The American Basketball Association: 1967-1976
The American Basketball Association was one of the most influential rival leagues in the history of professional sports. Operating from 1967 through 1976, the ABA challenged the established National Basketball Association for players, fans, television exposure and major basketball markets. Although the league lasted only nine seasons, its innovations helped transform professional basketball into the modern game.
The ABA became famous for its red, white and blue basketball, three-point field goal, spectacular offensive players and willingness to experiment with new ideas. While the NBA had a more established reputation, the ABA marketed itself as a faster, more entertaining alternative. Its teams frequently emphasized aggressive offense, athletic play and colorful personalities.
The league featured some of basketball's greatest players, including Julius Erving, Connie Hawkins, Rick Barry, George Gervin, Artis Gilmore, Moses Malone, Dan Issel, Mel Daniels, Spencer Haywood, David Thompson, Roger Brown and George McGinnis. Many of these players later achieved considerable success in the NBA, demonstrating the quality of competition that had existed in the ABA.
Despite its influence, the ABA faced persistent financial problems. Franchises relocated frequently, ownership groups struggled to meet expenses and several teams collapsed. By 1976, the league could no longer sustain its competition with the NBA. An agreement brought four surviving ABA franchises into the NBA: the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets and San Antonio Spurs.
Those four organizations continue to exist in the NBA, with the Nets now based in Brooklyn. The ABA's independent existence ended in 1976, but its players, franchises, playing style and innovations became permanent parts of professional basketball.
ABA Seasons: 1967-68 Through 1975-76
Explore all nine seasons of the American Basketball Association. Each season page contains historical standings, playoff results, statistics and other available information.
The Birth of the ABA
The American Basketball Association began play in the fall of 1967 with 11 franchises. The league was established as a competitor to the NBA at a time when professional basketball was growing in popularity but had not yet achieved the nationwide commercial success enjoyed by other major sports.
Many ABA franchises were placed in markets without an NBA team. Cities such as Indianapolis, Louisville, Denver, New Orleans and Pittsburgh offered opportunities to develop professional basketball audiences. Other teams operated near existing NBA markets, including the New Jersey Americans, Anaheim Amigos and Oakland Oaks.
The ABA sought to distinguish itself immediately. Its colorful basketball became one of the most recognizable symbols in sports, while its three-point line rewarded long-distance shooting and created more opportunities for dramatic comebacks. The league also developed a reputation for creative promotions and a willingness to experiment.
The ABA's inaugural season culminated in a championship between the Pittsburgh Pipers and New Orleans Buccaneers. Led by Connie Hawkins, Pittsburgh won the series in seven games to claim the first ABA championship.
The Original 11 ABA Franchises
The following teams competed during the inaugural 1967-68 season. Several eventually changed names or relocated to different cities.
| Original ABA Team | Later Franchise Identity | Historical Outcome |
|---|
| Anaheim Amigos | Los Angeles Stars / Utah Stars | Won 1971 ABA title as Utah Stars; folded in 1975 |
| Dallas Chaparrals | Texas Chaparrals / San Antonio Spurs | Joined NBA in 1976 |
| Denver Rockets | Denver Nuggets | Joined NBA in 1976 |
| Houston Mavericks | Carolina Cougars / Spirits of St. Louis | Ceased operations in 1976 |
| Indiana Pacers | Indiana Pacers | Won three ABA championships; joined NBA |
| Kentucky Colonels | Kentucky Colonels | Won 1975 championship; ceased operations in 1976 |
| Minnesota Muskies | Miami Floridians / The Floridians | Folded in 1972 |
| New Jersey Americans | New York Nets / New Jersey Nets / Brooklyn Nets | Joined NBA in 1976 |
| New Orleans Buccaneers | Memphis Pros / Tams / Sounds / Baltimore Claws | Collapsed before 1975-76 regular season |
| Oakland Oaks | Washington Caps / Virginia Squires | Won 1969 championship; folded in 1976 |
| Pittsburgh Pipers | Minnesota Pipers / Pittsburgh Condors | Won first ABA championship; folded in 1972 |
ABA Team Histories and Franchises
The ABA was known for its frequent franchise relocations and name changes. Explore the complete histories of its teams, including championship clubs, relocated franchises and organizations that disappeared before the 1976 agreement with the NBA.
View the Complete ABA Teams Directory »
A League Defined by Relocation
Franchise instability was a defining characteristic of the ABA. During its nine-season existence, teams frequently moved to new cities, changed ownership and adopted new identities. Some relocations helped establish professional basketball in markets that later became important NBA cities, while others were unsuccessful attempts to rescue financially troubled organizations.
The Anaheim Amigos became the Los Angeles Stars before relocating to Salt Lake City as the Utah Stars. The Utah franchise won the 1971 ABA championship but folded during the league's final season.
The Houston Mavericks moved to North Carolina and became the Carolina Cougars. After five seasons in North Carolina, the franchise moved to St. Louis, where it played as the Spirits of St. Louis during the ABA's final two seasons.
The Oakland Oaks won the 1969 ABA championship before becoming the Washington Caps and later the Virginia Squires. The Squires were an important part of the early professional careers of Julius Erving and George Gervin, but financial difficulties eventually forced the franchise out of business.
The New Orleans Buccaneers moved to Memphis, where the team operated as the Pros, Tams and Sounds. The franchise attempted another move to Baltimore in 1975, but the Baltimore Claws collapsed before playing a regular-season game.
Other ABA organizations found more lasting homes. The Dallas Chaparrals became the San Antonio Spurs in 1973, and the Denver Rockets adopted the Nuggets name in 1974. Both franchises entered the NBA in 1976.
The ABA's Three-Point Shot
One of the ABA's most important innovations was its use of the three-point field goal. Although other basketball leagues had experimented with long-distance scoring, the ABA helped establish the three-pointer as an exciting and strategically important part of professional basketball.
The three-point line changed the way teams approached offense. Long-distance shooters could produce three points on a single possession, rewarding perimeter accuracy and creating opportunities for teams to overcome late deficits. Players such as Louie Dampier, Glen Combs and Les Selvage helped demonstrate the value of shooting from beyond the arc.
The NBA did not adopt the three-point field goal until the 1979-80 season, three years after the ABA's final championship. Today, the three-pointer is one of the central elements of basketball strategy at virtually every level of the sport.
The Red, White and Blue Basketball
Few pieces of sporting equipment are as closely associated with a league as the ABA's red, white and blue basketball. The distinctive ball immediately separated the new league from the NBA and became a major part of the ABA's identity.
The colorful design was especially noticeable on television and in promotional photographs. Along with the three-point line, fast-paced offense and spectacular dunking, the basketball helped establish the ABA's reputation as an innovative and entertainment-focused organization.
Although the NBA continued using a traditional orange basketball after the ABA-NBA agreement, the red, white and blue design remains one of the most recognizable symbols of the ABA's history.
The Greatest Players in ABA History
Julius Erving
Julius "Dr. J" Erving became the ABA's most recognizable superstar. Beginning his professional career with the Virginia Squires in 1971, Erving combined extraordinary athleticism, scoring ability and creativity around the basket. He later joined the New York Nets, leading the franchise to championships in 1974 and 1976. Erving won three consecutive ABA MVP awards from 1974 through 1976, sharing the 1975 award with George McGinnis.
Connie Hawkins
Connie Hawkins helped establish the ABA's credibility during its inaugural season. Playing for the Pittsburgh Pipers, Hawkins won the league's first MVP award and led Pittsburgh to the 1968 championship. His combination of ball-handling, athleticism and scoring made him one of professional basketball's most exciting early stars.
Rick Barry
Rick Barry was one of the first established NBA stars to challenge the older league by signing with the ABA. After leaving the San Francisco Warriors, Barry joined the Oakland Oaks organization. He later played for the Washington Caps and New York Nets before returning to the NBA.
Mel Daniels
Mel Daniels was the cornerstone of the Indiana Pacers' early success. A dominant rebounder and interior presence, Daniels won ABA MVP awards in 1969 and 1971 and helped Indiana establish itself as the league's most successful championship franchise.
Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore joined the Kentucky Colonels in 1971 and immediately became one of the ABA's dominant centers. He won both Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in 1971-72, led Kentucky to the 1975 championship and later continued his career with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs.
George McGinnis
George McGinnis was a powerful scorer and rebounder who helped the Indiana Pacers win championships in 1972 and 1973. He shared the 1974-75 ABA MVP award with Julius Erving before joining the Philadelphia 76ers.
George Gervin
George "The Iceman" Gervin began his ABA career with the Virginia Squires before joining the San Antonio Spurs. His smooth scoring style and exceptional shooting touch made him one of the most prolific offensive players in professional basketball. He continued his success in the NBA after the Spurs joined the league in 1976.
Dan Issel
Dan Issel became one of the ABA's most dependable scorers and rebounders. He played for the Kentucky Colonels before joining the Denver Nuggets and remained with Denver after the franchise entered the NBA.
Spencer Haywood
Spencer Haywood starred for the Denver Rockets during the 1969-70 season, winning both ABA MVP and Rookie of the Year honors. His subsequent legal battle over NBA eligibility helped change the rules governing when young players could enter the league.
David Thompson
David Thompson joined the Denver Nuggets for the ABA's final season and won the 1975-76 Rookie of the Year award. His spectacular leaping ability and scoring made him one of the defining stars of the league's closing chapter.
Moses Malone
Moses Malone entered professional basketball directly from high school, joining the Utah Stars in 1974. He later played for the Spirits of St. Louis before beginning an NBA career that included three MVP awards and a championship with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Roger Brown
Roger Brown was one of the Indiana Pacers' most important players throughout the ABA era. His scoring, defense and playoff performances helped the franchise win three championships. Brown spent his entire major professional career in the ABA.
The Indiana Pacers: The ABA's Greatest Dynasty
The Indiana Pacers were the most successful championship franchise in ABA history, winning three titles in 1970, 1972 and 1973. The team was built around players such as Mel Daniels, Roger Brown, Freddie Lewis, Bob Netolicky and George McGinnis.
Indiana won its first championship in 1970 by defeating the Los Angeles Stars in six games. The Pacers returned to the top in 1972 with a victory over the New York Nets and captured their third championship in 1973 against the Kentucky Colonels.
The Pacers qualified for the playoffs in every ABA season and reached the Finals five times. Their success helped establish Indianapolis as a major professional basketball market and made Indiana an obvious candidate for admission into the NBA in 1976.
The Kentucky Colonels
The Kentucky Colonels were one of the ABA's most successful and recognizable franchises. Based in Louisville, the Colonels played all nine ABA seasons and featured stars such as Louie Dampier, Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore.
Kentucky compiled a remarkable 68-16 regular-season record in 1971-72 but was eliminated by the New York Nets in the playoffs. The franchise finally won its only ABA championship in 1975 under coach Hubie Brown, defeating the Indiana Pacers in five games.
Despite their success and loyal following, the Colonels were not admitted to the NBA in 1976. Their ownership accepted a financial settlement, and the team's players became available to NBA franchises through the ABA dispersal draft.
The ABA Slam Dunk Contest
The ABA staged a groundbreaking Slam Dunk Contest during halftime of its 1976 All-Star Game in Denver. The competition featured Julius Erving, David Thompson, George Gervin, Artis Gilmore and Larry Kenon.
Erving won the contest with a performance that included his famous running dunk after taking off near the free-throw line. The event demonstrated the entertainment value of showcasing basketball's most athletic players and became an important part of the ABA's legacy.
The NBA later introduced its own Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend, helping turn the competition into one of basketball's most popular annual events.
Every ABA Champion: 1968-1976
The ABA awarded nine championships during its existence. Indiana won three titles, New York won two, and four other franchises captured one championship apiece.
| Season | ABA Champion | Runner-Up | Series |
|---|
| 1967-68 | Pittsburgh Pipers | New Orleans Buccaneers | 4-3 |
| 1968-69 | Oakland Oaks | Indiana Pacers | 4-1 |
| 1969-70 | Indiana Pacers | Los Angeles Stars | 4-2 |
| 1970-71 | Utah Stars | Kentucky Colonels | 4-3 |
| 1971-72 | Indiana Pacers | New York Nets | 4-2 |
| 1972-73 | Indiana Pacers | Kentucky Colonels | 4-3 |
| 1973-74 | New York Nets | Utah Stars | 4-1 |
| 1974-75 | Kentucky Colonels | Indiana Pacers | 4-1 |
| 1975-76 | New York Nets | Denver Nuggets | 4-2 |
ABA Championships by Franchise
| Franchise | Championships | Title Seasons |
|---|
| Indiana Pacers | 3 | 1969-70, 1971-72, 1972-73 |
| New York Nets | 2 | 1973-74, 1975-76 |
| Pittsburgh Pipers | 1 | 1967-68 |
| Oakland Oaks | 1 | 1968-69 |
| Utah Stars | 1 | 1970-71 |
| Kentucky Colonels | 1 | 1974-75 |
The ABA's Final Season: 1975-76
The 1975-76 season demonstrated how serious the ABA's financial problems had become. Several franchises were unable to continue operating, and the league finished its final season with only seven teams completing the schedule.
The Baltimore Claws collapsed before the regular season began. The franchise had moved from Memphis after the 1974-75 campaign and played only three preseason exhibition games before its operations ended.
The San Diego Sails, formerly the San Diego Conquistadors, folded after playing 11 regular-season games. The Utah Stars also ceased operations during the season after playing 16 games. Their disappearance was particularly significant because Utah had won the ABA championship only four years earlier.
The Virginia Squires managed to complete the regular season but were financially exhausted and folded before the final agreement with the NBA. By the time the championship was decided, the ABA had been reduced to a small collection of surviving organizations.
The final ABA Finals matched the New York Nets against the Denver Nuggets. Led by Julius Erving, New York defeated Denver in six games to win the 1976 championship. The final game in ABA history was played on May 13, 1976.
Read: The Collapse of the Baltimore Claws and the Final Days of the ABA »
The 1976 ABA-NBA Merger
After years of competition and unsuccessful merger negotiations, the ABA and NBA reached an agreement in 1976. Although the arrangement is commonly called the ABA-NBA merger, the NBA did not absorb every ABA franchise. Instead, four teams were admitted to the established league, while the remaining ABA organizations ceased operations.
The Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets and San Antonio Spurs entered the NBA for the 1976-77 season. The Kentucky Colonels and Spirits of St. Louis received financial settlements, while the Virginia Squires had already folded.
The agreement ended nearly a decade of direct competition between the leagues and brought many of the ABA's greatest players into the NBA. It also established new NBA franchises in Denver, Indianapolis and San Antonio while allowing the Nets organization to continue in the New York metropolitan market.
| ABA Franchise | 1976 Outcome | Present-Day Status |
|---|
| Denver Nuggets | Admitted to NBA | Denver Nuggets |
| Indiana Pacers | Admitted to NBA | Indiana Pacers |
| New York Nets | Admitted to NBA | Brooklyn Nets |
| San Antonio Spurs | Admitted to NBA | San Antonio Spurs |
| Kentucky Colonels | Ownership accepted buyout | Ceased operations |
| Spirits of St. Louis | Financial settlement | Ceased operations |
| Virginia Squires | Folded before final agreement | Ceased operations |
The Spirits of St. Louis Television Deal
One of the most unusual financial arrangements in professional sports history emerged from the ABA-NBA agreement. The owners of the Spirits of St. Louis, brothers Ozzie and Daniel Silna, did not receive an NBA franchise. Instead, they negotiated a settlement that included a continuing share of certain television revenues associated with the four ABA franchises entering the NBA.
The agreement became extraordinarily valuable as NBA television contracts increased in size over the following decades. The settlement produced hundreds of millions of dollars for the former Spirits ownership and became one of the most widely discussed business deals in sports history.
The arrangement was eventually restructured through a 2014 settlement involving the NBA, the former ABA franchises and the Spirits ownership group.
Read: The NBA Ghost Team - Spirits of St. Louis and Utah Rockies »
The 1976 ABA Dispersal Draft
Following the ABA-NBA agreement, players from the Kentucky Colonels and Spirits of St. Louis were made available to NBA teams through a special dispersal draft on August 5, 1976.
The Chicago Bulls selected Artis Gilmore with the first pick, while the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Maurice Lucas with the second selection. Portland also selected Moses Malone, although he did not remain with the team. Other notable selections included Ron Boone, Marvin Barnes and Louie Dampier.
The dispersal draft helped distribute some of the ABA's remaining talent throughout the NBA. Maurice Lucas became a major contributor to Portland's 1977 NBA championship, while Artis Gilmore continued his career as one of the NBA's premier centers.
View the Complete 1976 ABA Dispersal Draft »
ABA Players Who Became NBA Stars
The ABA's influence extended far beyond the four franchises admitted to the NBA. Numerous former ABA players became major NBA stars, All-Stars and championship contributors.
Julius Erving became the centerpiece of the Philadelphia 76ers and helped the franchise win the 1983 NBA championship. George Gervin developed into one of the NBA's greatest scorers with San Antonio, while Moses Malone became a three-time NBA MVP and joined Erving on Philadelphia's 1983 championship team.
Artis Gilmore continued to dominate the interior with Chicago and San Antonio. David Thompson became one of the NBA's most explosive offensive players with Denver, and Dan Issel remained a productive scorer and rebounder for the Nuggets.
Other former ABA standouts, including Maurice Lucas, George McGinnis, Louie Dampier, Ron Boone, Bobby Jones and Billy Cunningham, contributed significantly to NBA teams during the years following the agreement.
ABA Records, Statistics and Awards
Explore historical ABA statistics, individual achievements, playoff appearances, scoring records and award winners.
Notable ABA Records and Achievements
Most ABA Championships
The Indiana Pacers won three ABA championships, more than any other franchise. Indiana captured titles in 1970, 1972 and 1973.
Most ABA Championships by a Team Other Than Indiana
The New York Nets won two championships, capturing titles in 1974 and 1976 behind Julius Erving.
ABA Single-Game Scoring Record
Larry Miller of the Carolina Cougars scored 67 points against the Memphis Pros on March 18, 1972, establishing the ABA's single-game individual scoring record.
Highest Single-Season Team Win Total
The Kentucky Colonels finished the 1971-72 regular season with a 68-16 record, one of the greatest single-season performances in professional basketball history.
ABA Most Valuable Player Awards
Julius Erving won three ABA MVP awards, all with the New York Nets. Mel Daniels won twice with the Indiana Pacers, while Connie Hawkins, Spencer Haywood, Artis Gilmore, Billy Cunningham and George McGinnis also received the honor.
First ABA Champion
The Pittsburgh Pipers won the first ABA championship in 1968, defeating the New Orleans Buccaneers in seven games.
Final ABA Champion
The New York Nets won the final ABA championship in 1976, defeating the Denver Nuggets in six games.
ABA Most Valuable Players by Season
| Season | Most Valuable Player | Team |
|---|
| 1967-68 | Connie Hawkins | Pittsburgh Pipers |
| 1968-69 | Mel Daniels | Indiana Pacers |
| 1969-70 | Spencer Haywood | Denver Rockets |
| 1970-71 | Mel Daniels | Indiana Pacers |
| 1971-72 | Artis Gilmore | Kentucky Colonels |
| 1972-73 | Billy Cunningham | Carolina Cougars |
| 1973-74 | Julius Erving | New York Nets |
| 1974-75 | Julius Erving / George McGinnis | New York Nets / Indiana Pacers |
| 1975-76 | Julius Erving | New York Nets |
The ABA's Lasting Legacy
The American Basketball Association lasted only nine seasons, but its impact on basketball has continued for generations. The league helped popularize the three-point field goal, promoted a fast and athletic style of play and created memorable innovations that became part of modern professional basketball.
The ABA also changed the economics of the sport. Competition between the leagues increased demand for talented players, gave athletes greater negotiating power and helped accelerate the growth of professional basketball salaries.
Its influence was especially apparent after the 1976 agreement. Former ABA players immediately became important contributors throughout the NBA, and several went on to win championships, MVP awards and places in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Four former ABA franchises remain active in the NBA: the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets and San Antonio Spurs. Each organization represents a direct connection between today's NBA and the rival league that helped reshape professional basketball.
Although the ABA disappeared as an independent league in 1976, its history remains an essential chapter in the development of basketball in the United States.
ABA History Articles
A detailed history of the ABA, including its founding, greatest players, championship teams, financial difficulties, innovations and eventual agreement with the NBA.
The story of the Baltimore Claws, the franchise's three preseason games and the financial problems that helped bring the ABA to an end in 1976.
The story of Connie Hawkins, his legal battle and the struggle that eventually allowed one of basketball's greatest talents to compete in the NBA.
The unusual history of the Spirits of St. Louis, the proposed Utah Rockies franchise and the financial settlement that became one of the most famous agreements in professional sports.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ABA
What was the American Basketball Association?
The ABA was a professional basketball league that operated from 1967 through 1976 as a rival to the NBA. It featured 11 franchises during its inaugural season and helped popularize several innovations that became part of modern basketball.
When did the ABA begin?
The ABA began play in 1967, with the Pittsburgh Pipers winning the inaugural championship in 1968.
When did the ABA merge with the NBA?
The ABA and NBA reached an agreement in 1976 that brought four ABA franchises into the NBA for the 1976-77 season.
Which ABA teams joined the NBA?
The Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets and San Antonio Spurs joined the NBA in 1976. The Nets later relocated and now play in Brooklyn.
Which ABA team won the most championships?
The Indiana Pacers won three ABA championships in 1970, 1972 and 1973.
Who was the greatest ABA player?
Julius Erving is widely regarded as one of the greatest ABA players. He won three ABA MVP awards and led the New York Nets to championships in 1974 and 1976.
Did the ABA invent the three-point shot?
The ABA did not invent the three-point field goal, but it helped popularize the rule in major professional basketball. The NBA adopted the three-point line in 1979.
Why did the ABA fail?
The ABA struggled with limited television revenue, inconsistent attendance, franchise relocations and financial instability. By 1976, several teams had collapsed, and the remaining owners reached an agreement with the NBA.
What happened to the Kentucky Colonels?
The Kentucky Colonels ceased operations following the 1976 ABA-NBA agreement. Their ownership accepted a buyout, and several players became available through the ABA dispersal draft.
Who won the final ABA championship?
The New York Nets defeated the Denver Nuggets in six games to win the final ABA championship in May 1976.
Submit Historical Information or Corrections
NBAHoopsOnline welcomes historical basketball information, photographs, newspaper clippings, game programs, box scores, and other material that can help expand our basketball history records.
If you have additional information about the American Basketball Association or notice an error, please contact us at nbahoopsonline@gmail.com.
Please include the game, date, and any supporting sources when submitting corrections or additional historical information.
