Leonard Bloom
Encyclopedia
Leonard Bloom was a dentist
and sports executive in San Diego, California
.
On June 28, 1972 the American Basketball Association
awarded its only expansion franchise to San Diego for an entry fee of $1 million. Leonard Bloom, a dentist and president of the United States Capital Corporation, was the team's owner. Bloom named the team the San Diego Conquistadors
.
Under Bloom's ownership the Conquistadors were unable to secure a major arena in San Diego for their games, and legal action kept famed Conquistadors player-coach Wilt Chamberlain
out of uniform, though he did coach the team. The team made the ABA playoffs in both its first
and second season
, but each year lost in the Western Division Semifinals
to the Utah Stars
.
During the 1974-75 season Bloom sold 50% of the Conquistadors and other properties to investors for $1.7 million. On February 27, 1975 the ABA took control of the Conquistadors franchise.
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
and sports executive in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
On June 28, 1972 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:...
awarded its only expansion franchise to San Diego for an entry fee of $1 million. Leonard Bloom, a dentist and president of the United States Capital Corporation, was the team's owner. Bloom named the team the San Diego Conquistadors
San Diego Conquistadors
The San Diego Conquistadors, nicknamed the "Q's", were an American Basketball Association team based in San Diego, California. They were the only expansion team in the history of the ABA. The team played from 1972 to 1975. They were replaced in the ABA by the San Diego Sails.-San Diego...
.
Under Bloom's ownership the Conquistadors were unable to secure a major arena in San Diego for their games, and legal action kept famed Conquistadors player-coach Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA...
out of uniform, though he did coach the team. The team made the ABA playoffs in both its first
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...
and second season
1974 ABA Playoffs
The 1974 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1973-1974 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion New York Nets defeating the Western Division champion Utah Stars, four games to one in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:A one game...
, but each year lost in the Western 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...
to the Utah Stars
Utah Stars
The Utah Stars was an American Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major professional basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround.-History:...
.
During the 1974-75 season Bloom sold 50% of the Conquistadors and other properties to investors for $1.7 million. On February 27, 1975 the ABA took control of the Conquistadors franchise.