 In late January 1975, Hemmeter revoked the Americans'franchise due to the team's chronic financial woes. Hemmeter stated that the Americans owed a total of $ 2 million in bills, taxes and missed player salaries. However, the league said it had every intention of placing a new team in Birmingham. Putnam responded by suing the league, demanding to be compensated with the rights to New York City. However, the suit went nowhere.
