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Team
and League History |
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May
1976 |
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 John
Bassett, owner of the World Hockey Association's
Toronto Toros, says he is interested in placing
his hockey team in Birmingham. Bassett was also
the owner of the defunct World Football League's
Memphis Southmen.
Bassett has told the
city of Toronto that he will be moving his
franchise before the 1976-77 season begins and
has already visited St. Paul (MN), Hollywood
(FL) and Ottawa, Canada.
During the past
weekend, Bassett took a tour of the new, and
still unfinished, 17,000 seat Civic Center
Coliseum with his friend Jack Gotta. Gotta was
the head coach of the WFL's
Birmingham Americans and the Vice-President
and General Manager of the WFL's
Birmingham Vulcans.
"I've visited the
great arenas of the world, and this is as fine a
facility as I've seen anywhere. The people here
don't realize what they have. If they did,
they'd have a tenant lined up already," Bassett
said.
Bassett is sending his Marketing
Director Pete McAskile to Birmingham this week
to meet with city and coliseum officials.
 Previously,
the Toros franchise was 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.
John
Bassett purchased the Ottawa franchise in 1973 and due to lack of fan
support in Ottawa, moved the franchise to
Toronto where they became the Torros.
Gotta is excited at the possibility of Bassett
coming to Birmingham. "John practically carried
the World Football League for two seasons. When
John came here with Memphis for the last
football game we played, he saw the facility.
When it became evident that he has to move his
Toronto team because the city cannot support
both the (National Hockey League) Maple Leafs
and Toros, he remembered it. I can tell you, he
was totally impressed when he was given a tour
over the weekend. He came here more or less on a
fact-finding mission, but he left really awed.
Of course John has always liked Birmingham. He
talked about the competitive atmosphere and the
winning environment he sensed when his Memphis
team was here to play us in football. I believe
the fans here would go for hockey because of
their love for contact sports. And I can tell
you, the best man in hockey is the one we're
dealing with. Let me emphasize that my main
objective is to get professional football for
Birmingham, and that won't change. I'm merely
helping John because he's a good man and I
believe a hockey team here would enhance our bid
for a NFL franchise," Gotta said.
 Gary
Davidson and Dennis Murphy co-found the World
Hockey Association on June 10th, 1971, as an alternative to the National Hockey League.
Davidson and Murphy also co-founded the American Basketball Association in
1968 to rival the National Basketball Association. Davidson served as the
WHA's first President until October 29, 1973, when he resigned to devote his attention to creating
the World Football League.
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Toros Marketing Director Pete McAskile is in
Birmingham to tour the city and meet with city
and coliseum representatives.
"I don't
know a thing about Birmingham and I'm here to
find out. We're keen on finding a home where
people want us. We're gonna have a helluva
hockey team in the years ahead, and our players
want to put their feet down where people respect
hitting and checking and winning. The guys want
a home so badly it is unbelievable. We've played
second fiddle to the (NHL's) Maple Leafs in
Toronto since we arrived, and we've decided it's
time to find our own home. John (Bassett) was
totally impressed with the facilities here. He
thinks the arena here can be as good as there is
in the world. He came back to Toronto after Jack
(Gotta) had shown him around absolutely
ecstatic. He sent me down to look the situation
over thoroughly. I'll be here four or five days,
checking into everything. I'll look into
industry, to see if these people are willing to
buy tickets. I'll check on the entertainment
dollar available, and ascertain if people are
willing to spend it on hockey. What do people do
here for entertainment? Do they go to the
movies? To the ballet? Is Birmingham looking for
a basketball team? These are things I'm here to
find out," McAskile said.
McAskile points
out that the Toros have two of the five hockey
players of all time on their roster, Frank
Mahavolich and Vaclav Nedomansky. "Mahavolich,
of course, is known to people everywhere. He is
the third leading goal scorer of all time in
hockey, behind Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull. Paul
Henderson is a superstar in Canada. Mark Napier,
our Rookie of the Year in the WHA, is the most
exciting player since Bobby Orr. So we have two
of the best who ever played the game, and the
most exciting young player in hockey. Hockey is
the fastest game in the world and definitely one
of the most exciting. The fans get involved
because they're right on top of the action.
Seeing hockey in person will win any fan who
loves contact. It's not at all like watching it
on television," McAskile said.
Hockey has
done well in the deep South with a team in
near-by Atlanta.
"When the Toros started,
it was a tough market. The fans in Toronto are
the most knowledgable in the world. And they
were all Maple Leaf fans. Here (in Toronto) we
are going against them with all new players, and
playing in the same arena. It was a fight for
media coverage, and we naturally got second
play. The papers there didn't even cover us on
the road. So I really love the thought of trying
it someplace like Birmingham," McAskile said. |
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McAskile has all but completed his fact-finding
tour of Birmingham and he likes what he sees.
"Birmingham is definitely leading the pack. But
it's my gut feeling that if it's approached
properly, hockey will definitely go in
Birmingham. I've already had more support from
the community than I ever had in Toronto. I like
what I see. As I said earlier, I love the
facility. And the people, to a person, have been
honest with me. Most say they nothing about
hockey, but are willing to learn and want a
team. I have also met a surprising number who
have had contact with hockey. There are a lot
more people here from the North than you think.
They are anxious. Everybody agrees education
will be a major factor. I don't believe that
will be a problem. From what I gather, this city
goes nuts over sports. I believe they would pick
up the rudiments of hockey quickly," McAskile
said.
Having just been burned by the
World Football League, the city could be
leery of another league with the word "world" in
its title. "Unlike the World Football League,
the World Hockey Association has been around a
few years. The WHA will be going into its fifth
year. Three or four teams in the league (of the
twelve) obviouslly need help. We're one of them.
On the other hand, there are three or four teams
in the NHL who aren't exactly prospering right
now. So it's my contention that the World Hockey
Association is no worse off than the National
Hockey League. There are definitely eight solid
hockey teams financially solvent and ready to
play. These would make a good league. But we'll
probably go with twelve again because a lot of
people still want hockey. Most teams will be in
the black within a couple of years as the salary
level declines. The expansion craze is about
over. Merger is also a possibility, maybe in a
couple of years. It makes sense from a financial
standpoint. We already have inter-league
trading, and there was some activity in this
area. We're not stealing players from each other
like before, and we (Toronto) are the last
franchise going head-to-head with an NHL team.
Once we move, the markets will be clean. That's
not to say there isn't still some animosity
between the leagues, because there is. But
that's on the decline, too," McAskile said. |
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Bassett and McAskile return to Birmingham.
"We're back to get some definite answers to some
definite questions. Primarily, we're back to
talk with some people about investing in the
hockey team. John was in St. Paul last week and
we've taken a closer look at Ottawa. Now we're
back in Birmingham," McAskile said. |
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At a press conference at the Birmingham Chamber
of Commerce, Bassett announces that he has
narrowed the list down to St. Paul (MN) or
Birmingham. The final decision could come any
day.
"I am hopeful we'll be able to put a
package together and tell the league we'll be
here next season. I am very impressed with this
market, and you are going to have one of the
finest three or four arenas in North America.
Birmingham is a great sports city, but the last
two or three times I was here my teams (WFL's
Memphis Southmen) got kicked around and that
wasn't very much fun," Bassett said.
Bassett orginally looked into Birmingham as a
hockey town for the league as a possible
expansion market. "I hadn't considered our team
moving here, but I knew Birmingham is a good
town. So a couple of weeks ago I came to look at
the new facility for the league. People let me
know they were not interested in an expansion
team. But if an established team, with good
personnel and a solid organization were
available, they would be interested. So I sent
Pete McAskile down to check some things, then
decided I'd come back to get a feel of the
market. I am impressed. I have met with some
people, and they seem enthusiastic. And
Birmingham is probably the biggest city in North
America without a professional sports franchise
of any kind. It just doesn't make sense to me
that something isn't here, with the facilities
available," Bassett said.
St. Paul is an
attractive option, but Birmingham may have an
edge against it. "I don't particularly want to
go to St. Paul and take on the National Hockey
League across the river in Minneapolis, also the
Minnesota Vikings and the Twins. This is a fresh
situation, and we'd be starting out new. I've
had enough battling the established team in
town. That was the situation in Toronto. We were
drawing well, but it cost us an arm and a leg to
rent Maple Leaf Gardens from the NHL team. We
got the poorest dates, poor ice and everything
negative they could unload on us. In the
beginning we had intended to build our own rink
in Toronto, but we weren't able to do that
because inflation hit us. We drew well in our
two years there. We averaged about 10,000 last
season and about 9,000 this season, but the way
things were we needed 15,000 just to break
even," Bassett said.
Educating the sports
fans of Birmingham will be one of the biggest
obstacles, but one Bassett thinks this can be
done. "We have to make people aware hockey is
not boxing and wrestling on ice, but a game of
finesse and skill. It's the fastest game in the
world, and you have to see it to appreciate it.
Hockey doesn't televise well. You have to be
there to feel it. I know people here like
contact sports and they like good entertainment.
They'll love hockey," Bassett said. |
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June
1976 |
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At a gathering of local investors and fans,
Bassett said he was moving his World Hockey
Association franchise to Birmingham.
"Unless something unforeseen happens, they'll be
professional hockey in Birmingham this fall,"
Bassett said. When pushed, Bassett said it was
85% likely to happen. "Of course, there has been
a lot of money won betting on 15% possibilities,
" Bassett said. The 15% is made up of four
factors that could derail the move. One is the
league could vote against the move. Another
would be if the club's current investors vote
against the move. Complications in the differing
tax laws between the United States and Canada
could cause an issue. And finally, the team may
not be able to come to terms for renting the
Coliseum. Bassett doesn't think any of these
situations will likely occur, however.
If
all goes as planned, the first game would be an
exhibition game versus the NHL's Atlanta Flames.
The second game could possibly be another
exhibition game against an NHL club, this time
the New York Rangers.
Locally, Bassett
sought out 30 people to invest $40,000 each,
providing him with a $1.2 million nest egg.
"There has been a very positive investor
response. We have 30 lined up and 25 more on a
waiting list. And they're all first class
people," Bassett said.
One local investor
is Bill Ireland. "He is bringing us something on
a platter that we just have to take. Hockey will
be goo for the city. This is a great sports city
and we should have professional sports. There's
no question about getting the money from local
people. The proposition John's making to
investors can't lose. Of course you won't make a
lot of money, but that's not what most of us are
after anyway. I'm just interested in Birmingham
having the team," Ireland said.
Next up
is a league meeting on the 29th where Bassett
will pitch his plan to move. |
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McAskile is back to set everything up in
Birmingham for the move from Toronto.
The
team will be known as the Birmingham Bulls,
taking a cue from their former name, the Toronto
Toros.
"The lease hasn't been officially
settled for the Coliseum, and there's some paper
work to be completed in Toronto, but unless
something drastic comes up we're in Birmingham
for good now. The league has to approve transfer
of the franchise at the meeting on the 29th, but
we foresee no problems there, either. I'm here
now to establish an office and get things going.
First thing you know it'll be opening night with
the Atlanta Flames (exhibition on September
21st) and we have a million things to do,"
McAskile said. |
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At a World Hockey Association meeting in
Toronto, league officials vote unanimously to
allow Bassett to move his franchise to
Birmingham.
Also, the club said that
negotiations with Coliseum management has been
going well enough to reach a verbal agreement. A
signed agreement should occur any day.
Season ticket sales are going at a brisk pace
with 1,100 sold in two days. "That's
unbelievable. And I expect it to really
accelerate now that everything is official. I'm
really excited. I couldn't be more fired up. I
can't wait to get some of our players down here
and really get things rolling. I know they feel
as I do, that Birmingham is going to be
something special this fall. Our players are
hungry for a place to call home. We played
second fiddle to the Maple Leafs in Toronto.
They have been there 40 years. Maple Leaf
Gardens is their arena and we were treated like
dirt. They robbed us for rent, gave us the worst
playing dates and the people who worked at The
Gardens couldn't care less about us," McAskile
said.
In other league news, the Cleveland
Crusaders will be moving to Hollywood (FL). A
12th team is expected to play but a last-ditch
effort is underway to save the San Diego
Mariners from dropping out of the league. |
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October
1976 |
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1976-77 World Hockey
Association |
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Eastern
Division |
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Western
Division |
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Birmingham
Bulls |
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Calgary
Cowboys |
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Cincinnati
Stingers |
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Edmonton
Oilers |
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Indianapolis
Racers |
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Houston
Aeros |
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Minnesota
Fighting Saints |
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Phoenix
Roadrunners |
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New
England Whalers |
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San
Diego Mariners |
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Quebec
Nordiques |
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Winnipeg
Jets |
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November 1976 |
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Bulls head coach Gilles Leger says he my give up
that job to concentrate on his other job as
Bulls General Manager. Leger has recently had
extra front office work given to him because the
Bulls owner, John Bassett, is in a hospital in
Canada awaiting major surgery.
Leger said
Pat Kelly, currently the head coach of the
Bulls' Charlotte Checkers farm club, will be in
town for possible placement with the Bulls. "A
lot of my time now is consumed with front office
details. We'll make a decision on whether Kelly
will be an assistant coach or take over the
team. I'll take the situation to John Bassett
and he will do what needs to be done," Leger
said. |
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???
1977 |
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Pat Kelly quits to
become the head coach of the National Hockey League's Colorado Rockies.
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.
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January
1978 |
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The Cincinnati Enquirer dubs the Bulls the
"Birmingham Bullies" because of their physical
nature of their play, especially when playing
against the Cincinnati Stingers. |
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The WHA lifts the six-month suspension they had on owner John Bassett for signing underage
Kenny Linseman to a contract. However, it took some slick maneuvering on
Bassett's part. At the end of the league meeting during the All-Star game
in Quebec, President Howard Baldwin asked if there was "any
additional business?" Before Howard could gavel the meeting closed,
Bassett stood and said, "I have a motion to make, Mr.
President." Baldwin responds, "Yes, John, what's your
business?" Bassett says, "I move that the suspension of the
owner of the Birmingham Bulls be cancelled and he be allowed to resume all
the normal duties of running his club." As the other owners looked at
each other, Chairman of the Board Ben Haskins said, "I second that
motion." Baldwin had no choice but to follow with, "It has been
moved and seconded that the suspension of the owner of the Birmingham
Bulls be terminated. Anyone disagree?" No owner did, and Bassett
walked out back in control of his team. |
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The WHA formally asks
the Bulls to stop a local performer from singing "Dixie" before
face-off. Opponents have complained about it and apparently it
"incites the crowd". The Bulls rightfully refuse the request. |
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Bassett states that the rumors of the WHA's
demise are exaggerated. Bassett said, "There's a
gigantic difference in the WHA and the WFL,
and it's summed up in one word - 'ownership'. There's nobody in our league
that's going broke. Every team has the capacity of ownership to play as
long as it wants to. The resources are there. The question is, do the
owners want to use these resources in this line of business? There's no
way I can see there not being a hockey team here next year. If there's no
WHA, I know the American Hockey League would grab Birmingham in a hurry. I
can't answer whether there'll be a WHA or not, but I certainly know New
England, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Quebec and Houston are gonna play pro hockey.
If we keep going like we are now, we're gonna play, too. I don't know what
league." |
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February
1978 |
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The WHA's Board of Trustees are meeting in
Chicago to discuss their future. Edmonton owner
Peter Pocklington says they've agreed to "regroup and to find a way to
strengthen some of the weak franchises. All the people involved agreed to
work at solidifying their own product. We don't want to cater to the whims
of the National Hockey League (NHL) like we did last year." |
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Cincinnati police arrested Bulls defenseman
Frank Beaton between the first and second
periods of their game against the Stingers.
Beaton was charged with assault in March of 1976
in an incident at a gas station. Gabriel Fieno, the station attendant, contends that Beaton broke his cheek bone in
a fight when he accidentally spilled gasoline on Beaton's Corvette. Beaton
says Fieno did it on purpose then refused to clean it up. The Stingers
Head Coach, Jacques Demers, posted the $2,000 bond himself stating,
"We stick together when it comes to things like this." The 6
Cincinnati policemen that forced their way into the Bulls locker room had
their billy clubs out and ready. Beaton hid in an equipment storage room
while the officers demanded identification from the other players. Beaton
ultimately surrendered and was led away in handcuffs. |
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At a team owner's meeting in New York, a vote was taken whether to allow
teams to petition the NHL for membership. The proposal passed 7-1, with
Bulls owner John Bassett being the only no vote. Houston, Winnipeg,
Edmonton and New England say they will apply. Bassett said, "In my
opinion, this latest action is not in the best interest of the WHA. The timing is
totally wrong, and it's the wrong kind of move to make at this time. I see
no reason to get players and fans worried and concerned right now.
Legally, there's no way any team in the WHA can go into the NHL without
the permission of every other team, and we haven't given permission to
anybody. I wish them good luck in their efforts to join the other league,
but they have to deal with us before they get in. We're in the WHA, and
until I see something to change my mind, it's the WHA, period." |
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June
1978 |
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Bassett announces that John Brophy will be the new head coach
after Glen Sonmor quit to become the Director of Player Personnel with the
Minnesota North Stars. 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.
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Indianapolis Racers owner Nelson Skalbania signs 17 year-old Wayne Gretzky to a contract for
$1.75 million. 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."
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Bassett releases Tony McKegney to the NHL's Buffalo
Sabres. "I'm just not gonna put out that kind of dough for players anymore.
Plus, I had a lot of season ticket holders calling up and complaining
because he is black. It is the most negative reaction I've had since I've
been in Birmingham. I didn't know it was here anymore. It's very
discouraging. I gave him permission to go to Buffalo. I'd rather he go
there than come here," Bassett said. 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."
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The NHL announces they will not be merging with
the WHA this year. |
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July
1978 |
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Bassett asks for the floor at the beginning of
the WHA's three day meeting and promptly
withdrew the Bulls $300,000 from the league's
escrow. Bassett said, "What is our future in the WHA? I can't answer that. If
somebody will give me a definite answer concerning the economic future of
this league, then a decision will be easy to make. But it appears our
future is a year-to-year thing. Next summer it'll be the same thing over
again. The same teams will go the the NHL, we'll be unable to sell season
tickets because of the resulting confusion and end up dumping another
million and a half bucks down the drain." |
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Bassett announces the Bulls will remain in the WHA. Bassett left the
decision up to his limited partners. Bassett said, "I guess they're
learning professional sports is an addiction." 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."
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Bassett and Toronto lawyer Alan Eagleson
are sued by the owners of the
London Knights and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, two major junior
league hockey teams, for inducing underage players to breach their
existing contracts and turn professional. |
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September
1978 |
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1978-79 World Hockey
Association
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Birmingham
Bulls |
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Cincinnati
Stingers |
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Edmonton Oilers |
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Indianapolis
Racers |
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New
England Whalers |
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Quebec
Nordiques |
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Winnipeg Jets |
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December
1978 |
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Indianapolis Racers owner Nelson Skalbania announces the Racers will be ceasing operations
immediately. |
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March
1979 |
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The NHL votes down a proposal for merger by four
of the WHA's six teams. Of the vote, Bassett
said, "The courtship with the NHL is over." The WHA also announced a
five-year plan to strengthen their franchises and not petition the NHL again. |
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When the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Bulls 4-0,
they ended one of the longest but least-known
streaks in professional sports. The shutout was
the first time the franchise had ever been
shutout at home, through seven years and two
hundred and seventy games. The streak dates back
to the franchise's beginning as the Ottawa
Nationals, then through the years as the Toronto Toros and now as the
Birmingham Bulls. All teams were part of the WHA. |
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WHA
President Howard Baldwin announces that the NHL has reconsidered the
merger bid by the four WHA franchises saying, "It's done this time. It's
going to happen." An economic blockade by beer drinkers forced the
about-face by the NHL. One of the NHL franchises voting against the
merger, the Montreal Canadians, is owned by one of Canada's largest beer
makers, Molson Breweries. Hockey fans in Edmonton, Winnipeg and Quebec
simply stopped drinking Molson products. Gunfire at one of the Winnipeg
breweries was also reported. |
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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."
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April
1979 |
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The NHL's Atlanta Flames announce the Tulsa
Oilers of the Central Hockey League have broken
their affiliation with them and the Flames plan
to move their farm team to either Birmingham or
Houston. Flames General Manager Cliff Fletcher
said Houston is ready to go. |
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Atlanta Flames Assistant General Manager David Poile said the Flames
will
be looking for people in both cities as financial partners. "We've
done it both ways in the past, sometimes with the Flames owning the team
outright and sometimes with some local ownership. We feel it is always to
our advantage to have people in the city involved in the operation of the
club. It helps create interest when you have someone there helping to run
it, rather than an owner from Canada or Atlanta," Poile said. |
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May
1979 |
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 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.
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December
1979 |
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Ronald Ryan, the Cincinnati Stingers General
Manager, announces that the Stingers will be
folding "effective immediately". |
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February
1980 |
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O. Wayne Acord, part owner of the Salt Lake City Golden Eagles, and
his wife, Lorraine, are found bound, gagged and shot in the head at their
home in Utah. |
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July
1980 |
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The Calgary Flames and the Birmingham Bulls
announce Paul Henderson will return to the Bulls
as a playing assistant coach. |
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October
1980 |
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1980-81 Central Hockey League |
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North
Division |
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South
Division |
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Indianapolis
Checkers |
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Birmingham
Bulls |
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Oklahoma
City Stars |
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Dallas
Black Hawks |
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Salt
Lake City Golden Eagles |
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Fort
Worth Texans |
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Tulsa
Ice Oilers |
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Houston
Apollos |
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Wichita
Wind |
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January
1981 |
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The Houston Apollos announce they are folding.
The CHL dissolves the current division
alignments.
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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." |
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February
1981 |
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Frank Falkenburg, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Magic City
Sports, and Bulls President Pete McAskile announce to the Calgary Flames
that the Bulls are folding. Falkenburg said, "We were just never out
of the hole this year. I hold Calgary totally to blame for never giving us
a competitive team. We went to them this morning for financial assistance
and they have no interest in us continuing to play. We put $60,000 into
the franchise the last 3 weeks just to keep it going. But we are at the
point where we can no longer pump money into the team. If we had had big
gates Thursday and Friday we could have made the road trips and probably
finished the season. We will close it as clean as we possibly can. We
intend to pay all our outstanding obligations. We will probably lose
between $150,000 and $175,000 by shutting down now. That's on top of about
$200,000 we lost last year."
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."
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