Relive the forgotten era of D.C. basketball with this exclusive Washington Caps (1969-1970) vintage tee!
This premium throwback shirt celebrates one of professional basketball's most interesting one-season wonders from the American Basketball Association. The Washington Caps arrived in the nation's capital in August 1969 when owner Earl Foreman purchased the defending ABA champion Oakland Oaks for $2.6 million and relocated them across the country.
The team featured an impressive roster of talent, including future Hall-of-Famer Rick Barry, point guard Larry Brown (who led the league in assists), and Warren Armstrong (also known as Warren Jabali). Despite having star power, the team struggled with numerous challenges including poor attendance at the Washington Coliseum (which was located in a rough neighborhood), competition from the nearby NBA Baltimore Bullets, and a brutal travel schedule due to being oddly placed in the Western Division.
Against these odds, the Caps managed a respectable 44-40 record in their only season, finishing third in the Western Division and making the playoffs where they faced the Denver Rockets in a hard-fought seven-game series. At the conclusion of the 1969-70 season, with NBA-ABA merger talks underway, Baltimore Bullets owner Abe Pollin (who wanted to move his team to Washington) and other ABA owners convinced Foreman to relocate the franchise once again. The team moved to Virginia and became the Squires, ending the brief but memorable chapter of Washington Caps basketball.
Our distressed, vintage-look design captures that authentic late-60s basketball nostalgia with a perfectly weathered, cracked appearance that looks like it's been in your collection since the team's playoff run.
Product Details:
- Premium Gildan 5000 heavy cotton (5.3 oz, 100% preshrunk)
- Classic unisex fit available in sizes S-5XL
- Multiple color options available
- Tear-away label for maximum comfort
- Vintage design printed on front only (back is blank)
- Produced using cutting-edge direct-to-garment printing technology
Perfect for ABA history buffs, Washington D.C. sports enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates vintage basketball memorabilia from one of the league's most interesting franchise relocations. Own a piece of basketball history today!