Joeseph Newman – ABA CEO
1. Joseph, as CEO, what motivated you to re-launch the ABA in 1999, and what vision did you have for its future at the time?
Joseph: I had been involved with the original ABA as the Ad Agency for the Indiana Pacers, both during the ABA days and early NBA days. At that time, I thought there was a need for another developmental league and that professional sports were lacking diversity of ownership. I decided to make it easier to own and operate an ABA team and encourage diversity. Today, with over 150 teams, over 75% of them are owned by African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, and women.
2. What challenges did you face early on in re-establishing the league, and how did you navigate them?
Joseph: Too many minor league basketball leagues had failed because of a lack of a viable business plan. We decided to focus on the business of basketball, assuming the owners could handle the game of basketball. The ABA provides its owners with the best business model in professional sports and thus has grown as it has.
3. How does the ABA continue to attract and nurture talent, and how do you support players transitioning to other professional opportunities?
Joseph: Players come to the ABA because of the exposure it provides for international and other leagues, and we encourage upward movement.
4. How do you envision the ABA evolving in the next 10 years, and what are your top priorities as CEO?
Joseph: 10 years is a long time. Obviously, our goal is to grow the number of teams we have domestically and internationally – and to make every team successful on the court and off the court. We also want to improve our exposure with more live television and streaming and use of social media. And we want to improve our merchandising.
5. Has there been a memorable occasion where a drink played a significant role—whether it was a toast to a big win or a reflective moment during a challenge?
Joseph: A nasty group of unscrupulous business people tried a hostile takeover of the ABA, were defeated in court. I think we toasted that.
6. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs or sports executives looking to make their mark?
Joseph: Get a good idea and pursue it, execution is everything. Success equals effort plus don’t give up. Don’t defend the indefensible. Always seek good advice and listen to it and don’t think you know everything. And treat people with dignity and respect.
