'75 Chronology-Pro Transactions #1

Event Date: February 10th, 1975 

Event Description: Pro Transactions

Source: The Morning Record

PRO FOOTBALL

Birmingham Vulcans-Agreed to court order to release QB Ken Stabler. 

Florida Sharks-Named Dick Butkus General Manager.

NFL-Commssioner Pete Rozelle grants NFL teams the right to sign WFL and CFL free agent players.

Portland Storm-Accepted resignation of General Manager Ron Mix.

Southern California Sun-Named Gary Davidson Team President and General Manager; agree to new contract with Booker Brown, released QB Tony Adams. and RB James McAlister.

WFL-Named Chris Hemmeter League President; submits March 15th as date for League Organization Plan.

WFL-League office approves the merger of the Florida Blazers and Jacksonville Sharks. 

WFL-League office approves transfer of Shreveport Steamer to San Antonio. Team will be called the San Antonio Wings.

WFL-League office approves talks between League President Chris Hemmeter and the WFL Players Association.

WFL-Released LB Ted Hendricks from his WFL contract.

*Note some info taken from Speck, Maher, Gardner & Franklin

'75 Chronology-Florida Sharks

Event Date: February 3rd, 1975

Event Description: Florida Teams Merge

Source: The Sentinel Star

The World Football League announced today it was merging the Jacksonville and Florida franchises effective immediately. The team will be referred to as the Florida Sharks.

“Several potential investors have indicated that they wish to keep many of the teams intact for a fresh start next season,” league president Chris Hemmeter said in a statement issued from league headquarters.

“We believe that it would be best to merge these teams together for the 1975 season. Home games will be played in Orlando, with the possibility of playing an exhibition game in Jacksonville.”

Hemmeter also said that all current contracts would be honored by the league. Hemmeter also mentioned that he would be presenting a plan which would move the league toward financial solvency.

'75 Chronology-Pro Draft Postponed

Event Date: January 27th, 1975

Event Description: Pro Draft Postponed

Source: Chicago Star Tribune

'75 Chronology-WFL Moves Forward

Event Date: January 26th, 1975

Event Description: Hemmeter Named President

Source: Memphis Star

'75 Chronology-Shark Hunt

Event Date: January 25th, 1975

Event Description: Butkus Buying In?

Source: Chicago Tribune

'75 Chronology-Pay Day?

Event Date: January 22nd, 1975

Event Description: Blazers Lose Bowl Money

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'75 Chronology-"One-in-Five"

Event Date: January 20th, 1975

Event Description: Namath Gets WFL Invite

Source: Rome News Tribune

Pro Draft