The history of the Carolina Cougars franchise began when the former Houston ABA franchise was relocated to North Carolina in 1969. In 1972-1973, the Carolina Cougars hired retired ABA players Larry Brown and former Cougar Doug Moe as coaches. The '72-'73 Cougars were fairly talented and featured players Billy Cunningham, Joe Caldwell, and Mack Calvin. All three appeared in the ABA All-Star Game that season, and Cunningham was named the league's Most Valuable Player. The 1973-1974 season proved to be the last for the Carolina Cougars in North Carolina. Later in 1974, the Carolina Cougars were moved to Missouri and became the Spirits of St. Louis until the ABA folded in 1976. At the time of the ABA-NBA merger the team's owners planned to move the team to Salt Lake City, Utah to play as the Utah Rockies. Originally worn by Jim McDaniels and then reissued the following season to Mike Lewis (name and number change). On the back inside tail is the "Rawlings" manufacturers size 44 tag. Adjacent are two additional tags with the wash instructions and a faded tag (Extra Inches). Across the front is "COUGARS." On the front and back is the player number "42," which has replaced the original “1.” Across the back is the player name "LEWIS," which has replaced the original name “MCDANIELS.” All lettering and numbering is done in blue on white tackle twill. The jersey shows game-use and besides the name and number change appears to have no alterations of any kind.