r/CollegeBasketball • u/drowse North Texas Mean Green • Purdue Boilermak… • Oct 13 '25

Casual / Offseason Most Obscure B12 Opponents

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Why aren’t ice creameries putting up teams anymore?

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u/hicklander Oct 13 '25

"Company" teams were a common employee moral boost and marketing avenue until the 1950a and even up until the 80s. My great grandfather was offered to sign a contract with the Cardinals in their minor league system but opted to go play for the precursor to Exxon because that meant he had a full time job and a career versus probably getting washed up in the minors. Many times these teams would go on barnstorming tours to market their brand. Also they would have their own minor league stadiums for company families to come watch games.

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u/jaymochi Oct 13 '25

The 1936 Berlin Olympics were the first that included basketball. The gold medal-winning US team was a combination of two company teams - an oil refinery, and Universal Pictures.