (the State's highest honor) by the Governor of Illinois in the area of Sports. Honors Basketball 1959 - Honorable Mention All-Big Ten 1960 - 2nd Team All-Big Ten 1960 - Team Captain 1960 - Honorable Mention All-American 1973 - Inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame as a player. 2008 - Honored as one of the thirty-three honored jerseys which hang in the State Farm Center to show regard for being the most decorated basketball players in the University of Illinois' history. 2017 - Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2017 - Inducted into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Legacy The Mannie Jackson Basketball's Human Spirit Award is given annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to an individual who has found the game of basketball to be a contributing aspect to their personal growth and accomplishment, a place to develop an understanding of others, and an avenue that helped shape that individual's growth into a recognized visionary and leader. References 1939 births Living people Basketball players from Illinois Harlem Globetrotters