The Iowa Cornets were a pioneering team in the Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL), the first women's pro basketball league in the United States. Cedar Rapids businessman George Nissen was the founder of the Cornets, the first franchise established in the league. The team played its home games at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines and the Five Seasons Center in Cedar Rapids. The Cornets aimed to capitalize on Iowa's strong tradition in girls' high school basketball, incorporating local talent and community support into their identity. Although their existence was brief, the team’s achievements were significant, losing the WBL championship game in both 1979 and 1980. The Cornets top player was “Machine Gun Molly” Bolin, a leading scorer and league co-MVP. Unfortunately, the on court success did not translate to financial success, as the franchise dissolved after the 1980 season, leaving behind a trailblazing legacy in the establishment of women’s professional sports leagues.
WBL WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SPORTSWEAR & FAN GEAR
