Karl Eller
Longtime Phoenix businessman, entrepreneur, sports fan, and civic leader.
A pictorial celebration of a life that touched so many for 85 years.
1971
Fiesta Bowl Founders
Karl (middle, front) was one of the original Fiesta Bowl Founders. This group of men were the driving force to bring the game to Phoenix in 1971 and begin a new college football tradition.
Reagan Fiesta Bowl
As an original Fiesta Bowl Founder, Karl presents Fiesta Bowl game tickets to President Ronald Reagan.
1970
Public Service
Karl has been very involved in the community over the years and would use his companies’ powers to get a strong message out. This early ‘70s billboard is a good example of how he would [...]
1968
Combined Communications
In 1968 Karl orchestrated a deal that merged Eller Outdoor Advertising with KTAR Radio and Television stations (local NBC affiliate, Channel 12). The name of the new company would become Combined Communications. Mr. Eller served [...]
1968
Phoenix Suns
A 1968 newspaper article announcing that three investors, one being Karl (middle) landed an NBA franchise that would begin play in Phoenix Arizona. This was the beginning of “The Phoenix Suns”.
1967
Phoenix Roadrunners
In the late sixties, Karl was the lead investor in a group from Phoenix that brought the original Phoenix Roadrunners hockey team to Phoenix.