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Mad Seasons: The Story of the First Women's Professional Basketball League, 1978-1981
As the popularity of women’s basketball burgeons, Karra Porter reminds us in Mad Seasons that today’s Women’s National Basketball Association, or WNBA had its origins in a ragtag league twenty years earlier. Porter tells the story of the Women’s Professional Basketball League WBL, which pioneered a new era of women’s sports.
Formed in 1978, the league included the not-so-storied Dallas Diamonds, Chicago Hustle, and Minnesota Fillies. Porter’s book takes us into the heart of the WBL as teams struggled with nervous sponsors, an uncertain fan base, and indifferent sportswriters. Despite bouncing paychecks, having to sleep on floors, and being stranded on road games, the players endured and thrived.
Karra Porter brings to life the pioneers of the “Machine Gun” Molly Bolin, who set lasting scoring records—then faced an historic custody battle because of her basketball career; Connie Kunzmann, a popular player whose murder rocked the league; Liz Silcott, whose remarkable talents masked deeper problems off the court; Ann Meyers, who went from an NBA tryout to the league she had rebuffed; Nancy Lieberman, whose flashy play and marketing savvy were unlike anything the women's game had ever seen.
A story of hardship and sacrifice, but also of dedication and love for the game, Mad Seasons brings the WBL back to life and shows in colorful detail how this short-lived but pioneering league ignited the imagination of a new generation of female athletes and fans.
Formed in 1978, the league included the not-so-storied Dallas Diamonds, Chicago Hustle, and Minnesota Fillies. Porter’s book takes us into the heart of the WBL as teams struggled with nervous sponsors, an uncertain fan base, and indifferent sportswriters. Despite bouncing paychecks, having to sleep on floors, and being stranded on road games, the players endured and thrived.
Karra Porter brings to life the pioneers of the “Machine Gun” Molly Bolin, who set lasting scoring records—then faced an historic custody battle because of her basketball career; Connie Kunzmann, a popular player whose murder rocked the league; Liz Silcott, whose remarkable talents masked deeper problems off the court; Ann Meyers, who went from an NBA tryout to the league she had rebuffed; Nancy Lieberman, whose flashy play and marketing savvy were unlike anything the women's game had ever seen.
A story of hardship and sacrifice, but also of dedication and love for the game, Mad Seasons brings the WBL back to life and shows in colorful detail how this short-lived but pioneering league ignited the imagination of a new generation of female athletes and fans.
- GenresSportsNonfiction
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2006
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 12, 2022
4.5 stars 🌟
The writing and the pacing could have been better, but this book is important if for no other reason than the content it covers and the reminder of how far we've come in terms of professional women's sports in this country. The content was fascinating and all the first hand accounts of the WBL and primary research done for this book is impressive, making this book an absolute treasure, especially for those interested in women's basketball 🏀
The writing and the pacing could have been better, but this book is important if for no other reason than the content it covers and the reminder of how far we've come in terms of professional women's sports in this country. The content was fascinating and all the first hand accounts of the WBL and primary research done for this book is impressive, making this book an absolute treasure, especially for those interested in women's basketball 🏀
December 29, 2024
Great history of a little known era of women’s basketball! Sure you’ve heard of Nancy Lieberman, Anne Meyers and Carol Blazejowski but how about what about Machine Gun Bolin, Liz the Whiz, Pearl the Earl, the New England Gulls, Chicago Hustle, Iowa Cornets, Minnesota Fillies, Milwaukee Does, a senseless murder, and more?
Strongly recommend for the woman’s hoops fan. Fascinating look at the first attempt of a professional women’s basketball league.
Strongly recommend for the woman’s hoops fan. Fascinating look at the first attempt of a professional women’s basketball league.
February 24, 2024
The Milwaukee Does might be the most Wisconsin thing ever.
An enjoyable (but not comprehensive) look at the first US women's professional basketball league.
An enjoyable (but not comprehensive) look at the first US women's professional basketball league.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews