A.M. Saperstein Sports Enterprises M. Linehan Letter (1950)

This letter was written to Mat Pasclae of Omaha, Nebraska by Marie Linehan  representing A. M. Saperstein Sports Enterprises. The purpose of the letter is to confirm the booking of a baseball game between an all-star team from Kalamazoo and the New Orleans Creoles. The letter also identifies the financial arrangement for the game. The Creoles were to get 35 % of the gate receipts with a guaranteed minimum of $ 250.00.

A.M. Saperstein Sports Enterprises was owned by Abe Saperstein. While he is best remembered as the founder and owner of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team, it is also important to note that from the 1930’s through 1950’s he had significant and varied interests in black sports in the United States. Abe Saperstein’s sports interests included:

• Owned one of the largest if not the largest booking agencies and sports promotions of black sports in the United States.
• Owned the Harlem Globetrotter basketball team
• Owned the Harlem Globetrotters baseball team
• Owned the Cincinnati Crescents baseball team
• Owned a professional black football team
• Owned the contracts and managed a stable of professional boxers
• Partner with Tom Hayes in running the Birmingham Black Barons baseball team  in the 1940’s
• Officer  and part owner of Cincinnati Clowns, Cleveland Cubs and Chicago American Giants baseball teams
• President of the Negro Midwestern League and West Coast Negro Baseball Association