NBA Inception, 1946 – 1949
The Association of Basketball Professionals (NBA) that is well known today was the result of a merger between the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League, it can also be claimed that the merger was more of a collaboration considering the fact that two competing leagues came and worked together.
A Brief Look Into the Evolution Of Professional Basketball
Before the NBA, professional basketball in the United States was fragmented, with several leagues and independent teams competing for players, fans, and financial stability.
Establishment Motive: NBL came into existence in order to empower American corporations, for example General Electric and Firestone using basketball as a means to promote their product.
Regional focus: It was chiefly supported between the upper mid and western regions of the United States of America, teams that were part of the league included but were not limited to Akron Goodyear Wingfoots and Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons.
Playing Styles: Basketball that was played during that period was very much favored as the NBL took a different approach with a core center on teams and defense strategies.
The BAA (1946–1949):
Market Goals: Big cities such as Philadelphia and Boston, along with New York pitched into form the BAA in nineteen forty six with a vision to expand the audience base of basketball.
More Professional: Attempting to capture the big time prominence of football and baseball, BAA turned towards more entertainment focused arenas.
Prominent Players: Some of the craze Hall Of Famers such as George Mikan were recruited by BAA among the best basketball players from colleges.
The Scrapping of NBL and BAA
It was clear that there was not enough room for healthy competition and tolerance between the leagues, spilling into the years of 1949. While warring for more players and increasing their market share, they both set themselves on the path of major losses.
Why the Merger:
Competition for Players: Economically viable teams from both leagues began competing for the same players, raising their reception salaries.
Public Interest: Although The BAA reputation for high attendance aided in drawing fans and the media to impact key games, it lacked the depth of teams that the NBL had.
Financial Set Limits: NBL teams from small markets struggled due to professional basketball being extremely costly.
The Agreement in 1949:
The unification agreement between the two leagues was executed from 1949 which provided the groundwork for establishing the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Constitution: The new body constituted the combination of BAA and NBL franchises in the total of 17 teams.
Authority: Maurice Podoloff, who was the BAA president, became a president of the newly formed NBA.
The Evolution of the Union
The merger of the NBA was a revolutionary event in the history of sports. It allowed the professional basketball to develop into a worldwide sensation. From its modest beginnings, the NBA matured into a league of 30 teams which recruits top players globally and earns billions in revenue.
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