Anderson Packers Existed For Six Seasons Before Folding

Published on October 29th, 2024 11:24 am EST
Written By: Dave Manuel

Anderson Packers: The Short-Lived NBA Franchise.

Here is a bit of NBA history that you might not know - the Anderson Packers, based out of Anderson, Indiana, lasted just one season in the league.

The team, which was owned by Ike and John Duffey, the co-founders of the meat packing company Duffey's Incorporated, was started in 1946.

The team, which played in the National Basketball League from 1946-49, enjoyed a decent amount of success in their short run as a professional basketball franchise.

In fact, after finishing with a very respectable 24-20 record in their first year in the NBL, the Packers made the playoffs in their second year, and ended up losing in the Division Semi-Finals. The Packers finished the season with a record of 42-18.

Next year was even better for the Packers, as they ended up winning the NBL title in a sweep.

The Packers moved into the NBA for their fourth season as a professional franchise. The Packers were great, finishing their inaugural (and only) NBA season with a record of 37-27, while eventually losing in the semi-finals to Minneapolis.

The Packers had posted three straight strong seasons.

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The Packers had two problems after the 1949-50 season.

1. The Duffey brothers had sold their meat packing plant.

2. The NBA wanted to shrink the size of their league, mainly due to travel concerns.

After some back-and-forth, the NBA decided to absorb the Packers and cut the team from its ranks. As a NBA franchise, the Packers were no more.

The Duffey brothers tried to save the team, but perhaps they were ready to move on as well, as they had done well with the sale of their business.

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The Packers would play a final season in the NPBL, where they would post a record of 22-22.

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The history of the NBA is dotted with a number of franchises that remained in the league for a few years before folding.

The Anderson Packers, despite existing for just six seasons as a professional franchise, were able to enjoy a decent amount of success.