Killian Spanbauer, the owner of a sporting good chain based in Oshkosh, had publicly stated as early as 1981 that he wanted to form a minor league basketball circuit with 6–8 teams across Wisconsin.

Nothing more appeared in the media until the winter of 1981–1982 when Spanbauer announced he was seeking a franchise in the Continental Basketball Association for Oshkosh.

At the time, Spanbauer made it quite clear that the CBA needed more than one franchise in the Midwest in order to expand.

The Flyers suffered a setback immediately, when head coach Dave Wohl took an assistant's position with the New Jersey Nets before the season began.

In the East, Rochester folded, while Maine moved to Brockton, Massachusetts and were renamed the Bay State Bombardiers.

The Bombardiers joined the Albany Patroons and Lancaster Red Roses, holdovers from the Eastern Division, and three expansion teams – the Toronto Tornados, Sarasota Stingers and the Puerto Rico Coquis.

The only answers available are from a November 30, 1983 article in the Appleton Post Crescent by John L. Paustain, who had interviewed Clark about his resignation.

Bill Klucas, who was CBA coach of the year with the Anchorage Northern Knights in 1979–1980, was available and came on board.

Wisconsin started out sluggish, then turned red hot down the stretch and held off the defending champion Detroit Spirits for the Western Division title.

Wisconsin (27-17) defeated the Ohio Mixers (23-21) in five games to win the Western Division semi-final series.

The Wildcatters would go on to lose to Albany and head coach Phil Jackson in the CBA finals.

Another factor which hurt the Flyers down the stretch – in addition to Wilkinson being called up – was Killian Spanbauer announcing the franchise was up for sale in February.

The Flyers appeared to be on the right track, as Killian Spanbauer added five partners after turning down offers from La Crosse and Milwaukee to buy the franchise.

Bryan Warrick led the CBA in assists with 9.9 PPG, and set a franchise record with 24 in one game.

Moede resigned as GM before the season began, and was replaced by former Ohio Mixer head coach John Nillen.

Wisconsin finished 22–26, and had 153.5 standings points, eight behind Rockford for the final Western Division playoff berth.