What would the NBA have become without the Harlem Globetrotters? Halfway between the circus spectacle and the sporting confrontation, the performances of the New York troupe have dazzled the whole world since 1926. They even claim to be the most victorious team in the history of basketball. Not satisfied with this status, the Globetrotters dream of joining the NBA. In an open letter, they detail their request while recalling their heritage.
“Based on what we’ve already proven, we can field a talented team to compete with the pros today, and we want the chance to do that,” the team said in a statement. “As a legendary and world-renowned professional basketball team, we call on Commissioner Adam Silver, NBA executives and the powers that be to grant the Original Harlem Globetrotters an NBA franchise. Not now, but now. ” Letter from the Harlem Globetrotters
To support her request, the NY team recalls how much she left an important mark in professional basketball and how the NBA never really thanked her. The letter returns in particular to significant events in the history of sport and to the importation of moves invented by the Globetrotters. The main complaint against the NBA is the fact that it took advantage of the Globetrotters without ever actually including them in its sporting project.
“But instead of letting us integrate (the NBA), you took our players. The first black player to sign an NBA contract: Nat Sweetwater Clifton, a Globetrotter from Harlem. The first black man to play in an NBA game – Earl Lloyd, another Globetrotter. Although it was difficult to see them go, we were proud of our young black men who made such a big change in the game. We have continued to fill the stadiums and develop basketball around the world. When the NBA was struggling to attract more than a few thousand fans, we agreed to schedule doubleheaders with the Globetrotters (i.e. curtain raiser). As the NBA grew, you were able to attract the best black players, but we remember those who helped the NBA get started. ” the Harlem Globetrotters
The creation of a 31st franchise has been in the works of the NBA for several years. Other projects are being studied, such as the return of the Seattle Supersonics and the establishment of a team in Las Vegas. Recently, the big league announced that Mexico City will have a franchise within its development league, the G-League. It remains to be seen if the NBA will accept to integrate the Harlem Globetrotters into its ranks (We doubt that).
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