Continental Basketball Association (1969–1974) Explained
The Continental Basketball Association (CBA) was an American semi-professional basketball league that operated from to .
Founded in 1969,[1] the league originally began from an idea to keep the football players from the Central States Football League in shape during the offseason.[2] The Continental name was chosen over Central States Basketball League so that it would be more inviting to potential teams outside of Illinois and Wisconsin, where the football league was based.[3] The CBA played using National Basketball Association rules, which included a 24-second shot clock. Each team played a 20-game schedule, divided into 10 home games and 10 away.[4]
The six inaugural teams in 1969–70 were located in Illinois (Decatur, Peoria, Rockford and Waukegan), Michigan (Grand Rapids) and Wisconsin (Waukesha).[4] [5] The Waukesha team began the season based in Cudahy, Wisconsin, but moved mid-season due to lack of fan support. Though they were on top of the league's standings, the Medalist Mods were second to last in attendance.[5] [6] Waukesha went on to win the league title that season.[7]
During the 1970–71 season, the NBA Milwaukee Bucks entered a player-development agreement with the CBA Milwaukee Muskies. The Bucks ended the relationship the following season and the Muskies folded as a result.[8] The Chicagoland Travelers (originally named the Northwest Chicagoland Travelers) also folded after the 1970–71 season because they failed to come up with the $20,000–$30,000 in annual operating costs.[9]
The CBA folded after its 1973–74 season.[10]
Ref| 1969–70 | Waukesha Medalist Mods | [11] |
| 1970–71 | Rockford Royals | [12] |
| 1971–72 | Lake County Lakers | [13] [14] |
| 1972–73 | Grand Rapids Tackers | [15] |
| 1973–74 | Grand Rapids Tackers | [16] | |
External links
Notes and References
- News: Continental Cage League Officially Set. May 26, 1969. The Sheboygan Press. UPI. 25. October 30, 2019. Newspapers.com.
- News: McIntyre. John. Proposes League for Basketball. March 25, 1969. Janesville Daily Gazette. 12. Newspapers.com. October 30, 2019.
- News: Continental Cage League Has Seven Applications. March 31, 1969. The Sheboygan Press. UPI. 19. October 30, 2019. Newspapers.com.
- News: Six-City Continental Cage Loop Organized. September 23, 1969. The Sheboygan Press. UPI. 20. October 30, 2019. Newspapers.com.
- News: Mods to move franchise to Waukesha. January 20, 1970. Wasau Daily Record-Herald. AP. 14. October 30, 2019. Newspapers.com.
- News: Fensin. Lee. Will Mods Receive Better Fan Support Than Colleges?. January 23, 1970. Waukesha Freeman. 10. October 30, 2019. Newspapers.com.
- News: Waukesha Tops Bullets, Nabs Title. March 15, 1970. The Decatur Herald. 17. October 30, 2019. Newspapers.com.
- News: Kickin' It Around . 1 March 2021 . The Daily Herald . 17 December 1971 . Chicago, Illinois . 24.
- News: Dribble towards daylight . 1 March 2021 . Chicago Tribune . 30 January 1972 . Chicago, Illinois . 196.
- News: Grand Rapids Gets New Team. November 25, 1974. Lansing State Journal. AP. C-3. October 30, 2019. Newspapers.com.
- News: Tony. Mooren. Mods Basketball Franchise Is in Trouble. October 23, 1970. Waukesha Freeman. 10. Newspapers.com. February 4, 2021.
- News: Rockford First In Continental; Bullets Third. March 15, 1971. Decatur Hearald. 11. Newspapers.com. February 2, 2021.
- News: Lake County Tops Bullets For Title. February 28, 1972. Decatur Hearald. 13. Newspapers.com. February 2, 2021.
- News: Price, Russell On All-Star Team. April 2, 1972. Decatur Sunday Herald and Review. 21. Newspapers.com. February 2, 2021.
- News: Leo. Martonosi. Nose Tips. May 3, 1973. The Holland Evening Sentinel. 13. Newspapers.com. February 2, 2021.
- News: Joe. Falls. Why They Play Minor League Cage. February 25, 1974. 1-D. Detroit Free Press. Newspapers.com. February 2, 2021.
