World Hockey Association By 1978, the World Hockey Association, which had competed with the established NHL since 1972, was struggling. The league, which at one point iced fourteen teams, was down to seven surviving franchises. The WHA had long sought to arrange a merger with the NHL but were constantly rebuffed by a group of hardline owners in the older league. With the WHA's long-term survival in doubt, Birmingham Bulls owner John F. Bassett believed the only way to gain meaningful leverage over the NHL was to sign as many young and promising superstars as possible. The NHL did not allow the signing of players under age 20, but the WHA had no such rules. Bassett saw Gretzky as the most promising young prospect. Several WHA teams courted Gretzky, notably the Bulls and the Indianapolis Racers.
World Hockey Association By 1978 the World Hockey Association which had competed with the established NHL since 1972 was struggling The league which at one point iced fourteen teams was down to seven surviving franchises The WHA had long sought to arrange a merger with the NHL but were constantly rebuffed by a group of hardline owners in the older league With the WHA's long-term survival in doubt Birmingham Bulls owner John F Bassett believed the only way to gain meaningful leverage over the NHL was to sign as many young and promising superstars as possible The NHL did not allow the signing of players under age 20 but the WHA had no such rules Bassett saw Gretzky as the most promising young prospect Several WHA teams courted Gretzky notably the Bulls and the Indianapolis Racers