On August 3, 1949, basketball history was forever changed. After years of competition and fragmentation, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL) officially merged to form what we now know as the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The BAA, founded in 1946, had its roots in major cities and large arenas, think Boston Garden and Madison Square Garden. Its teams included iconic franchises like:
- Boston Celtics
- Minneapolis Lakers (now Los Angeles Lakers)
- New York Knicks
- Philadelphia Warriors (now Golden State Warriors)
- Rochester Royals (now Sacramento Kings)
Meanwhile, the NBL, established in 1937, thrived in smaller Midwestern towns and gymnasiums. It boasted teams like:
- Syracuse Nationals (now Philadelphia 76ers)
- Tri-Cities Blackhawks (now Atlanta Hawks)
The rivalry between the BAA and NBL had reached a boiling point. Both leagues were battling for players, fans, and financial survival. The BAA had begun poaching top NBL talent, including superstar George Mikan, who joined the Minneapolis Lakers and became the face of the new league.
To avoid collapse and unify the sport, representatives from both leagues met at the Empire State Building in New York City. Maurice Podoloff, then president of the BAA, was elected commissioner of the newly formed NBA.
Though the NBA began with 17 teams, financial struggles and waning fan interest led to contraction. By the 1954–55 season, only eight teams remained. But innovation saved the day, most notably the introduction of the 24-second shot clock, which revolutionized the pace of play and reignited fan excitement.
Today, the NBA is a global powerhouse, with 30 teams, billions in revenue, and stars from every corner of the world. But it all started with a handshake on August 3, 1949.
