After nearly a century of play–when many other things have come and gone–the Harlem Globetrotters are still bringing smiles to fans around the globe.
Since its founding in 1926, the Harlem Globetrotters have been a worldwide icon of family entertainment and merchandise. The original Harlem Globetrotters, a barnstorming group of African American basketball players, played their first road game in Hinckley, Illinois, on January 7, 1927. Since then, the organization has entertained fans in over 123 countries.
The Globetrotters of the 1930-1931 season. Standing from left: Abe Saperstein, Walter “Toots” Wright, Byron “Fat” Long, Inman Jackson, and William “Kid” Oliver. Seated: Al “Runt” Pullins. (Photo credit: Berkley Family Collection as shown in Sports History Weekly)
The founder, Abe Saperstein, was synonymous with Globetrotters basketball for decades. However, although the team carried the “Harlem” name, the Globetrotters didn’t play there until the late 1960s. Saperstein chose the team name for symbolic reasons: to indicate that the players were Black and to accentuate Harlem as the forefront of African-American culture.
Bob Kastens (courtesy of the Encyclopedia of Pro Basketball)
Bob Karstens was the first white basketball player to be under contract with the Harlem Globetrotters. He suited up in 1943. In the early days, Saperstein would even play with the team if needed, but his primary job was keeping the club financially solvent.
Even during the days when barnstorming teams crisscrossed the country (baseball, primarily), Saperstein worked hard to ensure that the team had sufficient funds to keep playing. Often, the Globetrotters would play every night to make ends meet.
It worked, and now “The Globetrotters’ is a household name known worldwide and enjoyed by all.
