American Basketball Association (1967-1968)
Tombstone
Born: September 7, 1967, ABA New York franchise shifts to New Jersey1New Jersey Americans, AP via The Nevada Daily Mail, Sep. 7, 1967
Relocated: July 15, 19682First It Was Mets, Now It’s The Nets, AP via The Herald Journal, Jul.16, 1968 (New York Nets)
Arena
Arena:
Teaneck Armory
Opened: 1936
Marketing
Team Colors:
Red, Blue, and White
Ownership
Owner: Arthur J. Brown and Mark Binstein (remained owners after relocation)
ABA Championships: None
Background
The New Jersey Americans were charter members of the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1967. The franchise was awarded to trucking magnate Arthur J. Brown, with hopes of being the upstart league’s New York franchise. At first the team planned to play in the Singer Bowl on the site of the 1964 World’s Fair. Brown planned to cover the stadium and convert it into a 14,000-seat arena.
When that plan fell through, the team made arrangements to play in the 69th Regiment Armory in Lower Manhattan, former home of the NBA’s New York Knicks. However pressure from the Knicks caused the Armory to renege on the deal, and the team was forced to find a new home.
Our Favorite Gear
new Jersey ABA Apparel
When it comes to T-Shirts and replica jerseys, we turn to our friends at Royal Retros, who put extraordinary detail into their fully customizable basketball apparel.
Free Customization Included
Each jersey individually handmade
Any name and number
Sewn tackle twill crest, numbers & letters
100% polyester
Heavyweight fabric made to game standards
Relive the days of the Garden State’s first pro basketball team, with New Jersey Americans apparel from Royal Retros. Multiple styles and colors available.
With just over a month to go before the start of the ABA’s first season, the team signed an agreement to play in the Teaneck Armory in New Jersey, at which point they changed their name to the New Jersey Americans.
The team finished tied for fourth place in the league’s Eastern Division, forcing a one-game playoff with the Kentucky Colonels. Unfortunately, the Teaneck Armory was booked by a circus, forcing the Americans to find anther venue for the game. They settled on the Commack Arena on Long Island, only to find, right before tip-off, that the floor wasn’t up to league standards. As such, the game was forfeited to the Colonels, who went on to face the Minnesota Muskies in the first round of the playoffs.3Colonels In Playoffs, Lose To Minnesota, AP via The Portsmouth Times, Mar. 25, 1968
They only spent one season in the Garden State before moving (back) across the Hudson, and the East River, to become the New York Nets [READ MORE]
LINKS
##