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49-580: The Orange County Breakers are a World TeamTennis (WTT) franchise founded in 2003, owned by Laguna Beach businessman Eric Davidson. The Breakers won the WTT Championship in 2004, 2017 and 2021. In 2014, the franchise moved to Greater Austin , Texas , where it was known as the Austin Aces . On December 14, 2015, the Aces announced that the team would move back to Orange County, California for

98-447: A no-line court , each match consisted of five sets. Each set featured a different configuration (men's singles, men's doubles, women's singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles). Prior to each match, coaches would decide the order in which the sets would be played. Each player on a team usually played in at least one of the five sets. Scoring was no-advantage; there was no requirement to win a game by two points; at deuce , whoever scores

147-477: A 2022 season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic . However, they promised to return in 2023 with new expansion teams, but as of 2024 , this has not occurred. References: Current WTT teams are shown in bold , non-championship teams are shown in italics . Dennis Murphy (ice hockey) Dennis Arthur Murphy (September 4, 1926 – July 15, 2021) was an American sports entrepreneur who helped co-found

196-463: A close friend of future Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. Hardy had also attended the University of Southern California with Murphy, and he asked for his fellow alum's help in pursuing a team for Anaheim's new stadium (set to house Gene Autry's California Angels of Major League Baseball ) for the new American Football League . Anaheim's proposed team was quashed in 1960 when Al Davis , as one of

245-551: A league, the American Basketball Association, that eventually merged several teams into the NBA. The ABA became famous for its three-point shot, slam dunk and red, white and blue basketball... not to mention players like "Dr. J." Julius Erving , Rick Barry , George Gervin , Connie Hawkins , and many others. In 1967, ABA Commissioner George Mikan presided over the league's 11 teams in the inaugural season:

294-539: A style of play that forced the evolution of the entrenched incumbent. Among the many visionary rules and promotional concepts introduced by Murphy include the 3-point shot (ABA), the Slam-Dunk Contest (ABA), team cheerleaders (ABA), the first $ 1 million contract (WHA), and he paved the path for the ever-growing wave of European and Russian hockey players that now play in North America. Murphy's WHA and

343-437: A switch to a deep blue playing surface and gray outer court. In partnership with DecoTurf, these colors were determined to be the best for livestreaming and television. WTT was founded in 1973 by Dennis Murphy , Dick Butera, Fred Barman, Jordan Kaiser, and attorney and promoter Larry King , each of whom organized and owned the various participating teams of the fledgling professional tennis league. Murphy had previously founded

392-409: A trendsetter for the rest of the tennis world. The Indian Wells Masters has purple courts. Over time, lines were introduced to WTT's courts, purple replaced the brown and they reverted to traditional solid-colored courts. But in 2006, the league returned full-time to the signature calico/checkerboard pattern. In 2019, the league made efforts to modernize and update its look and branding, including

441-571: The American Basketball Association (1967–1976) (with Gary Davidson ), the World Hockey Association (1972–1979), the original World TeamTennis (1973–1978) with Larry King , Roller Hockey International (1992–1999), and several other trend-setting amateur and professional sports concepts and events. Each of his innovations exhibited ground-breaking marketing and promotional tactics, new rules, and

490-646: The California Dream . On January 13, 2016, WTT announced that the California Dream franchise had been terminated. On February 17, 2016, the Boston Lobsters had ceased operations and had been replaced with a new franchise called the New York Empire . In March 2017, Billie Jean King announced the sale of her majority share in WTT to venture capitalist Mark Ein , the founder and owner of

539-534: The GI Bill majoring in economics. He was a one-term mayor of Buena Park in Orange County, California (April 15, 1958 to July 17, 1959 ), before becoming a marketing executive for one of California's biggest civil engineering firms, Voorheis, Trindle, and Nelson. In 1958, Murphy was elected and began to serve as a one-term mayor of Buena Park, California ; but his career path changed when he met Jim Hardy,

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588-716: The Inglewood Forum in Los Angeles. In 1976 the West All-Stars, led by Chris Evert and Betty Stöve , capped an incredible comeback when they defeated Billie Jean King and Evonne Goolagong in a super tiebreaker, 5–4, giving the West a stunning 28–27 overtime victory at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum. After trailing at one stage by 24–17, the West, led by Stove and Dianne Fromholtz , won

637-598: The NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL's Los Angeles Kings ), and for Bob Kraft (eventual owner of the NFL's New England Patriots and MLS's New England Revolution ). WTT also held annual All-Star games for the seasons from 1975 to 1978. Marty Riessen (Cleveland) and Greer Stevens (Boston) won Most Valuable Players (MVP) honors for the inaugural all-star gala won by the East, 28–21, at

686-616: The Pittsburgh Pipers , Minnesota Muskies , Indiana Pacers , Kentucky Colonels , New Jersey Americans , New Orleans Buccaneers , Dallas Chaparrals , Denver Rockets , Houston Mavericks , Anaheim Amigos and Oakland Oaks . "Ultimately, four ABA teams were absorbed into the older league: the New York Nets , Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs . Two other clubs, the Kentucky Colonels and

735-662: The San Diego Aviators . On February 4, 2014, the Sacramento Capitals were relocated to Las Vegas and renamed the Las Vegas Neon. On March 5, 2014, the Las Vegas Neon franchise was terminated, leaving the league with seven teams. On February 23, 2015, WTT announced that a new ownership group had taken control of the Texas Wild and moved the team to Citrus Heights, California , renaming it

784-606: The Spirits of St. Louis were disbanded upon the merger. A third, the Virginia Squires , had folded less than a month earlier, missing out on the opportunities that a merger might have provided." The ABA folded after its 1976 season, but Murphy had been working on two other professional sports leagues, the World Hockey Association and World Team Tennis. The WHA debuted in 1972 and ran through 1979 and

833-548: The Vegas Rollers . On October 23, 2019, the league announced it would be awarding a record $ 5 million in prize money, including an additional $ 1 million for the postseason, during its 45th season and would be expanding again, adding two new franchises in 2020. In February 2020, the league announced its expansion to nine teams for the 2020 season with the Chicago Smash . In June 2020, WTT announced it would be

882-750: The Women's Sports Foundation and the Kauai-Loves-You Triathlon in Hawaii. King was once married to tennis star Billie Jean King . Bellehumeur had his hand in many inventions and was on the board of directors for the Port of Long Beach, California. Murphy was named RHI's president, Bellehumeur was the chairman of the board, and King became the league's general counsel. Murphy, Bellehumeur and King converted Bellehumeur and Murphy's preexisting corporation, World Sports Management, Inc., into RHI, Inc., and

931-551: The World Hockey Association , and gave a number of WHA club owners preferential options on WTT franchises. Charles "Chuck" Reichblum (now popularly known as "Dr. Knowledge"), industrialist John H. Hillman III, and lawyer William "Bill" Sutton, who became the owners of the Pittsburgh Triangles , had, in 1972, founded the similar National Tennis League (NTL), a forerunner to WTT and Reichblum's brainchild. Founding members of WTT were reported to have been invited to join

980-744: The 2016 season and be renamed the Orange County Breakers. In 2016, the Breakers played their home matches at Breakers Stadium at the Newport Beach Tennis Club . In 2017, the Breakers returned to playing at the Palisades Tennis Club, the venue where they played from 2003 to 2006. The Breakers raised the King Trophy in 2004, 2017 and 2021 as WTT Champions. The 2005, 2006 and 2016 Breakers reached

1029-692: The ABA competed directly with the entrenched National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association , respectively. Murphy and company enticed one of the game's best players, Bobby Hull , to flee the NHL to the WHA with an unprecedented $ 1 million contract, and “Mr. Hockey,” Gordie Howe , soon followed. Murphy was the commissioner of the WHA for three years, and the Dennis A. Murphy Trophy

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1078-682: The Central Section: Cleveland Nets, Detroit Loves, Pittsburgh Triangles, Toronto-Buffalo Royals. The Western Division consisted of the Gulf Plains Section: Chicago Aces, Florida Flamingos, Houston E-Z Riders, Minnesota Buckskins; and the Pacific Section: Denver Racquets, Hawaii Leis, Los Angeles Strings, San Francisco Golden Gaters. Following the initial 1974 season several teams moved, folded, or failed to meet

1127-609: The French Open denied him the opportunity to become the first male player since Rod Laver to win all four Major singles titles in a calendar year. The league began play in May 1974, with George MacCall as Commissioner of the 16 teams, many with tennis-themed nicknames. The Eastern Division consisted of the Atlantic Section: Baltimore Banners, Boston Lobsters, New York Sets, Philadelphia Freedoms; and

1176-552: The Jets won their third AVCO World Trophy by defeating the Oilers in the final WHA game. Murphy co-founded World Team Tennis(WTT) in 1973 with Larry King , Fred Barman and Jordan Kaiser, and league play began in 1974 with 16 teams, a four-color tennis court, and teams made up of two men and two women. This made WTT the first professional sports league to give equal weight to each man and woman competing for their teams. Elton John wrote

1225-486: The NTL prior to formation of the competing WTT in 1973. In 1974, Billie Jean King began the first WTT season by securing the professional women tennis players. Dr. Leonard Bloom, Arthur Ashe , and Wilt Chamberlain helped to secure the professional men tennis players. Two WTT players, Connors and Goolagong, were not allowed to participate in the 1974 French Open due to their associations with WTT. Connors' exclusion from

1274-578: The WTT Finals. World TeamTennis The league's season normally took place in the summer months. Players from the ATP and WTA would often take a break from their tour schedules to partake in World TeamTennis. WTT was the first professional sports league to grant equal status to each man and woman competing for their teams. Many top tennis players have participated in the league over

1323-661: The Washington Kastles, and Fred Luddy , the founder of ServiceNow and owner of the San Diego Aviators. In January 2019, Carlos Silva became the CEO and ushered in new deals with CBS and ESPN creating the largest-ever audience for WTT on July 21, 2019, on a CBS broadcast. In March 2019, the league announced its expansion to eight teams for the 2019 season, with the creation of the Orlando Storm and

1372-724: The conditions of accepting a merger between the National Football League and the AFL, agreed that no additional team would be permitted in the Los Angeles market alongside the L.A. Rams. Stung by this defeat, Murphy set his sights on pro basketball. In the 1960s, the National Basketball Association consisted of 12 teams, and had successfully fought off a challenge by Abe Saperstein's ( Harlem Globetrotters ) America Basketball League . Teaming up with attorney Gary Davidson, Murphy worked on creating

1421-706: The final set plus two games in overtime to draw the West All-Stars even at 27. Tom Okker (San Francisco) and Dianne Fromholtz (Los Angeles) won MVP honors that year. In the 1977 All Star Game held at the San Diego Sports Arena, Björn Borg (Cleveland–Pittsburgh) and Betty Stöve (Seattle–Portland) captured MVP awards as the East bested the West, 23–18. WTT held its final All-Star event in Las Vegas in 1978. The first league ended play in 1978. League play resumed in 1981 as TeamTennis , with four California teams, expanding to eight teams in 1982. In 2005,

1470-473: The financial requirements of the league, and the league also added one expansion team, the San Diego Friars. For the 1975 season World Team Tennis consisted of 10 teams, and it remained with that number of teams throughout the rest of the existence of the first league. The teams that played from 1974 to 1978 were: WTT was the first professional sports experience for Jerry Buss (eventual owner of

1519-609: The first major professional tennis league to resume operations since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic . The league committed to play the entirety of its 45th season at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia from July 12 through August 2. In March 2021, Carlos Silva stepped down as CEO. The current COO is Allen Hardison. The 2021 season was November 13–28 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. WTT announced it would not hold

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1568-399: The first player or team to win five games, with a nine-point tiebreaker at four-all, and no-ad scoring in women's singles and doubles, men's singles and doubles, and mixed doubles. For much of World Team Tennis' history, its distinct court was an instant symbol for fans to recognize what they were watching. The iconic four-color (calico) court originated in the early 1970s and was unveiled for

1617-482: The league had twelve teams. In 1984, Billie Jean King became Commissioner and major owner of the league, following her retirement from tournament tennis competition. In 1985 a recreational league for non-professionals was added, which was co-branded with the professional league. In 1992, the name of the league was changed back to World TeamTennis . In 2000 the current logo was adopted. In February 2001, Billie Jean King retired as commissioner and Ilana Kloss became

1666-571: The new commissioner. In 2005 and 2006 the league consisted of 12 teams and in 2007 the Hartford FoxForce ceased operations. Prior to the 2008 season, the Houston Wranglers ceased operations and the Washington Kastles joined the league. In the 2009 season, 10 teams competed: Boston, New York Buzz, New York Sportime, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Newport Beach, Sacramento, Springfield, and St. Louis. Sacramento won

1715-434: The next point wins the game. The first team to reach five games wins each set. A nine-point tiebreaker is played if a set reaches four-all. One point is awarded for each game won. If necessary, extended play and a supertiebreaker were played to determine the winner of the match. The original league format included a four-colored tennis court, a 44-contest season, and teams of at least two men and two women. A match consisted of

1764-614: The opportunity to split to the upstart league, and Bobby Hull took full advantage. Hull signed a record 10-year, $ 2.75 million contract, and 66 NHL players followed Hull's lead in the NHL's first year. As in most of Murphy's leagues, franchises appeared and disappeared like figures in Whack-a-Mole. The league finally disappeared in 1979, but not before four teams joined the NHL – the Edmonton Oilers , New England Whalers , Quebec Nordiques , and Winnipeg Jets . On May 20, 1979,

1813-426: The second season in a row to become the first professional sports franchise to go two complete seasons without a loss. Their 32-match winning streak is one shy of the major professional sports record of 33 consecutive wins set by the 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . They began the next season with 2 wins making their streak 34 games, setting the new record. In 2013, World TeamTennis

1862-498: The theme song Philadelphia Freedom for his good friend Billie Jean King . The first league ended play in 1978. In 1988, Murphy moved on to try to create the International Basketball Association . As in all of his leagues, there were tweaks made to the traditional game. The IBA, which began with 12 teams in May, 1988, was limited to players 6′4″ and under. Roller Hockey International (1992–1999)

1911-401: The third season in 1976. It was originally created to eliminate court lines ( no-line court ). Originally, the service boxes were blue and green, the baseline area brown and the doubles alleys maroon. These colors were chosen to represent the different tennis court surfaces: green for grass, blue for hard, maroon for clay and brown for dirt. The league's technicolor playing surface served as

1960-501: The two men retained controlling interest in the new entity, with King as co-founder and part owner. “We were missing one thing – a high-profile hockey man,” Murphy wrote. Ralph Backstrom , who had won six Stanley Cup Championships with the NHL's Montreal Canadiens , was hired as the new league's commissioner. Murphy had known Backstrom from his days as a player in the WHA following his NHL career. Then living in Denver, Colorado, Backstrom

2009-644: The world, rather than being limited to ice arenas. Wow! What a way to finish up my career." Murphy, then 66 years old, was inspired to begin working to develop a new sport. He invited entrepreneur Alex Bellehumeur and Larry King to join him in developing roller hockey at a professional level. King, born in Ohio and raised in California, was an attorney by trade as well as a sports entrepreneur. In addition to helping create World Team Tennis and womenSports, which eventually became Women's Sports Magazine, King helped develop

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2058-590: The year-end championship six times. Before the start of the 2011 season the New York Buzz and the New York Sportimes merged into one New York team, the Sportimes. During the 2011 season the Washington Kastles completed a perfect 16–0 schedule, winning their second championship in three seasons. In 2012, the Washington Kastles completed their second consecutive perfect season, going 16–0 for

2107-423: The years, including Billie Jean King , Rod Laver , Björn Borg , Ilie Nastase, Chris Evert , John McEnroe , Evonne Goolagong , Jimmy Connors , Martina Navratilova , Andre Agassi , Pete Sampras , Michael Chang , Serena Williams , Venus Williams , Lindsay Davenport , Kim Clijsters , Martina Hingis , John Isner , Sam Querrey , Sloane Stephens , Naomi Osaka , and Frances Tiafoe . Originally played on

2156-616: Was Murphy's most recent professional sports league. In his autobiography, |MURPH, The Sports Entrepreneur Man and His Leagues: ABA, WHA, WTT, RHI, IFL, GHA, and Bobby Sox Softball," self-published in 2002, Murphy wrote that one day in 1991, he saw some kids playing roller hockey, and he told his brother John what he had seen: "He informed me that inline skating was a hot ticket and people everywhere of all ages and sizes were playing roller hockey in parks and playgrounds. This immediately appealed to me. Imagine hockey being played on concrete rather than ice. Imagine being able to play hockey anywhere in

2205-763: Was born in Shanghai, China , on 4 September 1926, to a father who worked for Standard Oil and a housewife mother, Murphy and his family moved back to the United States a year before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. A staff sergeant in World War II , Murphy joined the reserves after the war and came out of the Korean War as a captain. Murphy attended the University of Southern California on

2254-601: Was presented annually to the WHA's best defenseman. Both the WHA and ABA eventually merged teams into the more-entrenched leagues. "Dennis Arthur Murphy was a second baseman on the varsity team at University High School in West Los Angeles – notable alumni include Judy Garland , Marilyn Monroe , Elizabeth Taylor , and Nancy and Frank Sinatra Jr. , – but his love for sports and building new leagues greatly surpassed his own playing skills." According to his 2013 autobiography, "Murph: The Sports Entrepreneur Man," Murphy

2303-519: Was renamed Mylan World TeamTennis after Mylan, a generics and specialty pharmaceuticals company, signed a three-year deal as the title sponsor. The Kansas City Explorers relocated to Irving, Texas, and became the Texas Wild . On November 21, 2013, the Orange County Breakers were sold, relocated to Austin, Texas and renamed the Austin Aces . On January 16, 2014, the New York Sportimes were sold, relocated to San Diego and renamed

2352-758: Was the National Hockey League's Rookie of the Year for the Canadiens in 1959. Backstrom oversaw the league's rules and style of play. From 1973 and 1979 , the Dennis A. Murphy Trophy was presented to the best defenseman of the World Hockey Association . In 2010, Murphy was part of the initial group of individuals elected to the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame . The Roller Hockey International Championship trophy,

2401-430: Was the National Hockey League's first major competitor since the Western Hockey League in 1926. The WHA gave the more established league fits by cannibalizing NHL rosters, signing players under 20-years old directly from Major Junior ( Wayne Gretzky ), by placing teams in major cities that didn't host NHL teams, and by successfully challenging the reserve clause that bound players to their teams. This victory gave NHL players

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