Earl Foreman
Encyclopedia
Earl Foreman was an American lawyer
and sports executive.
Foreman practiced law in the District of Columbia. He was a minority owner of the Baltimore Bullets
franchise in the National Basketball Association
and also at one time owned an interest in the Philadelphia Eagles
of the National Football League
.
On August 29, 1969 Foreman, with Thomas Shaheen and Louis Diamond, purchased the Oakland Oaks
professional basketball team in the American Basketball Association
. The team was heavily indebted, a situation that would haunt the team until its demise in 1976 just prior to the ABA-NBA merger
. Foreman and his two co-owners paid $2.6 million for the team and moved it to Washington, DC where it became the Washington Caps
for the 1969-1970 ABA season. The Caps brought on Al Bianchi
as head coach and finished that season with a record of 44-40, good for third place in the Western Division. The Caps lost in the first round of the 1970 ABA Playoffs
to the Denver Rockets, 4 games to 3.
For the 1970-71 season Foreman moved the Caps to Virginia
and the team became the Virginia Squires
. Strapped for cash due to debts, the Squires traded Warren Armstrong to the Kentucky Colonels
for a draft pick and cash, and sold Rick Barry
to the New York Nets for $250,000. The Squires finished in first place in the Eastern Division with a 55-29 record. In the 1971 ABA Playoffs
the Squires defeated the New York Nets 4 games to 2 in the first round, but lost the Eastern Division Finals
to the Kentucky Colonels
4 games to 2. With the conclusion of the season, on April 6, 1971, the Squires signed future star Julius Erving
to a 4 year, $500,000 contract.
The Squires finished the 1971-72 season with a record of 45-39, good for second place in the Eastern Division. The Squires defeated The Floridians 4 games to 0 in the first round of the 1972 ABA Playoffs
but then lost the full seven-game Eastern Division Finals
to the New York Nets 4 games to 3. In this season Johnny Kerr
joined the team as administrative vice president.
The Squires finished the 1972-73 season with a 42-42 record which put them in third place in the Eastern Division. The Squires lost in the 1973 Eastern Division Semifinals
4 games to 1 to the Kentucky Colonels
despite Erving's outstanding play. At the conclusion of the season Foreman added George Gervin
to the Squires' roster, putting two future Hall of Famers on the same team.
In August 1973 Foreman, again motivated by the Squires' indebtedness, traded Erving and Willie Sojourner
to the New York Nets for George Carter, the rights to Kermit Washington
and $1 million. The Squires signed center Swen Nater
but then sold Nater to the San Antonio Spurs
for a draft pick and $300,000. Just after Gervin played in the 1974 ABA All-Star Game
(which the Squires hosted) it was announced that Foreman had sold Gervin to the San Antonio Spurs for $225,000. Legal action ensued and Gervin ended up with the Spurs.
By this point the constant selling off of the team's stars had a major effect on the Squires' dwindling fan base. The team finished the 1973-74 season with a record of 28-56 which was good for fourth place in the Eastern Division, but the Squires lost in the first round of the 1973 ABA Playoffs
to the New York Nets, 4 games to 1.
During the ensuing off season Barry Parkhill
of the Squires, angry about bouncing paychecks, filed suit against Foreman, the Squires and the ABA for $24,000 in back pay and $360,000 for anticipated breach of contract. Jack Ankerson
became the Squires' General Manager. The ABA then purchased the Squires franchise. In its last two years the debt-ridden Squires finished 15-69 both seasons, the worst records in ABA history, and failed to make the playoffs. The team came to an end on May 11, 1976 after its failure to pay a $75,000 league assessment. Because of that, the Squires were not a part of the ABA-NBA merger
that took place just weeks later.
In 1977 through 1978 Foreman was instrumental in creating the Major Indoor Soccer League
. Foreman was commissioner of the MISL from 1978 to 1985, and again in 1989.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and sports executive.
Foreman practiced law in the District of Columbia. He was a minority owner of the Baltimore Bullets
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
franchise in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
and also at one time owned an interest in the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
On August 29, 1969 Foreman, with Thomas Shaheen and Louis Diamond, purchased the Oakland Oaks
Oakland Oaks (ABA)
The Oakland Oaks were a charter member of the original American Basketball Association. Formed in February 1967 as the Oakland Americans, the team changed its name to the Oaks prior to play that fall. Playing in the ABA during the 1967-68 and 1968-69 seasons, the team colors were green and gold.The...
professional basketball team in the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
. The team was heavily indebted, a situation that would haunt the team until its demise in 1976 just prior to the ABA-NBA merger
ABA-NBA merger
The ABA–NBA merger was the merger of the American Basketball Association with the National Basketball Association, which after multiple attempts over several years finally occurred in 1976.- Origins of ABA-NBA competition :...
. Foreman and his two co-owners paid $2.6 million for the team and moved it to Washington, DC where it became the Washington Caps
Washington Caps
The Washington Caps were an American Basketball Association team from 1969 through 1970. The franchise had previously been the Oakland Oaks. From 1970 through 1976 the team played as the Virginia Squires.-Origins:...
for the 1969-1970 ABA season. The Caps brought on Al Bianchi
Al Bianchi
Alfred A. “Al” Bianchi was born on March 26, 1932 in Long Island City, New York. He was an NBA professional basketball player, coach and general manager as well as consultant and NBA scout....
as head coach and finished that season with a record of 44-40, good for third place in the Western Division. The Caps lost in the first round of the 1970 ABA Playoffs
1970 ABA Playoffs
The 1970 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1969-1970 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Western Division champion Los Angeles Stars, four games to two in the ABA Finals.The Indiana Pacers...
to the Denver Rockets, 4 games to 3.
For the 1970-71 season Foreman moved the Caps to Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and the team became the Virginia Squires
Virginia Squires
The Virginia Squires were a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association from 1970 until just before the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.-In Oakland :...
. Strapped for cash due to debts, the Squires traded Warren Armstrong to the Kentucky Colonels
Kentucky Colonels
The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did...
for a draft pick and cash, and sold Rick Barry
Rick Barry
Richard Francis Dennis Barry III , better known as Rick Barry, is a retired American professional basketball player. He is considered by many veteran basketball observers to be one of the greatest pure small forwards of all time as a result of his very precise outside shot, uncanny court vision,...
to the New York Nets for $250,000. The Squires finished in first place in the Eastern Division with a 55-29 record. In the 1971 ABA Playoffs
1971 ABA Playoffs
The 1971 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1970-1971 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Utah Stars defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA finals.-Notable...
the Squires defeated the New York Nets 4 games to 2 in the first round, but lost the Eastern Division Finals
1971 ABA Playoffs
The 1971 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1970-1971 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Utah Stars defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA finals.-Notable...
to the Kentucky Colonels
Kentucky Colonels
The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did...
4 games to 2. With the conclusion of the season, on April 6, 1971, the Squires signed future star Julius Erving
Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....
to a 4 year, $500,000 contract.
The Squires finished the 1971-72 season with a record of 45-39, good for second place in the Eastern Division. The Squires defeated The Floridians 4 games to 0 in the first round of the 1972 ABA Playoffs
1972 ABA Playoffs
The 1972 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1971-1972 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion New York Nets, four games to two in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:The...
but then lost the full seven-game Eastern Division Finals
1972 ABA Playoffs
The 1972 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1971-1972 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion New York Nets, four games to two in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:The...
to the New York Nets 4 games to 3. In this season Johnny Kerr
Johnny Kerr
John G. “Red” Kerr was an American basketball player, coach, and color commentator. He played in the NBA from 1954 to 1966, mainly as a member of the Syracuse Nationals...
joined the team as administrative vice president.
The Squires finished the 1972-73 season with a 42-42 record which put them in third place in the Eastern Division. The Squires lost in the 1973 Eastern Division Semifinals
1973 ABA Playoffs
The 1973 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1972-1973 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA Finals.-Notable...
4 games to 1 to the Kentucky Colonels
Kentucky Colonels
The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did...
despite Erving's outstanding play. At the conclusion of the season Foreman added George Gervin
George Gervin
George "The Iceman" Gervin is a retired American professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls...
to the Squires' roster, putting two future Hall of Famers on the same team.
In August 1973 Foreman, again motivated by the Squires' indebtedness, traded Erving and Willie Sojourner
Willie Sojourner
Willard Leon Sojourner was an American basketball player recruited to Weber State University by head coach Dick Motta. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
to the New York Nets for George Carter, the rights to Kermit Washington
Kermit Washington
Kermit Alan Washington is an American former professional basketball player. Washington is best remembered for punching opposing player Rudy Tomjanovich during an on-court fight in 1977. The punch nearly killed Tomjanovich, and it resulted in severe medical problems that ultimately ended his...
and $1 million. The Squires signed center Swen Nater
Swen Nater
Swen Eric Nater is a retired Dutch professional basketball player, primarily in the ABA and NBA.-Basketball career:Nater helped John Wooden's UCLA Bruins win two NCAA titles....
but then sold Nater to the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
for a draft pick and $300,000. Just after Gervin played in the 1974 ABA All-Star Game
1974 ABA All-Star Game
GAME 7: at Norfolk Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, January 30, 1974MVP: Artis Gilmore, Kentucky ColonelsCoaches:* East: Babe McCarthy, Kentucky Colonels* West: Joe Mullaney, Utah Stars-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by Periods:...
(which the Squires hosted) it was announced that Foreman had sold Gervin to the San Antonio Spurs for $225,000. Legal action ensued and Gervin ended up with the Spurs.
By this point the constant selling off of the team's stars had a major effect on the Squires' dwindling fan base. The team finished the 1973-74 season with a record of 28-56 which was good for fourth place in the Eastern Division, but the Squires lost in the first round of the 1973 ABA Playoffs
1973 ABA Playoffs
The 1973 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1972-1973 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA Finals.-Notable...
to the New York Nets, 4 games to 1.
During the ensuing off season Barry Parkhill
Barry Parkhill
Barry Parkhill is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1st round of the 1973 NBA Draft but elected to play in the American Basketball Association instead...
of the Squires, angry about bouncing paychecks, filed suit against Foreman, the Squires and the ABA for $24,000 in back pay and $360,000 for anticipated breach of contract. Jack Ankerson
Jack Ankerson
A native of Neenah, Wisconsin, Jack Ankerson attended Ripon College where he played football, tennis, and basketball, earning all-conference honors in 1963 and 1964 and ranked as one of the small school’s all-time leading scorers....
became the Squires' General Manager. The ABA then purchased the Squires franchise. In its last two years the debt-ridden Squires finished 15-69 both seasons, the worst records in ABA history, and failed to make the playoffs. The team came to an end on May 11, 1976 after its failure to pay a $75,000 league assessment. Because of that, the Squires were not a part of the ABA-NBA merger
ABA-NBA merger
The ABA–NBA merger was the merger of the American Basketball Association with the National Basketball Association, which after multiple attempts over several years finally occurred in 1976.- Origins of ABA-NBA competition :...
that took place just weeks later.
In 1977 through 1978 Foreman was instrumental in creating the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
. Foreman was commissioner of the MISL from 1978 to 1985, and again in 1989.