Tombstone
Formed: 1978
Disbanded: Late 1981
First Game: December 9, 1978
Last Game: April 20, 1981
Seasons: 3
States & Provinces: 13 + District of Columbia
(CA, DC, IA, IL, MA, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, WI)
Leadership
Trophy Case
Women’s Basketball League Most Valuable Player
| YEAR | PLAYER | POSITION | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978-79 | Rita Easterling | Guard | Chicago Hustle |
| 1979-80 (Shared) | Molly Bolin | Guard | Iowa Cornets |
| 1979-80 (Shared) | Ann Meyers | Guard-Forward | New Jersey Gems |
| 1980-81 | Rosie Walker | Center-Forward | Nebraska Wranglers |
Women’s Basketball League Coach of the Year
| YEAR | PLAYER | TEAM |
|---|---|---|
| 1978-79 | ||
| 1979-80 | Dean Meminger | New York Stars |
| 1980-81 | Greg Williams | Dallas Diamonds |
Editor's Pick
mad seasons
The Story of the First Women’s Professional Basketball League, 1978-1981
by Karra Porter
When you make a purchase through an affiliate link like this one, Fun While It Lasted earns a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Background
The Women’s Professional Basketball League was the first attempt to launch a nationwide professional basketball league for women. The league was a creation of sports promoter Bill Byrne, who had previous involvement in start-up ventures such as the World Football League (1974-1975) and the American Professional Slo-Pitch League (1977-1980).
The WPBL debuted on December 9th, 1978 with a game between the Milwaukee Does and the Chicago Hustle at the MECCA Arena in Milwaukee. Attendance was poor and media coverage was scant in many cities, but the league managed to complete its first season with all eight franchises intact. There were also bright spots. The Chicago Hustle drew a loyal crowd and broadcast games on WGN-TV. The Iowa franchise was terrific on the court and developed a state-wide following, touring various gyms and arenas around the state in a custom 1964 Greyhound called “the Corndog”. The expansion San Francisco Pioneers were well managed and well attended.
The wheels started to come off during the WPBL’s second season in the winter of 1979-80. Ramshackle clubs in California, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. folded without completing their schedules and a fourth – Dallas – was narrowly saved after its original owner bailed. Following the season, four more teams dropped out.
Demise
The league returned for a third and final season in 1980-81, but was plagued by more of the same problems. Players struck over unpaid wages in New England and Minnesota and the league lost another team in mid-season when the New England Gulls went belly up. The Nebraska Wranglers won the final WPBL championship in April 1981. The league quietly shut down in stages over the months that followed, never formally announcing its demise. It just faded away.
The 1979-1981 WPBL is also sometimes referred to simply as the Women’s Basketball League or WBL.
Women’s Basketball League Franchise list
| FRANCHISE | YEARS ACTIVE | WBL CHAMPIONS |
|---|---|---|
| California Dreams | 1979-1980 | Never |
| Chicago Hustle | 1978-1981 | Never |
| Dallas Diamonds | 1979-1981 | Never |
| Dayton Rockettes | 1978-1979 | Never |
| Houston Angels | 1978-1980 | 1979 |
| Iowa Cornets | 1978-1980 | Never |
| Milwaukee Does | 1978-1980 | Never |
| Minnesota Fillies | 1978-1981 | Never |
| Nebraska Wranglers | 1980-1981 | 1981 |
| New England Gulls | 1980-1981 | Never |
| New Jersey Gems | 1978-1981 | Never |
| New Orleans Pride | 1979-1981 | Never |
| New York Stars | 1978-1980 | 1980 |
| Philadelphia Fox | 1979 | Never |
| St. Louis Streak | 1979-1981 | Never |
| San Francisco Pioneers | 1979-1981 | Never |
| Washington Metros | 1979 | Never |
Archives
1978-79 Women’s Professional Basketball League Brochure
1978-79 Women's Professional Basketball League Brochure
February 9, 1981 Women’s Basketball League All-Star Game Program @ Albuquerque, NM
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6 Responses
As I look through the photos of the New Orleans Pride I am sad, because I see no pictures of key players. I was a key player for this team. But of course like all the colleges I attend on a basketball scholarship, they failed to recognize players like myself as outstanding role models for the program. I wonder is it because I came from a small high school in the state of Mississippi
I agree with Wanda Ard. I see no photos of her or Kathy Swilley.
I played for the Chicago Hustle the first two years. I was wondering why it is the only team without a program or information. I have several pieces of memorabilia. Please update Chicago’s link. I am sure Doug Bruno, the original coach and current Depaul Women’s basketball coach has information as well. Please update the Chicago Hustle page…it would be greatly appreciated by the Hustle players.
I too played in the WBL in 1997 which ran the year leading up to the WNBA. Our team was the Minnesota Stars. I recently threw out our team passes. Are ther no records of this league. There were teams in Memphis, Va., Chicago and our pay was $50.
if others are out there ,I would love to write more about the history of women professional basketball players before the WNBA.
Ronnie. [email protected]
I would love to see footage of my mom playing. She’s always told me stories of her time as a Dallas Diamond.