Tombstone
Formed: 1988
Disbanded: July 31, 1992
First Game: May 18, 1988
Last Game: July 31, 1992
Seasons: 4.5
States & Provinces: 14
(Alberta, British Columbia, CA, FL, IL, MA, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, NV, OH, Ontario, PA, Saskatchewan, TN)
Leadership
Commissioner:
- April 1988 – January 1992: Steve Ehrhart
- January 1992 – July 1992: Dr. John Geletka
Attendance
Trophy Case
World Basketball League Most Valuable Player
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | |||
| 1989 | |||
| 1990 | |||
| 1991 | Tracy Moore | Forward | Florida Jades |
| 1992 | Disbanded Midseason |
World Basketball League Rookie of the Year
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | |||
| 1989 | |||
| 1990 | |||
| 1991 | J.J. Eubanks | Guard/Forward | Nashville Stars |
| 1992 | Disbanded Midseason |
Background
The World Basketball League was a summer season minor pro basketball league that was active from 1988 to 1992. Then league dissolved in the middle of its fifth season of play when it was revealed that league founder and Youngstown Pride owner Mickey Monus was funding the league’s losses through systematic embezzlement of his Youngstown, Ohio-based Phar-Mor chain of discount pharmacies. The league collapsed immediately and Monus went to federal prison.
The unique gimmick of the WBL was that players could be no taller than 6′ 5″ tall (raised to 6′ 7″ for the final season in 1992).
Our Favorite Stuff
World Basketball League
Logo T-Shirt
Yes, the professional basketball league with a height limit! You had to be under 6′ 5″ tall to play in the run-and-gun World Basketball League during it’s 1988-1992 existence. The WBL was rather popular in Canada, but its American clubs struggled badly and an embezzlement scandal finally sunk this entertaining circuit in 1992.
This design is available from American Retro Apparel in both Sport Grey and White. Sizes small through XXXL available today!
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World Basketball League Franchise List
| Franchise | Years Active | WBL Champions |
|---|---|---|
| Calgary 88's | 1988-1992 | None |
| Chicago Express | 1988 | None |
| Dayton Wings | 1991-1992 | 1991 |
| Erie Wave | 1990-1992 | None |
| Florida Jades | 1991-1992 | None |
| Fresno Flames | 1988 | None |
| Halifax Windjammers | 1991-1992 | None |
| Hamilton Skyhawks | 1992 | None |
| Illinois Express | 1989-1990 | None |
| Jacksonville Stingrays | 1992 | None |
| Las Vegas Silver Streaks | 1988-1990 | 1988 |
| Memphis Rockers | 1990-1991 | None |
| Nashville Stars | 1991 | None |
| Saskatchewan Storm | 1990-1992 | None |
| Vancouver Nighthawks | 1988 | None |
| Winnipeg Thunder | 1992 | None |
| Worcester Counts | 1989 | None |
| Youngstown Pride | 1988-1992 | 1989-1990 |
World Basketball League Shop
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