Harlem Globetrotters

Born out of the Chicago amateur basketball scene in the late 1920s, the Harlem Globetrotters, comprised of African American male athletes, morphed from a semipro basketball team into an international sensation. Their journey from barnstorming tours in the midwest to playing sold-out venues abroad was not without controversy as the Globetrotters have been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes of African Americans. Despite this scrutiny, the Globetrotters have overcome many barriers facing African Americans and succeeded in becoming a world-renowned organization.

Initially, the Globetrotters grew their fan base through barnstorming tours around the midwest region from Illinois to Montana, often playing in small, predominantly white towns. It was during this time that the Globetrotters perfected not only their basketball skills but also the showmanship that set them apart from other barnstorming basketball teams. For example, hidden-ball tricks, skits, and the Magic Circle became significant components of their skill set, as both basketball players and entertainers. These routines, however, led to criticism in later years.

Eventually, their on-court success secured the Globetrotters a place in nationwide competitions such as the College All-Star tour and victories against the Harlem Rens in 1947 (another highly successful African American team) and National Basketball Association (NBA) champion Minneapolis Lakers in 1948. Though these victories situated the Globetrotters as one of the preeminent teams of the time period, they still endured discrimination. During the College All-Star tour, the African American players on the Globetrotters were paid less than their white counterparts on opposing teams and stayed in segregated housing. Until the NBA integrated, the Globetrotters still suffered the indignities of racism and discrimination.

The integration of the NBA was crucial in that the Globetrotters faced increased competition for the best African American players while playing a diminishing number of games against quality opponents. Prior to integrating, the NBA was a fledgling league during the late 1940s and often played doubleheaders with the Globetrotters, who actually were the main attraction. This changed in 1950, when the Boston Celtics chose Chuck Cooper, the Washington Capitols selected Earl Lloyd, and the New York Knicks selected Nat “Sweet-water” Clifton, all former Globetrotters, during the NBA draft. The Globetrotters no longer held a monopoly on the best African American players and it began to affect the organization financially.

By the 1970s, ownership had changed several times and, following the death of owner Abe Saperstein, the Globetrotters were in financial trouble. As popularity of the Globetrotters began to wane, the team could not maintain the financial success they experienced during the previous decades. After two decades of instability, the Globetrotters set a new precedent, becoming the first major professional sports franchise in the United States to have an African American owner and chief executive officer (CEO), when former player and successful businessman Mannie Jackson purchased the team in 1993.

Transcript

• The Harlem Globe Trotters go into their famous warm-up circle before a turnout of 18,000 at Madison Square Garden. [Music] They will not go into high gear with their basketball before the regular game. But in the club Roy Campenalla is already getting his kicks. It is a benefit game against the Philadelphia Spas, and the Trotters show they can play it straight and slick, as if anybody doubted or cared. It is the point comedy of Meadowlark Lemon, Wilt Chamberlain and company that draws the crowds and baffles the opposing team, and the referee. It is good natured clowning; they will even give the ball away to set up another bout of play. But that happens. Nothing is sacred and nobody is safe when they cut loose. Meadowlark talks himself into a foul shot. When he gets on the line, watch those feet. He shoots—uh-huh – really foul. Anything for a laugh, and let the ref fall where he may.

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