Continental Basketball Association (1969–1974)

The Continental Basketball Association (CBA) was an American semi-professional basketball league that operated from 1969 (1969) to 1974 (1974).

For the league known as the Continental Basketball Association after 1978, see Continental Basketball Association.

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]

League champions
Season Team Ref
1969–70Waukesha Medalist Mods[11]
1970–71Rockford Royals[12]
1971–72Lake County Lakers[13][14]
1972–73Grand Rapids Tackers[15]
1973–74Grand Rapids Tackers[16]


References
  1. "Continental Cage League Officially Set". The Sheboygan Press. UPI. May 26, 1969. p. 25. Retrieved October 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. McIntyre, John (March 25, 1969). "Proposes League for Basketball". Janesville Daily Gazette. p. 12. Retrieved October 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Continental Cage League Has Seven Applications". The Sheboygan Press. UPI. March 31, 1969. p. 19. Retrieved October 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Six-City Continental Cage Loop Organized". The Sheboygan Press. UPI. September 23, 1969. p. 20. Retrieved October 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Mods to move franchise to Waukesha". Wasau Daily Record-Herald. AP. January 20, 1970. p. 14. Retrieved October 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Fensin, Lee (January 23, 1970). "Will Mods Receive Better Fan Support Than Colleges?". Waukesha Freeman. p. 10. Retrieved October 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Waukesha Tops Bullets, Nabs Title". The Decatur Herald. March 15, 1970. p. 17. Retrieved October 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Kickin' It Around". The Daily Herald. Chicago, Illinois. 17 December 1971. p. 24. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  9. "Dribble towards daylight". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. 30 January 1972. p. 196. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  10. "Grand Rapids Gets New Team". Lansing State Journal. AP. November 25, 1974. p. C-3. Retrieved October 30, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Mooren, Tony (October 23, 1970). "Mods Basketball Franchise Is in Trouble". Waukesha Freeman. p. 10. Retrieved February 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Rockford First In Continental; Bullets Third". Decatur Hearald. March 15, 1971. p. 11. Retrieved February 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Lake County Tops Bullets For Title". Decatur Hearald. February 28, 1972. p. 13. Retrieved February 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Price, Russell On All-Star Team". Decatur Sunday Herald and Review. April 2, 1972. p. 21. Retrieved February 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Martonosi, Leo (May 3, 1973). "Nose Tips". The Holland Evening Sentinel. p. 13. Retrieved February 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. Falls, Joe (February 25, 1974). "Why They Play Minor League Cage". Detroit Free Press. p. 1-D. Retrieved February 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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