The ABA’s last hurrah

On October 22, 1975, I was bummed out by news that the World Football League had folded. Two days later, however, the American Basketball Association was starting its ninth season, and under normal circumstances that would’ve lifted my spirits.

I loved the ABA; it was my favorite professional roundball organization then and if I could conjure it into existence now, I would. But October 24, 1975, was the beginning of the end, and its demise was quite obvious before the nine teams ever tipped off.

In September of that year, the New York Nets (my favorite club) and Denver Nuggets had already applied for admission to the National Basketball Association. Four days before the 1975-76 campaign got under way, the rest of the franchises (Kentucky Colonels, Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, San Diego Sails, Spirits of St. Louis and Utah Stars) followed suit.

Each team sent an identical telegram to NBA Commissioner Larry O’Brien. It read:

“The (name of franchise) hereby request application for membership in the National Basketball Association, commencing with the 1976-77 season. If the NBA has interest in considering an application, we would like the NBA to join with us in petitioning Judge Robert L. Carter for permission to process an application under such circumstances as he may deem appropriate and consistent with his prior orders.”

Carter was hearing an action brought by the NBA Players Association in which they requested the right to negotiate with any team in any league. In addition, he had ruled that if there was a merger, it had to be approved by himself and the NBAPA.

On October 24, O’Brien said he was rejecting the ABA applications “for the time being,” meaning he was open to it once the legal issues were resolved.

And it wasn’t like there was any groundswell of support to save the ABA – not even among league officials. Commissioner Dave DeBusschere said owners pushed for a merger during their October 9-10 meetings.

“Of course, we realize this cannot be accomplished by our act alone because of outstanding court orders preventing any accommodations without the cooperation and agreement of the basketball players and the approval of the courts,” DeBusschere said in statement released by the league. “It is anticipated that our action will stimulate the necessary discussion between all the parties that make up professional basketball, owners and players alike, with a view toward putting professional basketball on a sound common sense and businesslike basis, ensuring its survival in a healthy atmosphere, free of  disputes, lawsuits and controversy for the ultimate benefit of its owners, players and most of all, its fans.”

I followed the NBA and enjoyed it (the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks garnered most of my interest), but to me the ABA was more exciting – and far more fun to watch. It wasn’t just the red, white and blue basketballs, it was the free flowing, high-flying style of play.

Instead of a merger, I wanted to see two distinct leagues that remained separate until they played a best-of-seven Basketball World Series.

And the since the ABA came into its ninth year with a 31-17 record against the NBA in exhibition games, it had a legitimate shot at proving it was just as good (and sometimes better) than the senior circuit’s contingent.

Still, I was seeing all this through the lens of a 14-year old who had no interest in the business side of sports. If I had, I would’ve realized the ABA was already Dead League Walking.

At the dawn of the 1975-76 season, the NBA had 18 teams and a national TV contract with CBS. The ABA, on the other hand, had shrunk from the original 11 cities it repped beginning in 1967-68.

A Baltimore franchise (relocated from Memphis) folded during the preseason, and there was no countrywide television coverage. CBS stopped carrying ABA contests after the 1972-73 schedule was complete, and the Hughes Television Network deal was one-and-done in 1973-74.

The good news (for me, anyway) is that the Nets went on to win the championship in Year Nine.

The bad news is that the league as a whole limped to the finish line. The Sails folded after just 11 games and the Stars went out of business with a 4-12 record.

The Squires called it quits at the end of the regular season, leaving the American Basketball Association with only six squads.

New York wrapped up the title on May 13, 1976, and on June 17, it was announced that the Nets, Nuggets, Spurs and Pacers would be absorbed into the NBA. The Colonels and Spirit went sneakers up.

That was bittersweet news for me.

Yes, I was glad the Nets survived, but my favorite league was dead. It was as though the scrappy kids who rode the bus every day were now being forced to join a snooty private school – and play by their rules.

But, living in the past is depressing, so I’ve forgiven the NBA for smothering the ABA.

The Nets (now in Brooklyn) remain my favorite team, I continue to have a special fondness for the “leftovers” (Nuggets, Spurs, and Pacers), and I appreciate the stability and quality of a league that’s 30-teams strong.

The merger was, indeed, in the best interests of pro basketball.

Not gonna lie though – I’ll always miss those red, white and blue basketballs.