The American Basketball Association

One of the most compelling stories in American professional sports is the rise of the American Basketball Association or the ABA. Founded in 1967, the ABA emerged as a rival to the NBA, which had become predictable and stale. The ABA emerged as a flamboyant contrast. Fans packed into tiny gyms to watch the ABA shatter the NBA norms, showcasing brilliant dunks, a three point shot, and an iconic red, white, and blue ball. Learn more about the American Basketball Association on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. This is the story of the one. As the purchasing manager at a manufacturing plant, she knows the only thing more important than having the right safety gear is having it there when you need it. That's why she partners with Grainger for auto reordering so her team members can count on her to have cut resistant gloves on hand, and each shift can run safely and efficiently. Call 1800, click grainger.com, or just stop by. Granger, for the ones who get it done. Get in the game with the college branded Venmo debit card. Rack your team with every tap and earn up to 5% cash back with Venmo Stash, a new rewards program from Venmo. No monthly fee, no minimum balance, just school pride and spending power. Get in the game and sign up for the Venmo debit card at venmo.com/collegecard. The Venmo Mastercard is issued by the bank NA. Select schools available. Venmo stash terms and exclusions apply at venmo.me/stashterms. Max, $100 cash back per month. The Boston Celtics of the nineteen sixties are the most dominant dynasty in the history of American professional basketball. Led by legendary center Bill Russell, the Celtics won an absurd nine out of 10 titles during the decade. NBA parity was at an all time low as the Celtics ran roughshod over the entire league. The NBA had slipped well behind baseball and football in fan interest. And by the late nineteen sixties, the time was right for a change. The American Basketball Association was formed by 11 pioneering owners who made a bold bet on themselves. With only a $5,000 investment per franchise, a fraction of the NBA's fee, they launched an exciting new league. Their goal was to create a product compelling enough to eventually force the NBA into a highly lucrative merger. The ABA was a classic buy low, sell high scheme, but to pull off the scheme, they needed to fill seats and generate buzz. Part of the plan was to establish franchises in nontraditional markets to expand professional basketball's reach. The challenge of making this work was much harder, and the league experienced financial difficulties throughout its entire existence. The ABA didn't have a TV contract, so all of their revenue came from ticket sales, which was difficult because they often had to rent small arenas or high school gyms. Those teams that survived saw their financial gamble pay off. And perhaps the greatest story of the ABA's …