New York Nationals

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The New York Nationals are a basketball team that has been the regular "opponent" of the Harlem Globetrotters since 1995. They serve as straight men for the Globetrotters' comedy routines during kayfabe games. The Nationals never win, since they only serve to act as "stooges" for the Harlem players. They officially replaced the Washington Generals, but are the same organization. The Nationals are owned and operated by Red Klotz Sports Enterprises, based in Margate, New Jersey.

The Nationals are racially integrated while the Globetrotters are exclusively black. They are descended from the Philadelphia Sphas, a minor league team. The Globetrotters claim its exhibition games are "real" and "competitive" contests.[1]


The New York Nationals were also a professional soccer team based in New York City that was part of the American Soccer League in the early part of the 20th century. Their home stadium was the famed Polo Grounds.

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