ABA Sets Teams for 2003-04
Published on July 17, 2003 under American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release
Lenexa, KS â League officials from the American Basketball Association are proud to announce they have the roster of teams being invited to play in the 2003/2004 season.
The league will play with eight franchises in the US and Mexico, with a number of expansion teams looking for entry into the 2004/2005 season. The following franchises will tip off in the fall of 2003 for another exciting season of fan-friendly and affordable ABA basketball: Kansas City Knights, Long Beach Jam, Las Vegas Rattlers, Gallos de Pelea de Juarez, Soles de Jalisco, Tijuana Diablos, along with a franchise in Trenton, New Jersey, that has not yet chosen a name and Omaha, Nebraska, conditional to finalizing terms of the lease agreement with the local arena.
Expanding the ABA brand into Mexico is an important step in the growth and direction the league is taking. With the influx of international players into US market and the increased level of competition in basketball worldwide, it is only natural to focus the ABA brand internationally. Not only will the league be playing in three Mexico cities this fall, but the owner of the Long Beach Jam is a businessman who also owns a basketball team Niigata, Japan which plays in the Japanese Basketball League.
"We are very pleased to have added the Mexican teams", states Jim Clark, ABA CEO. "The ownership groups are very experienced, knowledgeable basketball people, and with the large number of Hispanics in the US, it should create a large new fan base for the ABA".
Just as the ABA is placing a high standard on the quality of the ownership groups joining the league, the same standard is being placed on the personnel, coaches, and players who will represent the league. Two notable and highly respected coaches from the basketball community have made their commitment to the league by accepting active positions with ABA franchises. Legendary UNLV coach, Jerry Tarkanian, brings his knowledge of the game and his connection to the Las Vegas community as President of the Las Vegas Rattlers. Keeping in the tradition of high-scoring ABA games, Paul Westhead, who has had success coaching at both the collegiate and professional level of the sport, re-joins the ABA by taking the head coaching position with the Long Beach Jam.
"It is the fast tempo and high scoring games that really intrigues me about the ABA", says Westhead. "I think this league provides a great opportunity for a lot of talented players. I am looking forward to re-joining the ABA as the Head Coach of the Long Beach franchise."
The ABA season will begin play in late November 2003 and run a 36 game schedule through March 2004. The season will culminate with an ABA Championship Weekend, which will include an All Star Celebration, the 2003/2004 Championship game, and other exciting events.
The ABA will continue to focus on putting a high level of talent on the floor, while offering affordable entertainment for the entire family. Look forward to exciting promotions, fun giveaways, and some unique surprises in ABA venues across the country, but most of all, get ready for some fast paced, high scoring basketball.
The ABA league schedule will be released in late August. For more information on the league or individual franchises visit the website at www.abalive.com or call the league office at (913) 492-2055.
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.
American Basketball Association Stories from July 17, 2003
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.
