World Basketball League


World Basketball League was a minor professional basketball league in the United States and Canada which operated from 1988 to 1992. It was founded as the International Basketball Association in November 1987, before changing its name prior to the 1988 season. One of the major differences between it and other leagues was that it had a height restriction. Players over 6 ft 5 in were not allowed to play; this restriction was raised to 6 ft 7 in in 1991.

History

The league was founded in November 1987. Basketball Hall-of-Famer and Boston Celtic great Bob Cousy was one of the league's founders. Norm Drucker, a 25-year veteran referee with the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association, and a former supervisor of officials for the NBA, served as the WBL's supervisor of officiating. One of the league's founders, Michael Monus, was eventually convicted of having embezzled $10 million to finance the league, from a privately owned company he had founded, Phar-Mor. He was sentenced to nine years in federal prison. The league was run from April to August each year.
In July 1988, the annual WBL All-Star Game was launched. In addition to games against other teams in the league, games were also played against international teams. The league had several of its games broadcast on television. In Canada, the games were broadcast on the CanWest Global System. In the United States, the games were broadcast on SportsChannel America. Mike Rice was the primary analyst for the SportsChannel broadcasts.
After the league folded in 1992, the surviving Canadian-based teams formed the National Basketball League. This league played two seasons before it folded as well.

Teams

Source:
TeamCityArenaSeasonsNotes
Calgary 88'sCalgary, AlbertaOlympic Saddledome1988-1992
Chicago ExpressChicago, IllinoisRosemont Horizon1988Moved to Springfield, Illinois following the 1988 season.
Dayton WingsDayton, OhioErvin J. Nutter Center1991-1992Team folded July 31, 1992.
Erie WaveErie, PennsylvaniaLouis J. Tullio Center1990-1992Team folded July 20, 1992.
Florida JadesBoca Raton, FloridaFlorida Atlantic University Arena1991-1992Team folded June 15, 1992.
Fresno FlamesFresno, CaliforniaSelland Arena1988
Halifax WindjammersHalifax, Nova ScotiaHalifax Metro Centre1991-1992Joined the National Basketball League for 1993.
Hamilton SkyhawksHamilton, OntarioCopps Coliseum1992Joined the National Basketball League for 1993.
Illinois ExpressSpringfield, IllinoisPrairie Capital Convention Center1989-1990
Jacksonville StingraysJacksonville, FloridaJacksonville Coliseum1992Team folded June 15, 1992.
Las Vegas Silver StreaksLas Vegas, NevadaThomas & Mack Center1988-1990Moved to Nashville following 1990 season.
Memphis RockersMemphis, TennesseeMid-South Coliseum1990-1991
Nashville StarsNashville, TennesseeNashville Municipal Auditorium1991
Saskatchewan StormSaskatoon, SaskatchewanSaskatchewan Place1990-1992Joined the National Basketball League in 1993. Franchise name changed by ownership to the "Saskatoon Slam."
Vancouver NighthawksVancouver, British ColumbiaBC Place1988
Winnipeg ThunderWinnipeg, ManitobaWinnipeg Arena1992Joined the National Basketball League for 1993.
Worcester CountsWorcester, MassachusettsWorcester Centrum1989
Youngstown PrideYoungstown, OhioBeeghly Center1988-1992

International Teams

Champions of WBL

Personnel

League President
  • Dr. John Geletka 1991–1992
League Commissioner
  • Steve Ehrhart 1988–1992

    Awards

WBL Championship MVP

Player of the Year

This award was established in 1991.
SeasonPlayerTeam
1991Tracy MooreFlorida Jades

Rookie of the Year

''This award was established in 1991.''

Sixth Man of the Year

Coach of the Year

Statistical leaders

Notable players

NBA players

These players played at least 1 game in the NBA
These players have won at least 1 individual award while playing in professional leagues