1966 Franchise Establishment

Lore & Background

The early years demanded survival against NBA giants like the Boston Celtics. Following a losing inaugural campaign, stability arrived in December 1967 when Dick Motta took over as head coach, succeeding Johnny Kerr who served as the team's inaugural leader from 1966 to late 1967. The franchise's foundation was built through grit rather than glamour; shrewd expansion draft picks and trades forged a defensive identity that established them as playoff contenders years before Michael Jordan took flight.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Chicago Stadium was thick with anticipation on October 15, 1966. It wasn't just a game; it was a debut. The wooden floor gleamed under the harsh arena lights, reflecting the nervous energy of players who had been passed over by other teams in the expansion draft. As the referee blew his whistle to start the first quarter, the roar of the crowd echoed off the rafters, a sound that hadn't been heard for an NBA team in Chicago for decades. A young guard dribbled past the half-court line, looking up at the scoreboard where 'Chicago Bulls' was lit up for the very first time, signaling the birth of a new era.

Reader's Guide

Placed in the Eastern Conference's Midwest Division, the 1966 Bulls faced veteran teams with rosters assembled from overlooked players. General Manager Ed Badger and coach Dick Motta (hired full-time in '68) prioritized defense and toughness over star power. This era created the organizational stability necessary for early pillars like Jerry Sloan and Artis Gilmore to develop. The path to global dominance began here, transforming a city's skepticism into loyalty through seasons of hard-fought competition.

Did You Know?

• The name 'Bulls' was chosen after Dick Klein heard a local cattle auctioneer use the term to describe a tough steer.
• The franchise played its first game on October 15, 1966, losing 107-84 to the Detroit Pistons at Chicago Stadium.
• Johnny Kerr served as the Bulls' very first head coach from their 1966 founding until December 1967, when Dick Motta took the helm.
• While established in 1966, the Bulls were not the last expansion team added to the NBA before the ABA-NBA merger; several other franchises joined between 1967 and 1974.