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The Harlem Globetrotters Want To Form A Team To Join The NBA

The Harlem Globetrotters Want To Form A Team To Join The NBA

The iconic team has penned a personal letter to the NBA commissioner Adam Silver ​requesting to join the league as a new franchise.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

They're arguably one of the most famous basketball teams in history.

Founded in 1926, it tuns out the Harlem Globetrotters is also one of the oldest too.

Now the iconic team, which has played all across the world across 124 different countries, has penned a personal letter to the NBA commissioner Adam Silver requesting to join the league as a new franchise.

Harlem Globetrotters.
PA

"As an organisation whose storied history is already tightly interwoven within that of the NBA, the Harlem Globetrotters are looking for a long overdue seat at the table," Globetrotters GM Jeff Muun said in a statement.

"Our players were instrumental in the integration of the league dating back to 1949. We stood proudly as our players were recruited by NBA teams.

"Now after years of attracting the best Black players, it's time to the NBA recognised our contribution to the game.

"With the league already considering an expansion, the time has come. The Harlem Globetrotters stand ready to negotiate for a franchise.

"So, if you really believe what you've been saying about social justice, going back to 'normal' needs to look different.

"You can't just act like we don't exist anymore. It's time to right the wrongs and rewrite history. It's time for the NBA to honour what the Globetrotters have done for OUR sport, both here in the U.S. and around the globe.

"Based on what we've already proven, we can field a team of talent on par with the pros of today, and we want the chance to do that. As a world renowned and legendary professional basketball team, we petition commissioner Adam Silver, the NBA governors and the powers that be to grant The Original Harlem Globetrotters an NBA franchise. Not now, but right now!"

PA

The Harlem Globetrotters are renowned for their free-flowing style of basketball with wild trick shots and acrobatic stunts.

Oh, and their legendary red, blue and white jersey-shorts combo is known by basketball tragics all around the world.

And with NBA commissioner Silver previously teasing the idea of a 31st team entering the league, you can see why the fan favourite Globetrotters are so eager to put their hands up.

"I think I've always said that it's sort of the manifest destiny of the league that you expand at some point," Silver said back in 2020.

"I'd say it's caused us to maybe dust off some of the analyses on the economic and competitive impacts of expansion. We've been putting a little bit more time into it than we were pre-pandemic. But certainly not to the point that expansion is on the front burner."

That said, Seattle still remains the favourite to take that coveted expansion spot with San Diego, Louisville, Nashville, Vancouver, St Louis, Montreal and - of course - Las Vegas all in the running.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Basketball, NBA, Australia