WHO WE ARE · THREE ERAS OF ABA LEADERSHIP
From the original league that changed professional basketball, to the modern ABA USA movement, to a new international network led from México.
MEET THE LEADERS
THE ABA LEADERSHIP LINEAGE
Each era answered a different basketball moment. George Mikan helped launch a challenger league. Joe Newman rebuilt the ABA as a broad U.S. opportunity platform. Roberto Carlos Garcia Crook is developing the international bridge through ABA México and country-level partnerships.
THE ORIGINAL ABA · 1967–1976
Basketball pioneer George Mikan served as the first commissioner of the original American Basketball Association. He helped give the new league its unmistakable identity: bold presentation, a red-white-blue basketball and a game built to challenge convention.
EXPLORE THE ORIGINAL ABA →
THE MODERN ABA · SINCE 1999
Indiana-based executive Joe Newman co-founded the modern American Basketball Association with the late Richard P. Tinkham in 1999. His community-centered model opened professional basketball ownership and playing opportunities across the United States.
EXPLORE THE ABA OF TODAY →
ABA INTERNATIONAL × ABA MÉXICO
Known across basketball as Coach Bobby, Roberto Carlos Garcia Crook leads ABA México and the ABA International expansion vision from Los Cabos. His mandate connects approved country leadership, league development, player pathways, media and community impact worldwide.
EXPLORE ABA INTERNATIONAL →WHAT LEADERSHIP MUST PROTECT
01Respect the original ABA legacy
02Create real player and coaching pathways
03Protect official brands and league standards
04Build responsible ownership groups
05Put communities inside the league model
06Develop women and youth basketball
07Connect local leadership to global opportunity
08Grow with transparency and accountability
THE NEXT CHAPTER IS BEING BUILT NOW
Ownership, country leadership, sponsorship, media, player, coaching and community inquiries are now being organized through the ABA International hub.
START AN INQUIRYTHE ORIGINAL ABA · 1967–1976THE LEAGUE THAT TAUGHT BASKETBALL TO FLY.
3× ABA MVP · 2× champion
Image: ABA archive
1969 champion · Oakland Oaks
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Utah Stars · Spirits of St. Louis
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1972 MVP · 1975 champion
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2× MVP · 3× champion
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1968 MVP · champion · Playoffs MVP
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1971 champion · Playoffs MVP
Image: ABA archive