Who We Are?

American Basketball Association

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 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 since.

Unique Rules

  • The ABA season runs from November through April (including playoffs).
  • Four (4) twelve minute quarters
  • 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
  • When the 3D Light is on: 2 pt. shots = 3 pts. | 3 pt. shots = 4 pts. | a half-court shot = 5 pts.
  • 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.

JOE NEWMAN, CEO AMERICAN BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Welcome to the ABA. As we enter into our 21st season, we are very proud to have become the largest professional sports league in the US, with 70% of our owners being African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American and women.  We are pleased to provide high quality professional basketball at affordable prices – and to provide thousands of opportunities on and off the court each year