 The ABA existed from 1967 to 1976 -- for nine full seasons. During that time, the ABA fought a bitter war with the established National Basketball Association (the NBA) for players, fans, and media attention. In June 1976, the two rival pro leagues finally made peace. Four of the strongest ABA teams (the New York Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs) joined the NBA and survived. The other remaining ABA teams (such as the Kentucky Colonels, the Spirits of St. Louis, and the Virginia Squires) vanished, along with the ABA itself.However, the ABA is still vividly remembered by its loyal fans. The ABA was the "outlaw" league with the psychedelic red, white and blue basketball, outlandish promotions, and huge afros. It was the "lively" league that created the three-point shot -- the exciting "home run" of basketball -- as its own. It was the "frontier" league that brought (or returned) modern professional basketball to hoops-crazy cities like Indianapolis, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Charlotte/Greensboro, Louisville, Norfolk, and Denver. It featured dazzling above-the-rim players like Julius ("Dr. J") Erving, Connie Hawkins, George ("Ice") Gervin, David Thompson, George McGinnis, Artis Gilmore, Moses Malone, Roger Brown and Dan (the "Horse") Issel. Each of these electric stars first played professional basketball in the ABA -- with young legs and few limitations. The "frontier spirit" of the ABA also led to a group of memorable characters. The ABA had a coach named "Slick" and players named "Fatty" and "Goo." And, who could ever forget Marvin "Bad News" Barnes, "Mr. Excitement" Wendell Ladner, Warren Jabali, and Babe "Magnolia Mouth" McCarthy?   The ABA that merged with the NBA in 1976 is back, with its red, white and blue basketball and high-flying and exciting players that will captivate fans around the world. Re-launched as ABA 2000, the league has continued to expand the number of its current teams and the size of its audience. In the 2008-2009 season the ABA has over 30 active teams in cities such as Atlanta GA, Nashville TN, San Diego CA, , Bluefield WV, Knoxville TN, Owensboro KY, San Francisco, CA, and of course Winston-Salem of North Carolina. The ABA is the fastest growing sports league in history!The new ABA league offers exciting events that will improve the quality of entertainment for local citizens by giving them a leisure outlet that is affordable and family oriented. The ABA league provides communities with a true national professional sports identity during basketball season that will bring in thousands of visitors from surrounding cities to their town. |
