In 1961, founder and owner of the popular and successful Harlem Globetrotters Abe Saperstein founded the American Basketball League (ABL). But there is a story behind the formation of this league, a time when the NBA had only nine franchises. Legend has it that Mr. Saperstein -- whose Globetrotters often played games as part of double-headers at NBA arenas, boosting attendance and helping keep the fledgling NBA afloat -- was under the impression that, due to his years of NBA "favors", when the NBA expanded out west to Los Angeles he would be awarded a franchise.

But when the Minneapolis Lakers relocated to Los Angeles, Mr. Saperstein was left out of the picture. In response to that snub, he formed his own rival professsional hoop league. He made sure there was an ABL franchise in Los Angeles, the L.A. Jets. The upstart ABL employed a three-point shot, which was adopted later by the ABA and eventually the NBA. In the inaugural ABL season of 1961-62, the Cleveland Pipers, run by future New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and coached by former Celtics' great Bill Sharman, won the title. Future Hall of Famer Connie Hawkings of the Pittsburgh Rens, who at that time was in exile from the NBA for alleged ties to a gambling scandal, was named league MVP. All of this was short-lived, however, as halfway through the 1962-63 season, the ABL folded.

Presented here is an super scarce ABL Spalding "Last Bilt" leather official game ball with heavy wear from presumed game use as well as age and storage. For a 60+ year-old ball, it stilll presents in good shape despite a few dark areas of staining or toning. The Spalding and ABL logos with Commissioner Abe Saperstein's facsimile signature stamp remain legible and fairly clean. This is the second such 1961-62 ABL basketball we have handled, the first selling for $8,711 in our Winter 2022 Auction. A significant addition to any vintage basketball collection, don't miss this rare chance to own a piece of early roundball history!