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Will Birmingham join the United States Basketball League?

March 19, 1985
Dianne Kirksey, a native of Eutaw, says she and two others have the option to form a United States Basketball League team in Alabama when the league begins its second season in 1986.

The others involved are Dick Barnett and Michael Floyd, co-owners of the New York franchise. "A site has not been picked for Alabama yet, but it will likely be Birmingham," Kirksey said.

Kirksey currently is a media consultant for the USBL's New York franchise. Kirksey will be in charge of the halftime shows for the New York franchise and will syndicate shows for other teams in the league. Kirksey is also an actress, having appeared on television, in movies and on stage. In 1968, she became the first black member of a University of Alabama homecoming court.

The USBL will begin its first season later this year and will mainly operate in the Northeast, but has plans to expand into the South and West next year.

June 1986

			1986                                United States Basketball League
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Gold Coast Stingrays		Jersey Jammers		Springfield Fame		Staten Island Stallions		Tampa Bay Flash
	Westchester Golden Apples		Wildwood Aces

Epilogue
The United States Basketball League bucked the odds and actually had a second season. Unfortunately, Birmingham was not one of the seven teams.

Over the next few years, the league would have teams come and go before finally deciding to cease operations after the 2007 season.

			Teams of the                                United States Basketball League
xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx		xxx
	Adirondack Wildcats 2002 to 2004		Albany Patroons 2007		Atlanta Eagles 1991 to 1993		Atlanta Trojans 1994 to 1999		Atlantic City Seagulls 1996 to 2001
	Brevard Blue Ducks 2001 to 2004		Brooklyn Kings 1999 to 2007		Camden Power 1998		Carolina Cardinals 1996		Cedar Rapids River Raiders 2004
							NEED LOGO
	Columbus Cagerz 1998		Connecticut Colonials 1985		Connecticut Skyhawks 1993 to 1999		Daytona Beach Hooters 1993		Delaware Stars 2007
	Dodge City Legend 2000 to 2007		Empire State Stallions 1991		Florence Flyers 2004		Florida Sea Dragons 2000 to 2002		Florida Sharks 1995 to 1997
	Gary Steelheads 2007		Gold Coast Stingrays 1986		Gulf Coast Sundogs 1999 to 2000		Jackson Jackals 1995		Jackson Wildcats 2007
									NEED LOGO
	Jacksonville Barracudas 1996 to 1998		Jacksonville Hooters 1988 to 1995		Jersey Jammers 1986 to 1987		Jersey Shore Bucs 1988		Jersey Turnpikes 1995
	Kansas Cagerz 1999 to 2007		Long Island Knights 1985 to 1988		Long Island Primetime 2006 to 2007		Long Island Surf 1991 to 2001		Maryland Mustangs 2001
					NEED LOGO
	Memphis Fire 1994 to 1995		Miami Tropics 1987 to 1995		Mississippi Coast Gamblers 1994		Nebraska Cranes 2005 to 2006		New Hampshire Thunder Loons 1996 to 1999
							NEED LOGO
	New Haven Skyhawks 1988 to 1992		New Jersey Flyers 2005		New Jersey Jammers 1985 to 1992		New Jersey Meteors 2007		New Jersey Shorecats 1998 to 2000
	NEED LOGO
	New York Whitecaps 1990		Northeast Pennsylvania Breakers 2006		Oklahoma Storm 2000 to 2007		Palm Beach Stingrays 1988 to 1994		Pennsylvania Valley Dawgs 1999 to 2006
	Philadelphia Aces 1987 to 1990		Philadelphia Power 1997		Philadelphia Spirit 1991 to 1992		Portland Mountain Cats 1996		Portland Wave 1997
	Raleigh Cougars 1997 to 1999		Rhode Island Gulls 1985 to 1987		Springfield Fame 1985 to 1986		St. Joseph Express 2002		St. Louis SkyHawks 2002 to 2004
	Staten Island Stallions 1986 to 1987		Suncoast Sunblasters 1991		Tampa Bay Flash 1986		Tampa Bay Stars 1987		Tampa Bay Sunblasters 1992
									NEED LOGO
	Tampa Bay Windjammers 1996 to 1999		Texas Rim Rockers 2003		Treasure Coast Tropics 1996		Washington Congressionals 1998 to 2000		West Palm Beach Stingrays 1987
	Westchester Golden Apples 1985 to 1986		Westchester Kings 1997		Westchester Stallions 1993 to 1994		Westchester Wildfire 2003 to 2005		Wildwood Aces 1985 to 1986

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Last update: May 22, 2024