Expert: Alessandro - 5/9/2008

Question
I believe that Kate Smith,the singer once was an owner of the Celtics.  Can you confirm this?

Answer
Actually, Kate Smith lent her name to the ballclub known as the "Original Celtics" (which are in no way affiliated with the present-day Celtics). Here's an excerpt from the book "Cages to Jump Shots: Pro Basketball's Early Years" by Robert W. Peterson:

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Only the Original Celtics rivaled the [Dayton] Renaissance as a travelling attraction during the 1930s. The Celtics went back on the road for the 1931-32 season after the collapse of the American Basketball League ... For the 1935-36 season popular singer Kate Smith lent her name and money to the Celtics team. Ted Collins, Miss Smith's manager, took care of the promotion and management duties for the Kate Smith Celtics.
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Again, this organization has absolutely no ties to the team which currently plays in Boston ...

Alessandro
http://parquetwishesandleprechaundreams.blogspot.com/