Dennis Murphy, co-founder of pro sports leagues, dies at 94 By BETH HARRISJuly 16, 2021 GMT LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dennis Murphy, a sports entrepreneur who co-founded professional leagues in basketball, hockey, tennis and roller hockey that featured innovations in marketing, rules and playing style, died Thursday. He was 94. Murphy died of congestive heart failure at an assisted living facility in the Orange County city of Placentia, California, according to his son, Dennis Jr. The elder Murphy co-founded the American Basketball Association, World Hockey Association, World Team Tennis and Roller Hockey International. Each of the leagues used groundbreaking marketing and promotional tactics, new rules, and a style of play that forced the evolution of already established leagues.