??? 1976

Previously, the Bulls franchise has been the Ottawa Nationals in 1972-73 during the WHA's inaugural season. Ottawa played the Alberta Oilers in the first World Hockey Association game ever, losing 7-4.

Giles Leger was named the team's first head coach and general manager. Leger soon found the shared responsibilities too demanding and he hired Pat Kelly. Kelly got his start in coaching as the head coach of the Eastern Hockey League's New Jersey Devils in 1964. The next year, Kelly became head coach of the Clinton Comets, where he stayed until 1972. He then took the head coach position with the Southern Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers.

John Bassett purchased the franchise in 1973 and due to lack of fan support in Ottawa, moved the franchise to Toronto where they became the Torros. When attendance plummeted in Toronto, Bassett looked for other cities to host his team and remembered Birmingham's Civic Center Coliseum when he visited during his days as owner of the World Football League's Memphis Southmen. Bassett sent Pete McAskile to Birmingham to evaluate the city.

??? 1977

Glen Sonmor named head coach. Sonmor's playing career ended in 1955 when he lost an eye while playing for the American Hockey League's Cleveland Barons. His first coaching job was with the University of Minnesota's Freshmen team. He then coached the Junior A team at St. Catherine's, Ontario, Canada. After being the head coach at the University of Minnesota for a few years, Sonmor's first job in the professional ranks was with the WHA's Minnesota Fighting Saints in 1972.

At the conclusion of his twenty-one year playing career, Brophy's first job coaching was as the head coach for the North American Hockey League's Long Island Cougars. The next year, he joined a brand new league, the Southern Hockey League, when he went to the Hampton Gulls as their head coach. His Gulls won the SHL's championship in 1976. Brophy stayed with the Gulls as they joined the American Hockey League in 1977. However, the Gulls folded before the season ended due to financial difficulties, and Brophy joined the Bulls late in that same season.

Bulls owner John Bassett said, "I can't comment on the matter because I don't know the details. But I know the type contract Skalbania signed Gretzky to is the same kind I signed Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick and Paul Warfield to in the World Football League. If Mr. Skalbania wants Gretzky to cut grass, drive his automobile, play football or play hockey, then Gretzky is supposed to do it. It will be interesting. If Gretzky is approved, then I have about 6 quality under-age juniors lined up. I wasn't interested in Gretzky. He has great talent, no doubt. But he's only 5' 8" and 150 pounds, something like that. I don't know if he can take the physical abuse he'll be subjected to."

Bassett went on to comment on the NHL/WHA merger rumors saying, "Eventually, it must come down to one league, but some of our owners are going about it the wrong way. You don't buy your way in - you build toward parity. Then you demand a Super Bowl of hockey with the NHL as the American Football League did with the National Football League. That is the route to merger - equal strength."

With their decision to remain in the WHA, the rumors that Birmingham would merge with Indianapolis should die. There was a possibility that Birmingham's contract players would go to Indianapolis in exchange for a piece of the Racers franchise for Bassett. It was a way for him to keep a voice in the WHA. Bassett said, "Indy was an option. If the decision had gone the other way, we would have done it. They wanted to cash in on our personnel and expertise and help solidify their franchise. But now all that's history."

The NHL/WHA merger is announced. The terms of the merge were $8 to $10 million from each of the WHA teams to join and they could retain only two goalies and two skaters.

Bassett spoke of Birmingham's future by saying, "I'm sorry we're not part of it, but our attendance and the size of the community does not merit that kind of dollar commitment required to go into that league. Unless something unforeseen happens, there will be a hockey team here next year. Right now the future is probably in the Central Hockey League. That league has pursued us, since the merger became a distinct possibility. My role in hockey here is undetermined at this time. Several people from the Central League, and the NHL, have come to me and asked if I would see that hockey stays in Birmingham."

It is announced that a group of local businessmen headed by investment consultant Frank Falkenburg have secured the rights to Birmingham's Central Hockey League franchise. They will be a farm team of the NHL's Atlanta Flames. John Brophy will remain as coach. John Bassett, who was President and majority owner of the Bulls while they were members of the WHA, will own less of the club but will remain with the organization as a CHL Governor and NHL liaison. The new ownership group will be known as Magic City Sports. Peter McAskile, who was Executive Vice President last year, will be President. McAskile said the new Bulls would only need 4,000 fans in attendance each game in order to break even.

The Central Hockey League was created in 1963 due to the increasing need to provide a developmental league for players who's only drawbacks were lack of quality playing time. Jack Adams and Tommy Ivan were co-founders of the CHL.

CHL President Bud Poile visits Birmingham to meet with Bulls President Pete McAskile and several key investors about the Bulls finances. The Bulls concerns center around the distant location of the other CHL franchises, which coupled with low attendance, has put a strain on the Bulls' balance sheet. Poile said, "I know we need to do something to help Birmingham and Indianapolis. Travel is a burden on these clubs, along with Salt Lake City on the other end. Indianapolis and Salt Lake City are doing well enough to offset it, but I am concerned about Birmingham. There is no immediate concern. I hope. But I want to get something going pretty quick to head off any crisis. I don't want another Houston on my hands. I've had one, that's enough. I don't mean to imply Birmingham is anywhere near being another Houston. I simply want to get any financial problems headed off right now." 

McAskile said, "We've had financial problems, but we're committed to play the rest of the season and decide what to do next year when the time comes."

When asked for his reaction to the news, Head Coach John Brophy said, "I was shocked like everybody else. I knew about the financial problems, but I thought for sure we would finish the season. Of course, I am disappointed more than I can tell you."