The following season, after going 37-45 under Fitch's successor Stan Albeck, original owner Mileti sold his shares to Louis Mitchell who sold the shares to minority owner Joe Zingale [REF].
The ensuing chaos had a major effect on both the Cavaliers' on-court performance and lack of local support, going 28-54 in 1980-81 (Stepien's first year as owner), followed by an abysmal 15-67 mark in 1981-82.