What does ABL mean in BASKETBALL

The American Basketball League (ABL) was a professional basketball league that ran from 1996 to 1998. It was composed of 8 teams located in cities across the United States and Canada. The ABL emphasized high-scoring, fast-paced action and gave professional opportunities to female basketball players.

The inaugural season of the American Basketball League began in 1996. It lasted for two seasons before folding in 1998.

The ABL was one of the first professional women's basketball leagues to offer pay comparable to what men's teams were getting at the time. Additionally, they incorporated new rules that were more conducive to a faster-paced, higher-scoring game.

The Richmond Rage were crowned champions of the first season of the ABL after defeating the Colorado Xplosion in 1997.

During its two years in existence, 8 teams were part of the American Basketball League - four each from both countries represented in the league -– Canada and United States.

From 1996-1998, eight teams were part of this highly competitive professional league — Colorado Xplosion (Colorado), Columbus Quest (Ohio), Philadelphia Rage (Pennsylvania), Portland Power (Oregon), Richmond Rage (Virginia), San Jose Lasers (California), Seattle Reign (Washington) and Toronto Triumph (Ontario).

Basic Capital Management purchased an initial 50 percent share of all eight franchises during its inaugural season, while individual owners took on majority shares for their respective teams later on.

Each team played half of their schedule at home, while playing away games against their fellow competition across North America. Home arenas for most teams included universities like Stanford University and Duke University as well as various minor league hockey venues such as UIC Pavilion located in Chicago.