Want the real stories behind the WBL?  Try "Mad Seasons:  The Story of the First Women's Professional Basketball League, 1978-1981" (University of Nebraska Press, May 2006), the first and only book published about the WBL.  Available at Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com.  354 pp., 22 photos, source notes, and index.

Publisher's Weekly says:  "For a nearly forgotten league that lasted just three years, the Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL) enjoyed a surprising share of good stories, recorded here for the first time. Having represented WNBA players in her law practice, Porter is well-versed in women's basketball past and present, and treats her subject with care. From the beginning of its first season in October 1977, the league was populated by women whose motivation was "love of the game"-unsurprising considering the pay they were (supposed to be) pulling in, but surprising considering their astonishing level of commitment to the chaotic league. Players washed their own uniforms; crammed three or four to a hotel room; traveled long distances to games by van (often driven by their coach); and, of course, were generally paid very little, if at all (by December 1979, Washington Metros players had yet to be paid). Through it all, there was some good basketball played-and some really good players making it happen; WBL stars included Ann Meyers, Molly Bolin, Nancy Lieberman and Carol Blazejowski, some of whom remain in the game as coaches, managers and commentators. Still, Porter's account is largely about the forgotten names, the players who sacrificed so much to advance women's basketball long before the success of the WNBA, and pays fitting tribute to them. Dramatic and insightful, this should please anyone with an interest in the history of hoops."

The Sioux City (IA) Journal says:  "Looking for an interesting and entertaining read? Try 'Mad Seasons: The Story of the First Women's Professional Basketball League, 1978-1981.'" (Apr. 10, 2006)

Glenn Dickey, legendary sports columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, says:  "I don’t review books, but I occasionally mention one I like. The latest is an offbeat one, 'Mad Seasons,' by Karra Porter, which is the story of the first women’s professional basketball league, 1978-81.  The league had a team in San Francisco, the Pioneers, and I saw some of their games and wrote about them, because I always believed in women’s sports, at a time when most of my colleagues disdained them. This book brings back the often zany memories of those days, and it also is a great reminder of how far women’s sports have advanced since then. We’re all the better for that advance."  (May 5, 2006)

Pat Williams, Sr. Vice President of the Orlando Magic, says in his Recommended Reading:  "The following are books I've recently read and am pleased to recommend to you. . . . Mad Seasons by Karra Porter . . . ."  (May 20, 2006)

Also, three chapters that did not make it into the book and an interview with yours truly are available at Kim Callahan's womensbasketballonline.com.

Click here for a list of chapters and their general subject matter.