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American Basketball Association (2000–present)

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The American Basketball Association (ABA) is a men's professional basketball league founded in 1999 as a revival of the defunct basketball league, also called the American Basketball Association, that merged with the NBA in 1976.

American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
History ABA 2000 (1999-2002)
ABA (2003-present)
Owner Joe Newman

History

File:Abaallstar.jpg
The scoreboard for the 2006 ABA All-Star Game

The revived American Basketball Association was formed in late 1999 by Joe Newman and Richard Tinkham. During the league's first two seasons, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002, it was known as ABA 2000. The league suspended operations following the second season, but resumed play in 2003-2004 without the 2000 moniker.

The league undertook a new business model upon its return, resulting in an ambitious expansion program beginning with the 2004-2005 season. Virtually anyone willing to pay the league's expansion fee ($10,000 or $20,000 depending on when they applied) was awarded an ABA franchise.

The expansion has had chaotic results since that time, with many teams failing to meet their financial obligations and folding during the course of the season. Others have been forced to cancel games and curtail their schedules, with the playoff format being revised several times because of qualified teams failing to appear for games.

Despite these problems, a new round of expansion for 2005-2006 occurred. Forty-seven teams were scheduled to begin play for the 2005-2006 season. However, one team never started the season, and seven of those teams had either folded or left the league within six weeks. Another six teams were gone by January 2006. Several struggling teams fulfilled their road dates by organizing pickup teams of former players who lived near the host site, while other teams refused to travel at all. Three teams that qualified for the 2005-2006 ABA Playoffs did not participate.

Another wave of expansion has been announced for the 2006-2007 season, including multinational partnerships in Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC. The introduction of both clubs is based on the success of Beijing Aoshen Olympian's first ABA season in Maywood, CA. One notable 2006-2007 expansion franchise is the Vermont Frost Heaves, owned by Sports Illustrated writer Alexander Wolff. Beginning with this season, the cost for a new expansion franchise was raised to $50,000.[1]

Current teams

2007-2008 teams

Inactive teams

Defunct teams

Teams no longer in ABA

ABA All-Star Games

ABA Playoffs

2000-2001

2001-2002

2003-2004

2004-2005

2005-2006

ABA Awards

Player of the Year

MVP - Championship Game

MVP - All-Star Game

See also: List of developmental and minor sports leagues

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