Everything Everywhere Daily: History, Science, Geography, & More The American Basketball Association
Feb 27, 2026
A lively dive into a rival basketball league that upended the sport with flashy fashion, high-flying dunks, and the first three-point shot. The story traces risky team finances, a legendary TV-revenue deal, and how a colorful ball and inclusive culture challenged the establishment. It closes on the league’s dramatic merger and its lasting influence on modern basketball.
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Cheap Franchises Fueled A High-Risk Challenger
- The ABA launched in 1967 as a low-cost, high-risk challenger to the stagnant NBA with $5,000 franchise fees.
- Eleven owners placed teams in nontraditional markets and relied on ticket sales from small gyms to build buzz and force a merger.
Silna Brothers Turned Folded Team Into Fortune
- The Silna brothers bought the St. Louis Spirits and when the ABA folded they accepted a settlement that included a perpetual TV revenue share.
- That one-seventh TV share ultimately earned them over $800 million before a 2014 buyout.
Flexible Eligibility Changed Pro Basketball Pathways
- The ABA used player-acquisition rules to leapfrog the NBA by allowing underclassmen and hardship cases to turn pro.
- Spencer Haywood left after his sophomore year, won ABA MVP and Rookie of the Year, and set a legal precedent that opened doors for younger pros.