The New York Apples were a charter franchise of World Team Tennis (WTT). The team was founded by Jerry Saperstein who sold it to New York businessman Sol Berg during its inaugural 1974 season. The team was originally known as the New York Sets and won the 1976 WTT championship under that name led by Billie Jean King. Prior to the 1977 season, the defending champion Sets held a contest to choose a new name for the team, and Apples was selected.