New York Apples
October 24, 2012
World Team Tennis (1974-1978) Born: December 16, 1976 – Re-branded from New York Sets Folded: October 27, 1978 First Match: April 28, 1977 (W 24-23
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Golden Gaters
June 30, 2015
The Golden Gaters tennis team was the Bay Area franchise in the co-ed World Team Tennis league of the mid-1970’s. Of the league’s original 16 franchises that debuted in 1974, the Golden Gaters were one of just two that remained standing in its original city when the league played its final season in 1978. The league considered the Golden Gaters to be its “San Francisco” franchise, but the team played nearly all of its matches in blue-collar Oakland at the Coliseum Arena.
Philadelphia Freedoms (1974)
November 12, 2019
The Philadelphia Freedoms were the showcase franchise of World Team Tennis when the co-ed tennis promotion debuted in the spring of 1974. The team’s calling card was 31-year old Billie Jean King. The 10-time Grand Slam singles champion and league co-founder was riding a wave of notoriety following her “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition victory over Bobby Riggs the previous fall, a made-for-TV spectacle that drew a U.S. broadcast audience of 50 million people. Elton John’s 1975 hit single “Philadelphia Freedom” was named in honor of the team and his friend King, but by the time it was released, the Freedoms were kaput after just one season of play.
Hawaii Leis
June 21, 2011
The Hawaii Leis were founding members of World Team Tennis, an innovative co-ed pro tennis promotion that brought international superstars Ilie Nastase and Margaret Court to Honolulu during the Leis’ three-year run from 1974 to 1976. Owner Don Kelleher moved the Leis to the Pacific Northwest for the 1977 season, splitting time between Seattle and Portland as the “Sea-Port Cascades”.
San Diego Friars
February 6, 2013
The San Diego Friars were a franchise in World Team Tennis that played primarily at the San Diego Sports Arena from 1975 to 1978. The Friars also played occasional matches at the Anaheim Convention Center. The team was best known for signing Rod “The Rocket” Laver in February 1976. The Australian superstar, then 38 years old, is one of the greatest tennis players of all time and the only person ever two have completed two Grand Slams (1962 and 1969). Laver played three seasons for the Friars from 1976 through the club’s final season in 1978.