American Basketball Association Teams
The American Basketball Association operated from 1967 through 1976 and featured some of the most colorful and frequently relocated franchises in professional basketball history. During the ABA's nine seasons, teams moved between cities, changed names and ownership groups, and competed with the NBA for players and fans.
Four ABA franchises ultimately joined the NBA in 1976: the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets and San Antonio Spurs. Other franchises folded before or during the ABA-NBA agreement.
| Team |
ABA Years |
Franchise Lineage |
What Happened |
Baltimore Claws
|
1967-1975 |
New Orleans Buccaneers → Louisiana Buccaneers → Memphis Pros → Memphis Tams → Memphis Sounds → Baltimore Hustlers / Claws
|
The franchise moved repeatedly before collapsing in October 1975. The Baltimore Claws played only three preseason games and never played a regular-season ABA game.
|
Denver Nuggets
|
1967-1976 |
Denver Rockets → Denver Nuggets
|
Renamed the Nuggets in 1974 and became one of four ABA franchises admitted to the NBA in 1976.
|
Dallas Chaparrals
|
1967-1976 |
Dallas Chaparrals → Texas Chaparrals → Dallas Chaparrals → San Antonio Spurs
|
Moved permanently to San Antonio in 1973 and became one of the four ABA teams admitted to the NBA in 1976.
|
The Floridians
|
1967-1972 |
Minnesota Muskies → Miami Floridians → The Floridians
|
Moved from Minnesota to Miami after one season. The franchise became The Floridians in 1970 and folded following the 1971-72 season.
|
Indiana Pacers
|
1967-1976 |
Indiana Pacers
|
Won three ABA championships and became one of four ABA franchises admitted to the NBA in 1976.
|
Kentucky Colonels
|
1967-1976 |
Kentucky Colonels
|
One of the ABA's most successful franchises and the 1975 champions. The Colonels ceased operations after ownership accepted a buyout in 1976.
|
New York Nets
|
1967-1976 |
New Jersey Americans → New York Nets
|
Won ABA championships in 1974 and 1976 behind Julius Erving and became one of four ABA franchises admitted to the NBA.
|
Pittsburgh Condors
|
1967-1972 |
Pittsburgh Pipers → Minnesota Pipers → Pittsburgh Pipers → Pittsburgh Condors
|
Won the first ABA championship in 1968 before moving to Minnesota and later returning to Pittsburgh. The franchise folded in 1972.
|
Spirits of St. Louis
|
1967-1976 |
Houston Mavericks → Carolina Cougars → Spirits of St. Louis
|
The franchise was preparing to move to Salt Lake City as the Utah Rockies before the ABA-NBA agreement. It ceased operations in 1976.
|
San Diego Conquistadors
|
1972-1975 |
San Diego Conquistadors → San Diego Sails
|
The ABA's only true expansion franchise. The team became the San Diego Sails in 1975 and folded after 11 games of the 1975-76 season.
|
Utah Stars
|
1967-1975 |
Anaheim Amigos → Los Angeles Stars → Utah Stars
|
Moved to Utah in 1970 and won the 1971 ABA championship. The Stars folded during the 1975-76 season after playing 16 games.
|
Virginia Squires
|
1967-1976 |
Oakland Oaks → Washington Caps → Virginia Squires
|
Won the 1969 ABA championship as the Oakland Oaks. The franchise later moved to Washington and Virginia before folding in 1976.
|
ABA Teams That Joined the NBA
When the ABA and NBA reached an agreement in 1976, four ABA franchises were admitted into the NBA. All four remain active today.
ABA Franchise Relocations
Franchise relocation was one of the defining characteristics of the American Basketball Association. Several organizations changed cities more than once during the league's brief nine-season history.
| Franchise |
Complete ABA Lineage |
| Utah Stars Franchise |
Anaheim Amigos → Los Angeles Stars → Utah Stars |
| Virginia Squires Franchise |
Oakland Oaks → Washington Caps → Virginia Squires |
| Spirits of St. Louis Franchise |
Houston Mavericks → Carolina Cougars → Spirits of St. Louis |
| Pittsburgh Condors Franchise |
Pittsburgh Pipers → Minnesota Pipers → Pittsburgh Pipers → Pittsburgh Condors |
| Floridians Franchise |
Minnesota Muskies → Miami Floridians → The Floridians |
| Baltimore Claws Franchise |
New Orleans Buccaneers → Louisiana Buccaneers → Memphis Pros → Memphis Tams → Memphis Sounds → Baltimore Claws |
| San Antonio Spurs Franchise |
Dallas Chaparrals → Texas Chaparrals → Dallas Chaparrals → San Antonio Spurs |
| Brooklyn Nets Franchise |
New Jersey Americans → New York Nets |
| Denver Nuggets Franchise |
Denver Rockets → Denver Nuggets |
| San Diego Franchise |
San Diego Conquistadors → San Diego Sails |
Explore More ABA History
The ABA lasted only nine seasons, but its franchises, stars and innovations had a lasting impact on professional basketball. NBA Hoops Online maintains individual histories for the league's teams as well as season-by-season standings, champions, awards, records and player information.
Return to the American Basketball Association History Page
