The Harlem Globetrotters wrote a letter to Adam Silver and the NBA on Tuesday, calling on the league to make the team an official franchise.
In a statement reinforcing the message of the letter, the Globetrotters called on the NBA to acknowledge the Globetrotters' contributions to basketball — namely to the NBA's integration — and said they are ready to negotiate for a franchise.
"As an organization whose storied history is already tightly interwoven within that of the NBA, the Harlem Globetrotters are looking for a long overdue seat at the table, Jeff Muun, executive vice president and general manager, said in the statement.