History of the Brooklyn Nets

Lore & Background

The franchise was established in 1967 as a founding member of the ABA, with trucking magnate Arthur J. Brown as owner. Originally named the New York Americans, the team was forced to play in Teaneck, New Jersey, after the New York Knicks pressured the 69th Regiment Armory to back out. The team played as the New Jersey Americans in its first season, tying for the final playoff spot but forfeiting a tiebreaker game when the Long Island Arena floor was deemed unplayable. The franchise then moved to Long Island, changed its name to the New York Nets, and struggled until clothing manufacturer Roy Boe bought the team in 1969.

Reader's Guide

The Brooklyn Nets' significance lies in their origins as an ABA founding franchise and their role in the ABA–NBA merger. The team won two ABA championships in 1974 and 1976, led by Julius Erving, who was named league MVP both seasons. After joining the NBA in 1976, the Nets were forced to pay an invasion fee to the Knicks and traded Erving to the Philadelphia 76ers for financial reasons, leading to a period of decline. The franchise moved back to New Jersey in 1977, becoming the New Jersey Nets, and eventually relocated to Brooklyn in 2012. The team's history reflects the competitive and financial pressures of professional basketball in the New York metropolitan area.

Did You Know?

• The team originally played as the New Jersey Americans because the New York Knicks blocked their use of a Manhattan venue.
• The franchise forfeited a playoff tiebreaker game in 1968 when the Long Island Arena floor was found to be unstable and unsafe.
• Julius Erving, known as 'Dr. J', led the Nets to two ABA championships and was named league MVP both seasons.
• The Nets were forced to pay a $4.8 million invasion fee to the Knicks as a condition of joining the NBA.