New York Apples

New York Apples
SportTeam tennis
FoundedMay 22, 1973 (1973-05-22)
Folded1978
LeagueWorld TeamTennis
DivisionEastern
Team historyNew York Sets
1974–1976
New York Apples
1977–1978
Based inNew York, New York
StadiumNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
(Capacity: 16,170)
Madison Square Garden
(Capacity: 17,812)
Felt Forum
(Capacity: 3,773)
ColorsBrunswick Green, Imperial Red    
OwnerSol Berg
PresidentSol Berg
Head coachFred Stolle
General managerElla Musolino
Championships2 – 1976, 1977
Division titles2 – 1976, 1977
Playoff berths4 – 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978
BroadcastersWPIX-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 to match the names of other successful New York sports teams including the New York Mets baseball team, the New York Jets football team, and the New York Nets basketball team. They 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

Main article: 1974 New York Sets 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]

See also

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. ^ a b "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.