The American Basketball Association consists of two distinct professional basketball leagues.
Original ABA
The original ABA was founded in 1967, competing with the more established, rival National Basketball Association until reaching an agreement of merger in 1976. Ultimately four ABA teams were absorbed into the older league: the New York Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs. Two other clubs, the Kentucky Colonels and the Spirits of St. Louis were disbanded upon the merger. A third, the Virginia Squires, had folded less than a month earlier, missing out on the opportunities a merger might provide.
The ABA distinguished itself from its older counterpart with a more wide-open style of offensive play as well as differences in rules (a 30-second shot clock as opposed to the NBA's 24, use of a 3-point basket, etc.) Also, the ABA used a colorful red, white and blue ball instead of the NBA's brown ball. The freewheeling style of the ABA eventually caught on with fans, but the lack of a national television contract and protracted financial losses would spell doom for the ABA as an independent circuit.
List of ABA teams
ABA Championship Series results
The New ABA (2000-2002, 2003-present)
A new American Basketball Association was formed in the late 1990s and played from 2000 to 2002. The league suspended operations after the 2002 season, but resumed play in 2003-2004. The league is currently undertaking an ambitious expansion for its 2004-2005 season, admitting virtually any club willing to pay the league's low ($ 20,000) expansion fee.
ABA Teams For 2004-2005 Season
Red Division
White Division
Blue Division
2005-2006 Expansion
Cities with 2005-2006 teams
Defunct ABA teams
ABA Championship Series results
External links
See also: List of defunct sports leagues, List of developmental and minor sports leagues
