Posted By Don Sanchez via ABA Website
Indianapolis, IN.  

The American Basketball Association (ABA) www.americanbasketballassociation.org today formally challenged the NBA Development League (NBDL) to a series of exhibition games prior to the upcoming season.  "As we enter into our 15th season, we believe the timing is right for the two leagues to play one another," stated ABA Co-founder Joe Newman."  "The quality of basketball in the ABA is tremendous and it is time the world had a chance to see how good our players really are."

"The NBA has always been the golden ring for our players," added Don Sanchez, ABA VP of West Coast Operations, "the NBDL has been the silver ring and international teams the bronze ring. I believe that exhibition games between the two leagues would really stimulate interest in professional basketball and I hope that the NBDL will agree to it, leading to more of our players getting opportunities in the NBA and NBDL. Our players already fill the rosters of international teams worldwide."

"I really don't understand why this hasn't happened before," continued Michael Dixon, owner of the Fayetteville Flight and a member of the ABA's Executive Committee. "MLB teams play minor league teams; NCAA Division I teams play NCAA Division 2 teams.  This is not a "put down" to the NBDL; we acknowledge the outstanding quality of their teams.  But we are very proud of our teams and our players and would like to compete against strong teams."

"We believe this would be a great a great series to carry on Sports Radio America (www.sportsradioamerica.com)," added SRA GM/Program Director Ayokunle Spencer, "and we are ready to do that if the NBDL agrees, providing both leagues with worldwide broadcast coverage."

For more information, visit www.americanbasketballassociation.org or www.sportsradioamerica.com.