 The company shortly thereafter expanded into liquor distribution.The company grew significantly throughout the 20th century by purchasing many competing liquor distributors, as well as the Chicago Blackhawks NHL team (becoming full owners in 1966), and the Chicago Bulls NBA team in 1972 (Wirtz Corp. sold the Bulls to Jerry Reinsdorf in 1985).Wirtz Corporation is part owner of the United Center arena, and also owns banking and insurance interests.