Continental Basketball Association Franchise History - 1979-80

1979-80

Although the Mohawk Valley Thunderbirds folded, a new Utica-based franchise, the Utica Olympics, take their place. Two franchises are rebranded for a more regional appeal; the Allentown Jets are now the Lehigh Valley Jets, while the Wilkes-Barre Barons are now the Pennsylvania Barons. The Jersey Shore Bullets merge with the Rochester Zeniths, and an expansion franchise is granted to Honolulu, Hawaii known as the Hawaii Volcanos. In exchange for a small ownership interest in the franchise, Wilt Chamberlain agrees in principle to play a limited number of home games for the Volcanos, but the plan never materializes.