History of the Minnesota Pipers

A Championship Franchise Heads North

The Minnesota Pipers existed for only one season, but their story is one of the most unusual in American Basketball Association (ABA) history. Formed in 1968 after the defending ABA champion Pittsburgh Pipers relocated to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, the franchise inherited a championship roster but struggled both on and off the court. Although the team qualified for the playoffs, poor attendance and arena issues forced ownership to abandon the experiment after just one year. The franchise returned to Pittsburgh for the 1969-70 season, making the Minnesota Pipers one of the shortest-lived teams in professional basketball history.

Why the Pipers Moved to Minnesota

The Pittsburgh Pipers had captured the ABA's first championship during the league's inaugural 1967-68 season behind the brilliance of Connie Hawkins. Despite the team's success, attendance in Pittsburgh was disappointing, and owner Gabe Rubin believed the franchise could prosper in a larger market.

At the same time, Minnesota had suddenly become available. The Minnesota Muskies, one of the ABA's original charter franchises, had struggled financially during the league's first season and relocated to Miami, where they became the Miami Floridians.

Rubin believed Minnesota remained an excellent basketball market, particularly after the departure of the Muskies. Hoping to capitalize on the region's basketball tradition while competing with the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers, the defending champions relocated to Bloomington, Minnesota, and became the Minnesota Pipers.

A Difficult Home Court Situation

Unlike many professional teams, the Pipers never secured a stable home arena.

The Metropolitan Sports Center, the area's premier venue, had scheduling conflicts with the NHL's Minnesota North Stars and other events. As a result, the Pipers were forced to split home games among several arenas throughout Minnesota.

The constant movement prevented the club from establishing a consistent fan base. Marketing became difficult because fans were never certain where the next home game would be played, and many potential ticket buyers simply stayed home.

Attendance remained among the lowest in the ABA despite the team being the league's defending champion.

Connie Hawkins Returns

Connie Hawkins remained the face of the franchise.

Fresh off winning the ABA's first Most Valuable Player Award, Hawkins once again ranked among the league's elite players. Nicknamed "The Hawk," he combined spectacular athleticism with exceptional passing and ball-handling skills that were decades ahead of his time.

Hawkins averaged over 30 points per game while continuing to dominate opponents. His exciting style made him one of the ABA's biggest attractions and helped legitimize the young league.

The supporting cast included Charlie Williams, Chico Vaughn, Barry Leibowitz, and several veterans from the championship roster.

Although the team remained competitive, it lacked the chemistry and stability that had fueled the title run the previous season.

The 1968-69 Season

The Minnesota Pipers finished the regular season with a 36-42 record, a significant decline from the championship season in Pittsburgh.

The club placed fourth in the ABA's Eastern Division but still qualified for the playoffs.

While Hawkins continued to perform at an MVP level, injuries, inconsistent play, and constant travel prevented Minnesota from seriously challenging for another championship.

Playoff Appearance

Minnesota faced the Miami Floridians in the Eastern Division Semifinals.

Ironically, the series matched the two franchises that had essentially swapped cities only one year earlier. The Floridians had relocated from Minnesota after the 1967-68 season, while the Pipers had moved into the market.

The series proved highly competitive.

Miami defeated Minnesota four games to three, ending the Pipers' season in the opening round.

Despite the first-round exit, Hawkins continued to demonstrate why he was regarded as one of the finest players in professional basketball.

Connie Hawkins Wins His Freedom

The most important event involving the franchise actually occurred away from the basketball court.

For years, Connie Hawkins had been banned from the NBA because of alleged ties to the Jack Molinas point-shaving scandal despite never being convicted of wrongdoing.

In 1969, Hawkins successfully challenged the NBA in federal court. Rather than continue the legal battle, the NBA reached a settlement that allowed him to join the Phoenix Suns.

His departure represented a tremendous loss not only for the Minnesota Pipers but also for the ABA, which had benefited greatly from his star power during its formative years.

Financial Problems Continue

Although ownership hoped Minnesota would provide stronger financial support than Pittsburgh, the opposite occurred.

Poor attendance, unstable arena arrangements, and mounting financial losses convinced owner Gabe Rubin that remaining in Minnesota was impossible.

The franchise relocated back to Pittsburgh after only one season.

The Minnesota Pipers became the Pittsburgh Pipers once again for the 1969-70 season.

Return to Pittsburgh

The return to Pittsburgh did not restore the franchise's championship fortunes.

Without Connie Hawkins, who had departed for the NBA, the club finished with a disappointing 29-55 record and missed the playoffs.

One year later, ownership attempted another fresh start by renaming the team the Pittsburgh Condors.

Although the Pipers name disappeared forever, the organization remained in the ABA until folding after the 1971-72 season.

Season Summary

Head Coach

Notable Players

• Connie Hawkins
• Charlie Williams
• Chico Vaughn
• Barry Leibowitz
• Craig Dill
• Trooper Washington
• Manny Leaks
• Dick Cunningham

Franchise Legacy

Although the Minnesota Pipers existed for only one season, they occupy a unique place in ABA history. They were the defending league champions, featured one of basketball's greatest players in Connie Hawkins, and represented the ABA's attempt to establish a successful franchise in Minnesota after the departure of the Muskies.

The team's struggles highlighted many of the financial challenges faced by the young ABA. Even a championship-caliber roster could not overcome poor attendance, unstable arena arrangements, and mounting losses. Those issues forced another relocation, demonstrating the instability that characterized many early ABA franchises.

Today, the Minnesota Pipers are remembered as a fascinating footnote in professional basketball history. Their lone season connected two championship eras—the inaugural ABA title won in Pittsburgh and the eventual evolution of the franchise into the Pittsburgh Condors. More importantly, the Minnesota season marked the final stop in Connie Hawkins' ABA career before he successfully entered the NBA and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest all-around players of his generation.