Topeka Sizzlers
| Topeka Sizzlers | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conference | Western (1985–87) Eastern (1987–89) National (1989–1990) |
| Division | Midwest (1989–1990) |
| Leagues | Continental Basketball Association |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Dissolved | 1990 |
| Arena |
Municipal Auditorium (1985–86) Lee Arena (1986–87) Landon Arena (1987–1990) |
| Location |
Kansas City, Missouri (1985–86) Topeka, Kansas (1986–1990) |
| Team colors | red, yellow, black |
| Ownership | Bernard Glannon (1986–1988) Jim Garrett & Bonnie Garrett (1988–1990) |
The Topeka Sizzlers, originally the Kansas City Sizzlers, were a professional basketball team based in Kansas City, Missouri from 1985 to 1986 until they relocated to Topeka, Kansas where they played from 1986 to 1990. The Sizzlers were members of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA).
Bernard Glannon purchased a new CBA franchise on June 28, 1985 which he nicknamed the "Sizzlers". During their first and only season in Kansas City the team played their home games at Municipal Auditorium. Citing the over-saturated sports market in Kansas City, Glannon re-located the Sizzlers to Topeka, Kansas before the 1986–87 season. The team used Lee Arena on the campus of Washburn University while construction of Landon Arena completed.
A group of 14 investors led by married business partners Jim & Bonnie Garrett purchased the Topeka Sizzlers from Glannon before the 1988–89 season. The Garretts put the team up for sale during the 1989–1990 season. A group of investors led by Sacramento, California attorney Robert Wilson purchased the Sizzlers and re-located them to Washington. The Yakima Sun Kings as the Topeka franchise would become known during the 1990–91 season went on to win several CBA championships during their 18-year existence.
A lawsuit was filed by the Garrett's in 1991 alleging Glannon misrepresented the value of the Sizzlers franchise. The Shawnee County, Kansas District Court jury who heard the original case sided with Glannon and a judgement was issued in his favor for the remainder owed to him by the Garrett's ($205,000). The Kansas Court of Appeals upheld the jury's judgement in 1992.
Kansas City businessman Bernard Glannon announced on June 27, 1985 that he had worked out a deal to purchase an expansion franchise in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) for $500,000. CBA owners approved the expansion franchise, named the "Sizzlers", during a conference call vote on June 28 following two weeks of negotiations between Glannon and CBA president Jim Drucker.
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