The Pros, with their monumentally boring name, were the first of three short-lived American Basketball Association franchises to set up shop at the Mid-South Coliseum during the 1970’s. The Pros preceded the Tams (1972-1974) and the Sounds (1974-1975) in this iconic league with its red, white & blue ball.
The Las Vegas Dealers were one of seven founding teams in the Western Basketball Association in 1978. The Dealers proved to be the league’s shakiest franchise and barely made it through the season. Dealers founders James Speed and his wife Sylvia came to the ownership suite through unusual – and sad – circumstances. 6′ 7″ James Speed was a prized recruit for the University of Iowa basketball program in 1970. Before he ever took the floor for the Hawkeyes, complications from routine medical procedures left him permanently blind in both eyes. Speed later used part of his $750,000 malpractice judgment to buy the Dealers.
Eastern Professional Basketball League (1946-1947) American Basketball League (1947-1953) Eastern Professional Basketball League (1954-1970) Eastern Basketball Association (1958-1978) Continental Basketball Association (1978-1980) Born: 1946 –
Formed: May 10, 1970 (Eastern Basketball Association) Re-branded: August 26, 1978 (Continental Basketball Association) First Game: December 12, 1970 Last Game: May 7, 1978 Seasons: 8
Formed: August 3, 1949 (Basketball Association of America and National Basketball League merge) Status: Active First Game: October 29, 1949 (Denver Nuggets 85 @ Tri-Cities Blackhawks
*Like our new look? Next up: site speed. You can help with a tip for our Speed Fund today. Thank you!
