- 1967
- 1970
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Buccaneers Team Formation
With the founding of the ABA on February 2, 1967, a charter franchise was awarded to a group of seven investors, including Morton Downey, Jr. The group obtained their franchise for $1,000 as opposed to the $30,000 fronted by most other original teams. Charles G. Smither, one of the seven owners, served as team president; another of the investors, Maurice ... -
The End – in New Orleans
The team picked up Wendell Ladner in the draft and rechristened itself the Louisiana Buccaneers, planning to play its home games throughout the state during the 1970 – 1971 season including in New Orleans, Shreveport, Lafayette, Monroe, and Baton Rouge. Like most ABA teams, the Bucs were never on the strong financial ground, and then move to the smaller Tulane ...
History of the Buccaneers
The New Orleans Buccaneers are an iconic team in professional basketball history. Founded as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1967, they were one of eleven teams that comprised the league. The Bucs played their first two seasons in New Orleans before relocating to Memphis and becoming known as the Pros for their final season. Despite only playing three years, they impacted ABA fans across America with their exciting brand of basketball and colorful uniforms—particularly those adorned with stars and stripes!
The Bucs had some talented players during this period, including future Hall-of-Famer Connie Hawkins, who was signed away from rival Pittsburgh Pipers before his rookie season. Other notable names like Jim Eakins, Doug Moe, Charlie Williams, and Warren Jabali rounded out a solid roster that could compete against any other team in the league. They even won two division titles during this short period which is a testament to how competitive they were despite having limited resources compared to other franchises.
Despite not lasting very long or achieving much success beyond winning regular season games here and there, The New Orleans Buccaneers still hold a special place among sports fans who remember them fondly for bringing excitement back into pro basketball when it needed it most after many years without significant national exposure due primarily due to television contracts being unavailable until the 1970s when NBA finally got theirs sorted out allowing more people access than ever before!
Established
1967
City
New Orleans – Memphis – Baltimore
League History
1967 – 1975 / American Basketball Association
Team History
1975 / Baltimore Claws (Only Played three exhibition Game)
1974 – 1975 / Memphis Sounds
1972 – 1974 / Memphis Tams
1970 – 1972 / Memphis Pros
1967 – 1970 / New Orleans Buccaneers
Nickname
Buccaneers – The New Orleans Buccaneers have a long and storied history, dating back to their founding in 1967. But what many fans may not know is the origin of their nickname. It turns out that it has an interesting backstory!
The name was inspired by Jean Lafitte, a famous pirate who operated in the Gulf of Mexico during the early 19th century. Legend has it that he used New Orleans as his base for operations and even helped General Andrew Jackson defend against British forces at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. As such, when choosing a name for its new franchise, local ownership felt strongly about honoring this part of Louisiana's past with “Buccaneers” as its mascot – thus connecting them to Lafitte's legacy while also giving them an exciting identity on which they could build upon into professional football success!
The team embraced this heritage wholeheartedly from day one, introducing Buccaneer-themed logos (including iconic skull & crossbones) and uniforms featuring red & black colors reminiscent of seafaring pirates centuries ago! This combination quickly became synonymous with winning football throughout much of southern Louisiana, helping establish strong fan support before ever playing a single game thanks to clever marketing campaigns highlighting their unique connection between sportsmanship and piracy!
With over 50 years since first taking flight under these sails and five division championships (and counting!), there’s no doubt that The Bucs are here to stay... whether you like it or not!! So if you're looking for swashbuckling NFL action, check out your hometown heroes next time they take the field: You won't be disappointed!!
Championship
ABA Championships 0
Arena
*Emmitsburg, Maryland (Baltimore)*
1975 / St. Mary’s College
*Memphis*
1970 – 1975 / Mid-South Coliseum
*New Orleans*
1969 – 1970 / Tulane Gym
1967 – 1969 / Loyola Field House
Owner
1975 / American Basketball Association Office
1972 – 1975 / Charles O. Finley
1970 – 1972 / P. W. Blake
1967 – 1970 / Morton Downey, Jr., Charles G. Smither and 5 other Owners
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Coaches
1974 – 1975 / Joe Mullaney
1972 – 1973 / Bob Bass
1967 – 1972 / Babe McCarthy
*Blue is this team’s history