White Sox Co-Owner, Vice Chairman Eddie Einhorn Dies At 80

(CBS) White Sox co-owner and vice chairman Eddie Einhorn died late Tuesday night. He was 80.

Einhorn passed away following complications from a stroke, the White Sox said.

Einhorn had served as an executive for 35 seasons with the White Sox, including the past 25 as the vice chairman. He was also on the board of the Bulls.

Einhorn attended law school at Northwestern and was a classmate there of White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.

His love for the White Sox blossomed during that time, as he was a vendor at Comiskey Park in 1959 and 1960.

As the founder and chairman of TVS Television Network, Einhorn was a pioneer in the sports television industry, helping college basketball to the masses and into the mainstream.

"Eddie was a creative whirlwind whose ideas -- many of them far ahead of their time -- changed the landscape of sports, and sports on television, forever," Reinsdorf said in a statement. "He was a man of many interests, projects, ideas and opinions, and we all will miss him dearly. It is exceedingly rare in this day and age to have enjoyed a friendship and a working partnership that lasted our lifetimes. We celebrated many great moments together."

Einhorn was inducted to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2011.

Einhorn is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ann; daughter Jennifer; grandson Meyer; and son, Jeff.

Services will take place Sunday at noon at Louis Suburban Chapel at 1301 Broadway in Fair Lawn, N.J.

The White Sox will wear a sleeve patch this season to honor Einhorn.