World Basketball League (1988-1992)
Tombstone
Born: 1987 – WBL founding franchise
Folded: August 1, 1992
First Game: May 19, 1988 (W 132-94 vs. Vancouver Nighthawks)
Last Game: July 28, 1992 (L 123-121 @ Winnipeg Thunder)
WBL Championships: None
Arena
Olympic Saddledome (9,800)
Opened: 1983
Branding
Team Colors: Red & Black
Ownership
Owner: Jon Havelock & Michael Smith
Attendance
Fun While It Lasted has cobbled together only a partial record of Calgary 88’s attendance and World Basketball League attendance more broadly. We hope to add more data as we can uncover it.
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Sources:
- 1988, 1989 & 1991 Calgary Figures and 1988, 1989, 1990 & 1991 WBL figures11992 World Basketball League Media Guide
Background
The Calgary 88’s were a minor pro basketball league that competed in all five seasons of the short-lived World Basketball League (1988-1992). The WBL was restricted to player 6′ 5″ and under and featured an odd geographic mix of teams scattered from southern Florida to Western Canada.
True to its name, the World Basketball League also imported touring teams from Europe and the Soviet Union (who were not subject to the height restriction rules) to compete against the North American franchises. These games counted in the league’s regular season standings. Without exception the European teams were terrible and these contests basically amounted to a guaranteed win.
The 88’s were one of the WBL’s best teams, both on the court and at the box office. They appeared in the league championship series in back-to-back seasons in 1989 and 1990, but lost to the Youngstown Pride on both occasions.
In August 1992 the World Basketball League folded in midseason after an embezzlement scandal involving the Youngstown Pride’s owner consumed the entire league. The 88’s went under with the rest of the league.
88’s Video
Calgary 88’s vs. Saskatchewan Storm at the Saddledome. June 11th, 1991 SportsChannel America broadcast.
Downloads
5-19-1988 Calgary 88’s vs. Vancouver Nighthawks Game Notes
5-19-1988 Calgary 88s vs Vancouver Nighthawks Game Notes
6-4-1991 Calgary 88’s vs. Memphis Rockers Game Notes
6-3-1992 Calgary 88’s vs. Jacksonville Stingrays Game Notes
6-19-1992 Calgary 88’s vs. Youngstown Pride Game Notes
2012 FWiL interview with former WBL Director of Public Relations Jimmy Oldham
Links
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One Response
Anyone know one of the owners of this team Mike Smith?