Washington, DC -- (Sports Network) - Washington sports pioneer Abe Pollin, who at one time owned the NBA's Wizards, the NHL's Capitals and the WNBA's Mystics, passed away Tuesday at the age of 85.

Pollin was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease several years ago, corticobasal degeneration or (CBD), although details of his passing have yet to emerge.

Along with his wife Irene, Pollin began ownership of the Bullets/Wizards franchise in 1964 as part of Washington Sports & Entertainment Limited Partnership, which oversaw operations of the Wizards, Washington/Baltimore Ticketmaster, Musicentre Productions, along with management of the Verizon Center and The George Mason University Patriot Center.

NBA commissioner David Stern released a statement shortly after learning of Pollin's passing.

"With Abe Pollin's passing, the NBA family has lost its most revered member, whose stewardship of the Wizards franchise, together with his wife Irene, has been a study in unparalleled dedication to the city of Washington," Stern said. "During his illness he fought with a determination and valor that will remain an inspiration to all. We extend our deepest sympathies to Irene and his two sons, to whom he was so very devoted, and to the entire Pollin family."

Abe and Irene were instrumental in facilitating the professional sports scene in Washington, opening the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland in 1973 to house the then Baltimore Bullets.

The NHL's Capitals were purchased in total from the Pollins in 1999 by Ted Leonsis and Lincoln Holdings LLC -- a 44 percent minority owner in WSELP. The Pollins also held ownership of the WNBA's Mystics from their inception in 1998 until the team was sold in 2005 to Sheila Johnson, who was subsequently brought on as a partner in Lincoln Holdings.

As much as Abe Pollin did for sports in Washington, he did more for the community.

Pollin served as chairman of the Advisory Council and honorable chairman of the Salvation Army's Leadership Committee for Centers of Hope. He co-sponsored the "I Have a Dream Foundation" and most recently donated $1 million to the Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy to establish a fund supporting research of CBD.

As a result, Pollin was bestowed with a number of awards and accolades including the Duke Ziebert Capital Achievement Award recognizing his efforts in helping to revitalize downtown Washington D.C. Conversely, an award in his honor, "The Pollin Award," is given annually to recognize others who have given back to the Washington D.C. community.

Born in 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Pollin moved to Washington D.C. at the age of eight and graduated from George Washington University in 1945 where he was inducted into its Hall of Fame earlier this year.