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ABA announces playoff format

December 14, 2004 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release


Indianapolis, IN. Joe Newman, ABA co-Founder, today announced the format for the playoffs of the professional basketball league to begin in mid-March. According to Newman, "We looked at a variety of different models and felt that the sudden death approach used by both the NFL and the NCAA works very well for them and should work very well for us rather than the traditional best of five, best of seven approach."

Newman added, "Sixteen of the 35 teams will be included and will be seeded 1-16. The division winners and the runners up of each of the three divisions will be included along with the six next best overall records (regardless of division)."

"Here's where it really gets innovative," stated Dick Tinkham, ABA co-Founder and Special Counsel. "In keeping with our out-of-the-box approach to things, we'll include the next four teams with the best point differential for the season. This means two things - four teams with poor records can make the playoffs if they are playing good, close games - and it means that every point in every game is important. The point differential could mean the difference between making the playoffs and not making the playoffs. Teams will play out the full games regardless of the win-loss because points count."

The opening games will be played at the venues of the six top seeds plus the two next best records. Second round games will be played at the venues of the highest seeded teams and so on until the final game.

Ricardo Richardson, ABA EVP, concluded, "On Jan 15th, Feb 1st, Feb 15th and Mar 1st, we'll post the playoff teams as they stand so that fans will know who is in contention for playoff spots as we head to the end of the season. It should be exciting. You can keep track on the ABA website."

For more information and updates, visit www.abalive.com.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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