This day in NY sports history

THIS DAY IN NY SPORTS HISTORY

Thursday, Feb. 2, 1967

ABA is formed and births the Nets

The American Basketball Association was formed with an official announcement at the Hotel Carlyle in Manhattan. The league introduced a red, white and blue ball, the three-point shot and 10 franchises, including the New York Americans. The Americans made the Armory in New Jersey their home for the inaugural season but moved to Long Island Arena in Commack in their second year and renamed themselves the Nets. They moved again to the Island Garden in West Hempstead and eventually settled at Nassau Coliseum in 1972. The franchise, which won two ABA titles, featured star Rick Barry and later Julius "Dr. J" Erving from Roosevelt. The ABA merged with the NBA in '76 and the Nets were among the four teams that joined.