American Basketball League

American Basketball League (1996-1998)

Tombstone

Formed: 1995
Disbanded: December 22, 1998

First Game: October 18, 1996
Last Game: December 20, 1998

Seasons: 2.5
Franchises: 11
States: 11
(CA, CO, CT, GA, IL, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WA)

Leadership

Co-Founders: Gary Cavalli, Anne Cribbs & Steve Hams

Chief Executive Officer:

  • December 1996 – December 1998: Gary Cavalli

Attendance

Sources:

  • 1997-98 American Basketball League Media Guide (1996-97 Figures)
  • 1998-99 San Jose Lasers Media Guide (1997-98 Figures)
  • Fun While It Lasted box score analysis of all 63 1998-99 ABL games from NewspapersArchives.com. (1998-99 figures)

Trophy Case

American Basketball League Most Valuable Player

YEARPLAYERPOSITIONTEAM
1996-97Nikki McCrayForwardColumbus Quest
1997-98Natalie WilliamsCenterPortland Power
1998-99Season Cancelled

 

Background

The American Basketball League (ABL) was a women’s professional league which launched in 1996 and competed with the NBA-backed Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The ABL initially attracted better talent than the WNBA, thanks to better salaries and benefits.  But the league was unable to compete for coveted sponsorships and television contracts. The ABL folded on December 22, 1998 only two months into its third season of play.

 

American Basketball League Franchise List

FRANCHISEYEARS ACTIVEABL CHAMPIONS
Atlanta Glory1996-1998Never
Chicago Condors1998Never
Colorado Xplosion1996-1998Never
Columbus Quest1996-19981997 & 1998
Long Beach Stingrays1997-1998Never
Nashville Noise1998Never
New England Blizzard1996-1998Never
Philadelphia Rage1997-1998Never
Portland Power1996-1998Never
Richmond Rage1996-1997Never
San Jose Lasers1996-1998Never
Seattle Reign1996-1998Never

 

Downloads

1997-98 American Basketball League Human Resources Manual

1997-98 American Basketball League Human Resources Manual

 

American Basketball League Shop

 

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Comments

One Response

  1. Greetings from the No 1 Rage Fan. It truly was fun while it lasted. I still have my sneakers from Nike and the Vibe Magazine which featured me in it’s article about the ABL. No more sloppy cartwheels and splits. Too old for that!

    January 2, 2014

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