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Werblin came from entry level to become the force of MCA. MCA developed many of the television programs that airred in the late 50s and early 60s. Sonny made and broke careers. Having conquered TV, Werblin was looking for another venture when he met a very drunk and frustrated Harry Wismer one night.
Wismer, who had been a millionaire, was struggling mightily as owner of the New York Titans. The NFL Giants has won titles in the 50s with stars like Frank Gifford and Sam Huff. The AFL Titans were poor competition and New Yorkers knew it. They stayed away from Titans games in droves. So much so that other AFL owners were helping Wismer carry the load by 1963.
Wismer had creditors hounding him and had declared bankruptcy. His Titans were on the block to pay debts.
On this night in '63, Werblin slurred insults at Werblin, calling him a 'kike'. Werblin, who was with his wife, very nearly drilled Wismer before he was led away.
Werblin had revenge on his mind when he bought the Titans for just one million dollars, financing it with racetrack friends from New Jersey, like future owner Leon Hess. Wismer lost the thing he treasured most, but the AFL was given a powerful new allie, one with deep ties to NBC. Soon the AFL had a TV contract.
Werblin, born on Saint Patrick's Day, gave the Jets his favorite color: green.
Werblin brought an entertainment perspective to the AFL and the Jets, and a sense of street smarts from his upbringing in Brooklyn. He paid well to get Weeb Ewbank to coach his new team. Ewbank, the former Baltimore Colts coach, had beaten the Giants. Several Colts came with him.
He gave the illusion of glamour and riches that allowed him to nab Matt Snell away from the Giants in their cross-town war. He knew a star would fill stadiums, draw fans, and produce money just as TV stars meant TV ratings and advertising revenue.
He found that star in Joe Namath. But he also drafted John Reaves just in case.
The coaches and players won the first Super Bowl, which came to be known as Super Bowl III, still perhaps the greatest of them all. But Werblin, the president of the team took a lot of credit. Hess and the other owners wanted a buyout, one way or the other. Werblin got a nice payoff as the other owners, led by Hess, took over.
Still, Mr. Show Business had his place in football history already assured. His Jets forced a merger between the NFL and the AFL, ushering in the modern NFL we know today.
One man made it happen. Sonny Werblin.
