Greatness: A sports collaborative timeline
MJ lights up, Bird suffers yet another Setback
March 26th, 1990: Michael Jordan goes 28-29 and posts 61 points against Phoenix in a 121-68 win.
March 29th, 1990: In a practice 3v3 Larry Bird collapses to the floor after slipping on a drive to the basket. It is uncovered he re-injured his knee, and that he may now miss all of next season, a disaster blow to Boston
March 29th, 1990: In a practice 3v3 Larry Bird collapses to the floor after slipping on a drive to the basket. It is uncovered he re-injured his knee, and that he may now miss all of next season, a disaster blow to Boston
March 30, 1990
Even though only six franchises have been granted to so far, the World League of American Football is already generating interest from networks hungry for sports content.
Interested in the daytime rights is ABC Sports. ABC has had experience with alternative leagues in years past, having been the original home of the AFL in the early 60's. And just seven years ago, ABC was the afternoon home of the short-lived USFL. ABC should be the front-runner for the World League's afternoon package. However, you can't underestimate the upstart Fox network, who hope the World League can be a stepping stone to eventually gaining an NFL contract. NBC has pretty much removed itself from the bidding race after outbidding CBS for the NBA contract, which takes effect on Christmas Eve of this year.
For the primetime rights, you'd expect ESPN to be a shoe-in, but look for Turner to try to make a move. Even though the USA Network has lost the rights to the NBA, NHL and other leagues in recent years, USA hopes they can use the World League to revitalize its sports offerings.
Bidding for the afternoon rights: ABC, Fox
Bidding for the primetime rights: ESPN, TBS/TNT, USA Network
Even though only six franchises have been granted to so far, the World League of American Football is already generating interest from networks hungry for sports content.
Interested in the daytime rights is ABC Sports. ABC has had experience with alternative leagues in years past, having been the original home of the AFL in the early 60's. And just seven years ago, ABC was the afternoon home of the short-lived USFL. ABC should be the front-runner for the World League's afternoon package. However, you can't underestimate the upstart Fox network, who hope the World League can be a stepping stone to eventually gaining an NFL contract. NBC has pretty much removed itself from the bidding race after outbidding CBS for the NBA contract, which takes effect on Christmas Eve of this year.
For the primetime rights, you'd expect ESPN to be a shoe-in, but look for Turner to try to make a move. Even though the USA Network has lost the rights to the NBA, NHL and other leagues in recent years, USA hopes they can use the World League to revitalize its sports offerings.
Bidding for the afternoon rights: ABC, Fox
Bidding for the primetime rights: ESPN, TBS/TNT, USA Network
March 31, 1990: While driving in Farmington Hills, Michigan State doctoral student Lawrence (Larry) Nassar is killed in a head-on collision with another driver, who also dies in the crash.
(And with that, I take out one of the most prolific abusers of our time, spare hundreds of abuse victims, and marginally improve the reputation of gymnastics (which still has a lot of abuse). You're welcome.)
(And with that, I take out one of the most prolific abusers of our time, spare hundreds of abuse victims, and marginally improve the reputation of gymnastics (which still has a lot of abuse). You're welcome.)
OOC: A like isn’t enough for this. Take this metaphorical fist-bump as well.
April 1, 1990
The New York Times revealed that former NBA commissioner Gary Bettman had five grams of cocaine in his system when he suspended multiple players in retaliation against said players criticizing his inaction when Michael Jordan was subjected to racist abuse from Indiana Pacer fans.
The New York Times revealed that former NBA commissioner Gary Bettman had five grams of cocaine in his system when he suspended multiple players in retaliation against said players criticizing his inaction when Michael Jordan was subjected to racist abuse from Indiana Pacer fans.
April 3rd, 1990: The WLAF announces three more franchises to play in Paris (owned by Disney Sports, led by Michael Eisner (Disney is looking to build a theme park in Paris in the not-so-distant future)), St. Louis (Owned by James Orthwein) and Birmingham (owned by Bart Starr and Marvin Warner). Names have yet to be determined.
April 4, 1990: A group lead by automaker John DeLorean and Dominos Pizza founder Tom Monaghan approach William Clay Ford about buying a majority stake in the NFL’s Detroit Lions with the Ford and his family staying on board as minority owners. Also, Elvis Enterprises expresses interest in buying the Rams from Georgia Frontiere and potentially moving the team to Memphis in the near future as the LA Raiders look in to building a new stadium.
April 4, 1990: A group lead by automaker John DeLorean and Dominos Pizza founder Tom Monaghan approach William Clay Ford about buying a majority stake in the NFL’s Detroit Lions with the Ford and his family staying on board as minority owners. Also, Elvis Enterprises expresses interest in buying the Rams from Georgia Frontiere and potentially moving the team to Memphis in the near future as the LA Raiders look in to building a new stadium.
April 5, 1990
Updated WLAF Membership
European
London Monarchs (Virgin Sports)
Amsterdam Admirals (Wayne Huizenga)
Paris Phantoms (Disney)
North American East
New York/New Jersey Knights (Stephen M. Ross)
Orlando Thunder (Raj Bhathal)
Birmingham Fire (Bart Starr)
North American West
Los Angeles Avengers (C. David Baker)
Mexico City (Frank Corral)
St. Louis Stallions (James Orthwein)
Only three franchises are left to be granted in the coming days.
Updated WLAF Membership
European
London Monarchs (Virgin Sports)
Amsterdam Admirals (Wayne Huizenga)
Paris Phantoms (Disney)
North American East
New York/New Jersey Knights (Stephen M. Ross)
Orlando Thunder (Raj Bhathal)
Birmingham Fire (Bart Starr)
North American West
Los Angeles Avengers (C. David Baker)
Mexico City (Frank Corral)
St. Louis Stallions (James Orthwein)
Only three franchises are left to be granted in the coming days.
Mine come from an older reference, but thanks for reminding me the date too
April 6, 1990
As football fans anxiously wait to hear which of the last three World League franchises will be granted, ESPN learned of a deadlock among NFL owners deciding whether Barcelona or Frankfurt should get the nod for the last European franchise. A coin flip will determine who gets in for '91 and who will get an expansion team in '92.
As for the last spot in the North American East division, it is a three way tie with Toronto, Columbus and Nashville each wanting a team.
A four way tie, this one for the last North American West franchise, involves Las Vegas, Sacramento, Portland and Utah.
April 7, 1990
Just when it appeared the Rams were headed for Memphis, Paul Tagliabue has approved the sale of the Rams to music mogul David Geffen, who vows to keep the club in Los Angeles.
The future of the NBA's Clippers is now in doubt after the deadly car wreck on Interstate 405 which claimed the life of controversial owner Donald Sterling.
As football fans anxiously wait to hear which of the last three World League franchises will be granted, ESPN learned of a deadlock among NFL owners deciding whether Barcelona or Frankfurt should get the nod for the last European franchise. A coin flip will determine who gets in for '91 and who will get an expansion team in '92.
As for the last spot in the North American East division, it is a three way tie with Toronto, Columbus and Nashville each wanting a team.
A four way tie, this one for the last North American West franchise, involves Las Vegas, Sacramento, Portland and Utah.
April 7, 1990
Just when it appeared the Rams were headed for Memphis, Paul Tagliabue has approved the sale of the Rams to music mogul David Geffen, who vows to keep the club in Los Angeles.
The future of the NBA's Clippers is now in doubt after the deadly car wreck on Interstate 405 which claimed the life of controversial owner Donald Sterling.
Midnight on April 8, 1990: However, the NFL owners at the last second change their minds and reject the sale of the Rams to David Geffen, leaving the door open again as Geffen launches a lawsuit against the league.
April 12, 1990: Lamar Hunt approaches the NBA about moving the Clippers to Kansas City after Donald Sterlings death. He faces a counter offer from entertaiment Mogul Michael Ovitz, who would move the team two a proposed new arena in Anaheim.
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April 15, 1990: David Geffen vs the NFL is settled in an California court with the NFL winning on a 6-3 decision. Reasons citied include that it was the NFL’s decision to change their minds and the contract that would have given Geffen control of the Rams had not been signed yet, as it had planned to been signed hours before the league changed its mind about the sale. Just hours after the case was settled, Elvis Enterprises announced it had gained control of the franchise and would move the team to Memphis for the 1992 season, keeping the team in LA for two more years as the league would agree to a bit of a compromise. This lead to riots by Rams fans across Southern California as outraged fans vowed to boycott the teams last two seasons in Los Angeles.
April 18, 1990
Elvis Presley Enterprises agrees to leave the Rams logo, name, colors and history in Southern California. After the 1991 season, a dispersal draft will be held for 27 NFL teams to select players from the Rams roster. That will be followed by an expansion draft for the "new" Memphis ballclub.
April 19, 1990
A coin toss gave the World League's fourth European team to Frankfurt am Main in West Germany. The team would later be christened as the Frankfurt Galaxy. Barcelona, Spain will be granted an expansion franchise for 1992.
Elvis Presley Enterprises agrees to leave the Rams logo, name, colors and history in Southern California. After the 1991 season, a dispersal draft will be held for 27 NFL teams to select players from the Rams roster. That will be followed by an expansion draft for the "new" Memphis ballclub.
April 19, 1990
A coin toss gave the World League's fourth European team to Frankfurt am Main in West Germany. The team would later be christened as the Frankfurt Galaxy. Barcelona, Spain will be granted an expansion franchise for 1992.
Updated WLAF Membership
European
London Monarchs
Amsterdam Admirals
Paris Phantoms
Frankfurt Galaxy
North American East
NY/NJ Knights
Orlando Thunder
Birmingham Fire
North American West
Los Angeles Avengers
Mexico City
St. Louis Stallions
Now, only two franchises remain up for grabs.
NA East: Nashville drops out due to the Rams' planned relocation to Memphis. That leaves Toronto and Columbus still alive for the fourth franchise in the North American East.
NA West: Sacramento, Las Vegas and Portland are still alive. Salt Lake dropped out due to its season ticket drive falling short of its goal.
European
London Monarchs
Amsterdam Admirals
Paris Phantoms
Frankfurt Galaxy
North American East
NY/NJ Knights
Orlando Thunder
Birmingham Fire
North American West
Los Angeles Avengers
Mexico City
St. Louis Stallions
Now, only two franchises remain up for grabs.
NA East: Nashville drops out due to the Rams' planned relocation to Memphis. That leaves Toronto and Columbus still alive for the fourth franchise in the North American East.
NA West: Sacramento, Las Vegas and Portland are still alive. Salt Lake dropped out due to its season ticket drive falling short of its goal.
Here the final standings for the NBA and NHL for the 1989-90 season
NBA
Eastern Conference
C - Detroit Pistons 57-25
Y- Philadelphia 76ers 53-29
X - Chicago Bulls 54-28
X - Cleveland Cavaliers 50-32
X - New York Knicks 46-36
X - Milwaukee Bucks 45-37
X - Indiana Pacers 43-39
X - Atlanta Hawks 40-42
Boston Celtics 37-45
New Jersey Nets 34-48
Miami Heat 31-51
Washington Bullets 31-51
Charlotte Hornets 23-59
Orlando Magic 15-67
Western Conference
Z - Los Angeles Lakers 60-22
Y - San Antonio Spurs 56-26
X - Portland Trail Blazers 58-24
X - Utah Jazz 55-27
X - Denver Nuggets 51-31
X - Phoenix Suns 50-32
X - Dallas Mavericks 49-33
X - Houston Rockets 45-37
Seattle SuperSonics 41-41
Golden State Warriors 39-43
Sacramento Kings 28-54
Los Angeles Clippers 25-57
Minnesota Timberwolves 17-65
Z = Clinched best record
C = Clinched Conference
Y = Clinched Division
X = Clinched Playoffs
1989-90 NHL Standings
Adams Division
P - Boston Bruins 100 points
X - Montreal Canadiens 96 points
X - Buffalo Sabres 95 points
X - Hartford Whalers 84 points
Quebec Nordiques 32 points
Patrick Division
Y - New York Rangers 89 points
X - Washington Capitals 88 points
X - New Jersey Devils 83 points
X - Pittsburgh Penguins 80 points
Philadelphia Flyers 78 points
New York Islanders 77 points
Snythe Division
Y - Chicago Blackhawks 88 points
X - St Louis Blues 85 points
X - Minnesota North Stars 81 points
X - Toronto Maple Leafs 78 points
Detroit Red Wings 74 points
Norris Division
Z - Calgary Flames 99 points
Y - Edmonton Oilers 94 points
Y - Winnipeg Jets 90 points
Y - Los Angeles Kings 89 points
Vancouver Canucks 59 points
P = Clinched Presidents Trophy
C = Clinched Conference
Z = Clinched Division
Y = Clinched playoffs
NBA
Eastern Conference
C - Detroit Pistons 57-25
Y- Philadelphia 76ers 53-29
X - Chicago Bulls 54-28
X - Cleveland Cavaliers 50-32
X - New York Knicks 46-36
X - Milwaukee Bucks 45-37
X - Indiana Pacers 43-39
X - Atlanta Hawks 40-42
Boston Celtics 37-45
New Jersey Nets 34-48
Miami Heat 31-51
Washington Bullets 31-51
Charlotte Hornets 23-59
Orlando Magic 15-67
Western Conference
Z - Los Angeles Lakers 60-22
Y - San Antonio Spurs 56-26
X - Portland Trail Blazers 58-24
X - Utah Jazz 55-27
X - Denver Nuggets 51-31
X - Phoenix Suns 50-32
X - Dallas Mavericks 49-33
X - Houston Rockets 45-37
Seattle SuperSonics 41-41
Golden State Warriors 39-43
Sacramento Kings 28-54
Los Angeles Clippers 25-57
Minnesota Timberwolves 17-65
Z = Clinched best record
C = Clinched Conference
Y = Clinched Division
X = Clinched Playoffs
1989-90 NHL Standings
Adams Division
P - Boston Bruins 100 points
X - Montreal Canadiens 96 points
X - Buffalo Sabres 95 points
X - Hartford Whalers 84 points
Quebec Nordiques 32 points
Patrick Division
Y - New York Rangers 89 points
X - Washington Capitals 88 points
X - New Jersey Devils 83 points
X - Pittsburgh Penguins 80 points
Philadelphia Flyers 78 points
New York Islanders 77 points
Snythe Division
Y - Chicago Blackhawks 88 points
X - St Louis Blues 85 points
X - Minnesota North Stars 81 points
X - Toronto Maple Leafs 78 points
Detroit Red Wings 74 points
Norris Division
Z - Calgary Flames 99 points
Y - Edmonton Oilers 94 points
Y - Winnipeg Jets 90 points
Y - Los Angeles Kings 89 points
Vancouver Canucks 59 points
P = Clinched Presidents Trophy
C = Clinched Conference
Z = Clinched Division
Y = Clinched playoffs