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Some perspective in a quote from Bill Byrne, the founder of the Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL), back in early 1979:
"Some day when we're in our rocking chairs and girls are making $100,000 a year, we'll laugh about these struggling times."
"Some day when we're in our rocking chairs and girls are making $100,000 a year, we'll laugh about these struggling times."
Ann Meyers notably signed a contract with the Indiana Pacers for $50,000 -- more than what players were getting in the WBL.
Just about 40 years later WNBA players can make up to $215,000 under the new "supermax."
A long way to go, but it has come a long way, too.
Just about 40 years later WNBA players can make up to $215,000 under the new "supermax."
A long way to go, but it has come a long way, too.
The WBL (founded in 1978) hoped to capitalize on the 980 Olympics. The United States ended up boycotting the Games in Moscow.
Knowing how the 1996 Olympics helped propel the WNBA, who knows how the global issues around the 1980 Olympics impacted the potential of the WBL?
Knowing how the 1996 Olympics helped propel the WNBA, who knows how the global issues around the 1980 Olympics impacted the potential of the WBL?
It's fair to say that the visibility of the college game and the tour leading up to the 1996 Olympics being IN the United States had much more of an impact that wouldn't have been felt in 1980, but it's interesting how the Olympics ties in to both leagues.
Now, some fun numbers from the WBL that struck me while reading "Mad Seasons"...
"Machine Gun" Molly Bolin held several records:
- PTS in a game: 55
- PTS in a season: 1,179 (36 games)
- PTS per game in season: 32.8
Different game, but fun video:
"Machine Gun" Molly Bolin held several records:
- PTS in a game: 55
- PTS in a season: 1,179 (36 games)
- PTS per game in season: 32.8
Different game, but fun video:
Keep in mind the WBL played 48-minute games.
Rita Easterling set a single-game assists mark that couldn't be beat in the league's inaugural game. She had 21 assists for the Chicago Hustle. The Hustle were coached by DePaul women's basketball head coach Doug Bruno.
Rita Easterling set a single-game assists mark that couldn't be beat in the league's inaugural game. She had 21 assists for the Chicago Hustle. The Hustle were coached by DePaul women's basketball head coach Doug Bruno.
Easterling was also the first All Star MVP in the league and was also noted as having taken 7 charges in one game.
The "Hustle" were originally going to be called the "Chicago Skyline" until 2 of Chicago's players "hustled" a couple of guys in a 2-on-2 game.
The "Hustle" were originally going to be called the "Chicago Skyline" until 2 of Chicago's players "hustled" a couple of guys in a 2-on-2 game.
In a 1979 game the Hustle put up 153 points, a regulation game record.
But a game a few weeks later set overall scoring records.
The New Jersey Gems beat the Milwaukee Does 163-161 in 3OT for the most PTS combined, most by one team, and 13 players scored in double figures.
But a game a few weeks later set overall scoring records.
The New Jersey Gems beat the Milwaukee Does 163-161 in 3OT for the most PTS combined, most by one team, and 13 players scored in double figures.
Lastly, for now, some wild triple-double lines from Ann Meyers, all in 1980:
19 PTS / 10 REB / 10 AST (+ 9 STL)
30 PTS / 11 REB / 10 AST
17 PTS / 13 AST / 10 STL (+ 8 REB)
29 PTS / 14 REB / 13 AST (+ 7 STL)
19 PTS / 10 REB / 10 AST (+ 9 STL)
30 PTS / 11 REB / 10 AST
17 PTS / 13 AST / 10 STL (+ 8 REB)
29 PTS / 14 REB / 13 AST (+ 7 STL)
Byrne quote from this WaPo story back in 1979:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1979/02/25/the-wbl/7702d02a-6083-4de1-bd91-f010fdcb9174/
All other info from "Mad Seasons," a great read on the league and the people in and around it those few years: https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/bison-original/9780803287891/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1979/02/25/the-wbl/7702d02a-6083-4de1-bd91-f010fdcb9174/
All other info from "Mad Seasons," a great read on the league and the people in and around it those few years: https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/bison-original/9780803287891/
Lastly, shout out to @blacksportwoman with a great thread around the WBL last month: https://twitter.com/blacksportwoman/status/1336698623707521029
