The Harlem Globetrotters, the legendary team that travels the planet with its basketball show, sent a letter to the commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silver, requesting that they add it “right now” as a new franchise in the best league on the planet. The order comes just at a time when there are rumors of expansion and more equipment could be added. Will be?
Founded in 1926, the Harlem Globetrotters became a show team due to the great difference they had with other groups of the time. At the time, they even faced (and beat) the NBA champions, as they wield in their letter, and now they claim a place among the best, claiming that “We can present a talented team on par with today’s professionals.”
The Harlem Globetrotters with Pope Francis in 2015.
The letter from the HG to the NBA:
“Dear NBA. It’s been a while since our last game. 72 years to be exact. But we still remember that day in 1949 when we faced their champions, the Lakers. And for the second year in a row we were victorious. It was kind of weird because back then in America black players were literally excluded from playing with and against white players.
We continue to fill stadiums and grow basketball around the world. When the NBA struggled to attract more than a few thousand fans, we had no problem sharing the bill. As the NBA grew, they were able to attract the best black players, remember who helped the NBA when it started.
Don’t get us wrong we love everything they are achieving and we are proud of how our players are standing up to help their communities. But don’t forget, basketball wouldn’t be what it is today without us. You play in 17 countries, we in 122. The world would never have heard of Dr. James Naismith if it weren’t for the Globetrotters. We have spread the game.
So if they really believe what they say about social justice they cannot act as if we don’t exist. It is time to rewrite history. It is time for the NBA to honor what the Globetrotters have done for our sport.
The Harlem Globetrotters, basketball and show in equal parts.
Based on what we have already tried, We can present a talented team on par with today’s professionals and we want the opportunity to do so.
As a world-renowned and legendary professional basketball team, we asked NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the owners for all the necessary powers to make the Harlem Globetrotters an official NBA franchise. Not now. Right now”.