ABA returns to Indianapolis in 2005

Published on February 5, 2005 under American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release


Indianapolis, IN. Joe Newman, ABA CEO, today announced that the pro basketball league will return to Indianapolis in November with a new ownership group.

According to Newman, "We are very pleased that there will be a team in Indy. The league has made many changes and has grown at a record pace as a result of the changes. The new business model, very different from the previous one, has proven to be very successful. We will have over 70 teams in the ABA in 2005 with some extraordinary regional rivalries. Indianapolis will be playing cities like Detroit, Chicago, Cincinnati, Toledo, Columbus, Kentucky, Cleveland, Nashville, St. Louis and others in the midwest. It should be great basketball."

Newman added, "And the ownership group here is outstanding led by Rob Blackwell of Blackwell Sports. Rob and his wife own Blackwell Fitness and train professional athletes. We know the team will be in condition."

Rob Blackwell is a native of Farrell, PA where he starred in basketball and was recruited by Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA where he was a four year starter. After a successful collegiate and pro career, he returned to his alma mater as Asst. Head Coach and helped lead Farrell High School to a AAAA Interscholastic Athletic League Championship. With a BA Degree in Sales and Marketing, he earned Top Sellers Awards as an IBM Account Rep and went on to success as GM of one of the countries largest health fitness and sports corporations. He managed facilities in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.

Blackwell added, "I've had a great business career, but my passion for basketball continues. The opportunity to be a part of the ABA is a life's dream and we will do everything we can to make the city and the league proud. I'll be announcing my partners and associates shortly and I think you'll see why we feel that we can be very successful here."

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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American Basketball Association Stories from February 5, 2005


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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