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The ABA –

America’s Largest and Most Diversified Professional Sports League

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The American Basketball Association (ABA) is a men’s professional basketball league. The league has grown to become the largest professional sports league in the world! In 1999 Joe Newman and the late Richard P. Tinkham founded the league. It is the re-launch of the original ABA which merged with the NBA in 1976. Tinkham co-founded both the original ABA and the Indiana Pacers. Joe Newman was the CEO of Joe Newman Advertising, Inc. and Alliance Broadcasting Group, Inc. The ABA was established in 1967 and merged with the National Basketball Association in 1976 [New Jersey Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets]. Some of the ABA notable players where: Julius Irving (Dr. J) George Gervin (The Iceman), Ricky Barry, Moses Malone along with, many others that came to be NBA players. The ABA was reformed in 2000 in partnership with the NBA and has been operating in harmony for the past 22 years.

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Facts and Unique ABA Rules

• Professional Basketball League with over 100 teams

• Signature red, white, and blue basketball is still in-play

• Original league to institute the 3-point shot and slam dunk competitions

• NBA teams that started in the ABA include:  San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, and Brooklyn Nets (formerly in New Jersey)

• NBA All-Stars that played in the ABA:  Julius “Dr. J” Irving, Artis Gilmore, Christian Laettner, George “Iceman” Gervin

• The ABA season runs from November through April (including playoffs)

• Four (4) twelve minute quarters

• 3D rule. If a turnover originates from the backcourt the next offensive possession is +1 point if the team scores.

• When the 3D Light is on 2 pt. shots = 3 pts. | 3 pt. shots = 4 pts. | a half-court shot = 5 pts

• Half-Court violation: the ABA is 7 seconds opposed to 8 seconds in the NBA to get across the half-court line. If an ABA team is not successful in getting over the half-court line within 7 seconds it results in a turnover which initiates the 3D light

• Six (6) Fouls leads to a technical foul and the ball. Players cannot foul out of the game, but after six fouls it results in a technical and the opposing team gets the ball. The team that has the player with six fouls has the choice to keep that player in the game. However, if he fouls again, he receives not only the foul but also a technical foul

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