World Basketball League (1988)
Tombstone
Born: 1987 – International Basketball Association founding franchise
Folded: March 23, 1989
First Game: May 18, 1988 (W 116-98 @ Las Vegas Silver Streaks)
Last Game: September 6, 1988 (L 134-119 @ Las Vegas Silver Streaks)
WBL Championships: None
Arena
Selland Arena (10,300)
Opened: 1966
Marketing
Team Colors: Scarlet & Gold11988 Las Vegas Silver Streaks Media Guide
Ownership
Owners:
- 1987-1988: John O’Donnell
- 1988: Edd Becker
Background
The Fresno Flames were a One-Year Wonder in the World Basketball League, a quirky organization for basketball players 6′ 5″ and shorter.
Founded in 1987, the league was originally to be known as the International Basketball Association at the time that the Flames signed on. Original owner John O’Donnell of Newport Beach also owned the Wyoming Wildcatters of the Continental Basketball Association. O’Donnell ran out of money in February 1988, turning the Wyoming club back to the CBA to prop up and causing the Flames to fold before the IBA even tipped off its debut season. In a frantic scramble of activity and re-alignment, the IBA became the World Basketball League and Fresno car dealer Edd Becker stepped up to resurrect the Flames franchise in time for the new league’s May 1988 opening. O’Donnell’s lone contribution was to sign long-time University of Kansas Head Coach (1965-1983) Ted Owens to coach the team – although Owens claimed never to receive a single paycheck from the cash-strapped owner.
In Competition
The Flames lasted for one season only, finishing in 5th place in the six-team WBL with a 25-29 record.
The Flames did last long enough to help launch the NBA career of former UC-Irvine guard Scott Brooks. The WBL was made to showcase 5′ 11″ guards like Brooks. Brooks joined the Philadelphia 76ers later in 1988 and went on to play 10 years in the NBA. Brooks later went into coaching won NBA Coach-of-the-Year honors with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2010.
Extinguished
Edd Becker claimed to lose a million dollars operating the minor league Flames in the summer of 1988. The team averaged only 1,549 fans per game (announced). As the WBL’s second season approached the following spring, Becker looked at the ledger and saw that his team had only 100 season ticket orders for the 1989 season. The community disinterest was clear and he folded the club on March 23, 1989.
The World Basketball League itself lasted until July 1992, when it folded in the middle of its fifth season.
Fresno Flames Shop
Links
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