The Oakland Oaks were charter members of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and were introduced, along with the rest of the new league, on February 2, 1967. The franchise’s initial investors were league co-founder Dennis Murphy, along with Los Angeles-based insurance executive S. Kenneth Davidson. The latter pulled in entertainer Pat Boone, an avid basketball fan.
Charlotte’s football Hornets were members of the World Football League for parts of two seasons in 1974 and 1975. The team began play in July 1974 as the New York Stars, but bombed in the Big Apple, lost its owner, and fled to Charlotte in October. The Hornets’ second season in 1975 was also abbreviated, as the entire WFL folded in October 1975 before completing its regular season schedule.
The Seattle Steelheads were members of the West Coast Negro Baseball Association (WCNBA) in that circuit’s only season, 1946. The team was actually the Harlem Globetrotters baseball club and returned to barnstorming when the WCNBA ceased operations.
The Salt Lake Golden Eagles hockey team was a popular mainstay on the Utah pro sports scene for a quarter century. That Eagles endured despite the shocking and untimely deaths of two team owners, the collapse of two hockey leagues of which they were members, and several 11th hour rescues from financial calamity.
Omaha, Nebraska has hosted the top farm club of the Kansas City Royals since the Major League club’s inception in 1969. Initially known as the Omaha Royals, the Class AAA club won four league championships of the American Association, including back-to-back titles in their first two seasons in 1969 and 1970. The Royals survived the closure of the American Association, joining the Pacific Coast League in 1998. From 1999 until 2001, the team was briefly known as the “Golden Spikes” before returning to the Royals nickname. In 2011, the club re-branded as the Omaha Storm Chasers while simultaneously moving into the new $36M Werner Park.
Major Indoor Soccer League (1978-1980) Houston Summit Born: September 1978 – MISL founding franchise Moved: May 1, 1980 (Baltimore Blast) First Game: December 26, 1978 (W 10-3 vs. Cleveland Force) Last Game: March 23, 1980 (L 7-4 @ New York Arrows) MISL Championships: None The Summit (15,208) Opened: 1975 Team
Arena Football League (2004-2008) Born: September 25, 2003 – The Buffalo Destroyers relocate to Columbus, OH Folded: August 2009 First Game: February 7, 2004 (W 54-48 @ Indiana Firebirds) Last Game: June 21, 2008 (L 47-35 @ Cleveland Gladiators) Arena Bowl Championships: None Nationwide Arena (17,078) Opened: 2000 Team Colors: Navy Blue, White
The San Diego Clippers were born when the Buffalo Braves headed west in the summer of 1978. Almost as soon as they got there, the team was angling to move up the 5 to L.A., which they ultimately did in 1984.
Canadian Football League (1995) Born: January 11, 1995 – CFL expansion franchise Folded: February 1996 First Game: July 4, 1995 (W 38-10 @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers) Last Game: November 5, 1995 (L 52-9 @ San Antonio Texans) Grey Cup Championships: None Legion Field (75,017) Opened: 1927 Team Colors: Teal, Blue, Burnt Orange & Black Owner:
*Like our new look? Next up: site speed. You can help with a tip for our Speed Fund today. Thank you!
