When the National Association of Base Ball Players permitted openly professional clubs for the 1869 season, the Olympics were one of twelve to go pro. Two years later they were a founding member of the first professional sports league, the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players (NAPBBP or NA, for short).
When the National Association of Base Ball Players permitted openly professional clubs for the 1869 season, the Olympics were one of twelve to become professional. Two years later they became a founding member of the first professional sports league, the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players (NAPBBP or NA).