New York Apples

New York Apples
Sport Team tennis
Founded May 22, 1973 (1973-05-22)
Folded 1978
League World TeamTennis
Division Eastern
Team history New York Sets
1974–1976
New York Apples
1977–1978
Based in New York, New York
Stadium Madison Square Garden
(Capacity: 17,812)
Felt Forum
(Capacity: 3,773)
Colors

Brunswick Green, Imperial Red

         
Owner(s) Sol Berg
President Sol Berg
Head coach Fred Stolle
General Manager Ella Musolino
Championships 21976, 1977
Division titles 21976, 1977
Playoff berths 41975, 1976, 1977, 1978
Broadcasters WPIX-TV Channel 11
MSG
Home Box Office
WVNJ-AM 620

The New York Apples were a charter franchise of World Team Tennis (WTT). The team was founded by Jerry Saperstein who sold it to New York businessman Sol Berg during its inaugural 1974 season. The team was originally known as the New York Sets and won the 1976 WTT championship under that name led by Billie Jean King. Prior to the 1977 season, the defending champion Sets held a contest to choose a new name for the team, and Apples was selected.[1] With their new name, the Apples produced the same results winning their second consecutive WTT title in 1977.[2] On October 27, 1978, Berg folded the Apples after their fifth season.[3] WTT suspended operations of the league shortly thereafter.

Franchise history

Inaugural season

New York Sets logo used from 1974 to 1976.

On May 7, 1974, the Sets lost their inaugural match on their home court at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in the hamlet of Uniondale in the town of Hempstead, New York to the Hawaii Leis, 29–25.[4]

After opening the season with two losses at home, the Sets got their first victory in franchise history on the road beating the Cleveland Nets, 31–30, on May 12, 1974. Following the win over the Nets, the Sets lost 10 straight matches to fall to 1–12. The Sets finished the season in last place in the Atlantic Section with a record of 15 wins and 29 losses.[2]

References

  1. Walz, Steve K. (July 6, 1978). "The Inner Core of World Team Tennis — The New York Apples". The Hour. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "1978 New York Apples Media Guide". New York Apples. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  3. Kirshenbaum, Jerry (November 6, 1978). "A Question of Resolve". Sports Illustrated.
  4. "1974 WTT - New York Sets vs Hawaii Leis". NBC News. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
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