African American Ownership of Sports Franchises in North America -by Moses

N.B.A

1. Julius Erving (DR. J) - Philadelphia 76ers

Qualifications - Julius Erving was one of the greats of the 70's, playing for the New Jersey Nets of the A.B.A and re-locating to the Philadelphia 76ers of the N.B.A in the mid-seventies. Many have called Erving the greatest transitional player of all-time as he could play the Small Forward and Point Guard positions at the highest level. He was duly named to the Basketball Hall of Fame during his first ballot.

2. Bill Russell - Boston Celtics

Qualifications - Russell played during the same time as Wilt Chamberlain, and their head to heads were infamous. Russell went head to head with Chamberlain in the finals in every year in the sixties neigh one year. Russell's Celtics won every battle except for one (1967). Russell holds the one game record for rebounds in a play-off game posting 41. He is second to Chamberlain for the all-time mark (again posting 41), of 42. Russell is also second on the all-time list (again to Chamberlain) in career rebounds per game and second in the single season rpg mark. Bill Russell became the first African-American to become Head Coach in the N.B.A, when he took over the reigns from the legendary Red Auerbach. Russell became the first African-American Head Coach (as player/coach) to win the N.B.A Championship. Was a first ballot Hall of Famer.

3. Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls

Qualifications - Nothing needs to be said of his qualifications as he is a current Owner in the N.B.A (Washington Wizards and now the Charlotte Bobcats).

4. Isiaah Thomas and Joe Dumars - Detroit Pistons

Qualifications - The two were the lifeline for the Pistons in the late eighties and early Nineties winning back-back championships. As the starting point guard and shooting guard, Thomas and Dumars were both inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on their first ballots. Both have worked in Front-Office positions, namely General Managers and Thomas almost became Owner of the Toronto Raptors.

5. Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Elgin Baylor - Los Angeles Lakers

Qualifications - All three were first ballot Hall of Famers. Although Baylor never realized the seventies dynasty Lakers, he was instrumental in building that franchise to that point, winning the Championship alongside Wilt Chamberlain in 1972. At the point of Abdul Jabbar and Johnson teaming together, they became the dynasty that won 5 Championships throughout the eighties. All three have been largely responsible into transforming the Lakers organization into New York Yankees' class. Prior to these three players, the last Laker' team to win the Championship was in the late forties when they were the Minneapolis Lakers.  Elgin Baylor is currently the G.M of the Los Angeles Clippers.



National Football League

1. Tony Dungy – Indianapolis Colts

Qualifications - First African-American Coach to win the Superbowl, when he took the Colts to the big dance and won it all in ‘07. Took his Tampa Bay Bucaneers to the Playoffs three years in a row. His son, at Eighteen years of age, committed suicide on December 23rd, 2005.

2. Joe Greene, Lynn Swann, and Franco Harris - Pittsburgh Steelers

Qualifications - Three greats of the Seventies and Eighties. 'Mean' Joe Greene is considered by many to be the greatest Defensive End of All-Time. Was part of the Steel Curtain that went on to win 4 Super-Bowls (1975, 1976, 1979, 1980) and was one of few players whose career spanned into three decades (1969-1981). Won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1969, and won AP Defensive Player of the Year in both 1972 and 1974. In 1979 Joe Greene won the Walter Payton Man of the Year. Greene was first team All-Star on five occasions and was named to 10 Pro-Bowls (every year neigh 1977, 1969-1979).

Lynn Swann - Won four Super-Bowls alongside 'Mean' Joe Greene. Was named to 3 Pro-Bowls, and was widely considered to be the one of the best Wide Receivers of his time alongside; teammate John Stallworth, Drew Pearson, Harold Carmichael, and Art Monk.

Franco Harris - Won 4 Super Bowls during the same years as the others, and was named to nine consecutive Pro-Bowls from 1972-1980. In 1975 during the Steelers' first Superbowl run, Harris made the reception known forever as the 'immaculate reception'. With his Steelers down late in the fourth quarter (against the Oakland Raiders in the AFL Championship Game), Harris made a fourth down catch with no time on the clock, and took it to the house to take his Steelers to the Superbowl.

3. Art Shell – Oakland Raiders

Qualifications - First African-American to become a Head Coach in the NFL when he was named Coach of the Los Angeles Raiders in 1989. Took the Raiders to the Playoffs in 3 of his first Six years there. His playing career was truly standout as he won eight Pro-Bowls as Offensive Tackle for the Oakland Raiders (later L.A) under Head Coach greats John Madden and Tom Flores. Won two Super-Bowls with the Raiders, Superbowl XI and XV.

4. Tony Dorsett – Dallas Cowboys

Qualifications - Won the Heisman Trophy in 1976 and also won the N.C.A.A National Championship that year with the University of Pittsburgh.  Was the Rookie of the year in 1977 with the Dallas Cowboys. Took the boys’ to the Super Bowl in both ’78 and ’79, winning the Super-Bowl in 1978 against the Denver Broncos. Played alongside famed great Roger Staubach, and played under the wing of legendary Head Coach Tom Landry. Their rivalry against the Pittsburgh Steelers was paramount during Dorsett's playing career.

5. Jim Brown – Cleveland Browns

Qualifications - Was known as the greatest Running Back of his day. Many have said Jim Brown was the best back of All-Time. He ranks in the top six of all-time alongside; Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, O.J Simpson, and Bo Jackson. Won the Rushing title with regularity in the Sixties. His surname is Brown and he played for the ‘Browns.

6. Jerry Rice - San Francisco 49ers

Qualifications - Won 3 Super-Bowls with the 49ers in the late eighties - early nineties alongside fellow Hall of Famer Joe Montana (although Montana had left for the Chiefs a couple of years before the 49ers last win in 1995 - replaced by Steve Young). Had 100 or more receptions in a season 4 times, and led the league in Yardage 6 times over his storied career. Had 80 or more receptions 12 times in his career. Had 1549 career receptions and 197 touchdowns (both records for Wide Receivers). Won 10 first-string selections and was named to 13 Pro-Bowls. Rice excelled the most during the Super-Bowls in which he played, taking home the Player of the Game Award once, in Super-Bowl XXIII. In his first Superbowl with the Oakland Raiders in 2002/03, he caught a TD pass, making four games in which he received at least one TD/game. Rice amassed an NFL leading 22895 yards from scrimmage, the most of any player of All-Time.

7. Mike Singletary - Chicago Bears

Qualifications - Mike Singletary was the pinnacle of the stingiest defense in Pro-Football as an inside linebacker, and in 1985 he won NFC Defensive Player of the year. The Bears won the Super-Bowl, and the Fridge was a household name. Alongside the ever classy Walter Payton, Singletary was known in Football circles to be the most knowledgeable and studious of all American Footballers.

In memory of; Gene Upshaw – Oakaland Raiders - August 15, 1945 - August 20, 2008

Was the first African-American to work in a Management role of a Professional Sports League. As the head of the NFLPA (a paradigm to the players’ choice of Commissioner) for over twenty years (through three Owner Tenancies), Upshaw was also a tremendous player with the Oakland Raiders winning 5 Pro Bowls X1 throughout his storied career.  He is the only NFL'er to appear in a Super-Bowl in 4 Decades {Beginning in the late 60's).  Was a part of 2 Super-Bowl wins; XI and XV. Gene Upshaw’s younger brother Willie Upshaw, played Professional Baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays.



MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players Association /NLBPA Negro League Baseball Players Association - New Owners under Affirmative Action)

1. Henry Aaron - Atlanta Braves

Qualifications; Played in both the Negro Leagues and the Major Leagues for a total just over 20 years. President of Baseball Operations of the Atlanta Braves for 20 years. His lifetime playing statistics in the Majors include a .305 Avg, 755 Home-Runs and one MVP Award. Has one World Series Ring to his name. Was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

Other notable statistics; greatest one year Home-Run total - 47

Hammered 44 Home-Runs in a season 4 times.

2. Frank Robinson/Joe Morgan - Homestead Grays (Greatest Negro League Team of all-time)

Qualifications; Frank Robinson - Played in the Major Leagues for over 20 years. Became the first African American Manager with the Cleveland Indians in 1976. Has Managed in the Major Leagues for roughly 30 years. His lifetime playing statistics in the Majors include 586 Home-Runs and he's the only Major Leaguer to ever win an MVP in both the National and American Leagues. Has two World Series rings to his name. Was inducted into Cooperstown.

Other notable statistics; Won the World Series with both an American League and National League team.

Qualifications; Joe Morgan - Played in the Major Leagues for over 20 years. Has been a Baseball Commentator for 25 years. Played with the expansion Houston Colt 45's, later the Houston Astros before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds (a team Robinson played on likewise). Won the MVP trophy twice (in 1975 and 1976), where he likewise won two World Series rings. Was inducted into Cooperstown.

Other notable statistics; 1976 Stats - .320 avg 27 Homeruns 111 RBI 60 SB 11 CS

3. Willie Mays/Willie McCovey/Barry Bonds - San Francisco Giants

Qualifications; Willie Mays - Played in both the Negro Leagues and the Major Leagues for over 20 years. Is known as the Greatest Center-Fielder of all-time. Won 12 Gold Glove Awards and three MVP Awards. His lifetime playing statistics also include 660 Home-Runs, a .302 Avg and one World Series ring. Has a Grandstand at the Giants Park in San Francisco named after him. Was inducted into Cooperstown.

Other notable statistics; Hit 50+ Homeruns in a year twice. Had 2 30HR/30SB Campaigns.

Qualifications; Willie McCovey - Played in the Major Leagues for over 20 years. Was known to hit the ball further than any man in the Majors when he played. At San Francisco's home park, they named beyond the Right-Field Grandstand McCovey Cove (the water in which the balls end up, if hit far enough). His lifetime statistics include 1 MVP Award and 521 lifetime Home-Runs. Was inducted into Cooperstown.

Other notable statistics; MVP Campaign of 1969 - .320 avg 45 HR 126 RBI.

Qualifications; Barry Bonds - Played in the Major Leagues for just over 20 years.

Played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants. Won 8 Gold Gloves. Hammered 762 lifetime Home-Runs, the all-time mark. Deserved a World Series Ring in 2002, when his Giants were winning the 6th game (that would have won them the Series), yet ended up losing games 6 and 7 to the Anaheim Angels. Won 7 MVP Awards in his storied career. Barry Bonds Godfather is Willie Mays. Was inducted into Cooperstown.

Other notable statistics; 1 40HR/40SB season. 5 30HR/30SB seasons. 73 HR in 2001.

4. Cito Gaston/Dave Winfield - Toronto Blue Jays

Qualifications; Cito Gaston - Played in the Major Leagues for almost ten years. Served as Batting Coach for the Toronto Blue Jays under Bobby Cox in 1983. Was instrumental in orchestrating perhaps the best offence in the Majors in his time there. Was promoted to Manager in 1989 and proceeded to guide the Jays to the playoffs in 4 of his first 7 years as Manager. Returned as the Blue Jays Manager for the 2009  after a 14 year hiatis. Gaston became the first African-American to win the World Series as a Manager (and has won two rings as Manager to date). He will surely be enshrined into Cooperstown once his Managerial Career ends.

Other notable statistics - Helped Dave Winfield enormously when Winfield joined the San Diego Padres in 1974. Gaston was picked as a representative of the Padres in the 1970 all-star game.

Qualifications; Dave Winfield - Played in the Majors for over 20 years. Played a storied career which encompassed tours in 5 cities including Toronto in 1992. 1992 was the year Winfield won his only World Series ring, playing under former teammate Cito Gaston. Winfields' lifetime statistics include 465 Home-Runs and 5 consecutive 100+ RBI campaigns with the New York Yankees. Was inducted into Cooperstown.

Other notable statistics - Finished his playing career with his hometown Minnesota Twins.

5. Ozzie Smith - St. Louis Cardinals

Qualifications; Played in the Majors for around 20 years almost exclusively with the Cardinals. Was, ironically, traded after his rookie season in San Diego for a fellow shortstop, Gary Templeton (most people thought that San Diego got the better of the deal).  As he left the Padres in the trade to St. Louis, he dispelled the sentiment of being the lesser shortstop and went on to win 13 consecutive Gold Glove Awards.  He won 1 World Series ring with St. Louis, and was duly inducted into Cooperstown.

Other notable statistics - Stole 30+ bases in 11 separate campaigns.

6. Ken Griffey Jr./Ken Griffey Sr. - Seattle Mariners

Qualifications; Ken Griffey Jr.- Played in the Majors for over 20 years. Won 10 consecutive Gold Glove Awards with the Mariners from 1990-1999. Griffey Jr. won the American League MVP in 1997 and finished his career with 632 Home-Runs. Many would argue that Griffey Jr. was as great a Center-Fielder as Willie Mays.

Other notable statistics; Hit 40+ HRs in 7 of eight seasons between 1993-2000.

Qualifiucations; Ken Griffey Sr. - Played in the Majors for about twenty years and won two World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976.  Won the N.L Batting Title in 1977.  Played on the same team as his son with the Seattle Mariners in 1990/1991, the first time Father and Son were teammates in the 'bigs.