Over and Back: The pioneers of women’s pro basketball

We discuss the short-lived Women’s Professional Basketball League and the pioneers of women’s pro basketball, including Karen Logan, Molly Bolin, Ann Meyers and Nancy Lieberman, in the return of Over and Back’s Basketball Mysteries of the 1970s series.

Karra Porter, author of “Mad Seasons: The Story of the First Women’s Professional Basketball League, 1978-1981,” joins the show to talk about how she became interested in the story of the WBL, the rise of women’s college basketball in the 1970s, the importance of the U.S. women’s team earning silver at the 1976 Olympics, how many women had to develop skills independently with the lack of organized girls programs and how the WBL was formed by Bill Byrne.

We discuss Logan’s role in popularizing women’s basketball and beating Jerry West in H-O-R-S-E on national TV, Bolin’s amazing shooting displays, Meyers signing a contract with the Indiana Pacers and the reaction from both the NBA and WBL, Lieberman’s spectacular all-around play, blatant sexism in media coverage, racial issues in promoting players, how the league expanded too quickly, the challenging travel conditions and lack of pay, how Bolin’s career was used against her in a landmark divorce case, the Minnesota Fillies walking off the court before tipoff, and the tragic murder of Connie Kunzmann.

Listen: NBA players making statistical history

We also talk about other key WBL players like Rita Easterling, Janie Fincher and Carol Blazejowski and go through some of the best stories from the league, including Wanda Szeremeta taking money directly from the ticket booth, Nancy Wellen being traded 30 minutes before a game and suiting up for the other team, and the California Dreams being sent to “charm school.” We also discuss the legacy of the WBL, including several of its alumni playing important roles in the WNBA and the WBL ball becoming the standard women’s ball in all levels of competition.

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