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American Basketball League MVP Nikki McCray signs with the WNBA

The American Basketball League, often abbreviated to the ABL of 1996 was a professional women's basketball league in the United States.

The American Basketball League, often abbreviated to the ABL of 1996 was a professional women's basketball league in the United States. At the same time the ABL was being formed, the National Basketball Association (NBA) was creating the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The ABL began league competition in the Fall of 1996, while the WNBA launched its first game in June 1997. Both organizations came into existence during a surge in popularity for women's basketball in the United States that followed the perfect 35–0 national championship season for the Connecticut Huskies in 1995 and the undefeated, gold medal-winning performance of the United States Women's basketball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

The ABL lasted two full seasons: 1996–97 and 1997–98.

Historical Significance

The American Basketball League, often abbreviated to the ABL of 1996 was a professional women's basketball league in the United States.

Events Before

  1. After 27 years, Betty Rubble debuts as a Flintstone chewable vitamin character

    After 27 years, Betty Rubble debuts as a Flintstone chewable vitamin character

  2. Princess of Rock Lisa Marie Presley files for divorce from King of Pop Michael Jackson in NYC

    Princess of Rock Lisa Marie Presley files for divorce from King of Pop Michael Jackson in NYC

  3. "ER" TV actress Yvette Freeman (39) weds musical director Lawny Hartley (49) in Dunleith, Delaware

    "ER" TV actress Yvette Freeman (39) weds musical director Lawny Hartley (49) in Dunleith, Delaware

  4. The 6,138th performance of "Cats" is held in London, surpassing the record of Broadway's longest-running musical, "A Cho

    The 6,138th performance of "Cats" is held in London, surpassing the record of Broadway's longest-running musical, "A Chorus Line"

  5. Death Row/Interscope Records releases rapper Tupac Shakur's fourth studio album "All Eyez on Me," his final release duri

    Death Row/Interscope Records releases rapper Tupac Shakur's fourth studio album "All Eyez on Me," his final release during his lifetime

Events After

  1. Helen Wills Moody dies

    Helen Wills Moody, American tennis player, known for american tennis player, died on 1998-01-01.

  2. A paper published by Bryony Coles highlights the submerged land between Britain and Europe in the modern North Sea as a

    A paper published by Bryony Coles highlights the submerged land between Britain and Europe in the modern North Sea as a once crucial inhabited landmass and names it Doggerland [1]

  3. President Bill Clinton says "I want to say one thing to the American people; I did not have sexual relations with that w

    President Bill Clinton says "I want to say one thing to the American people; I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky"

  4. Osama bin Laden publishes a fatwa declaring jihad against all Jews and Crusaders

    Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden (10 March 1957 – 2 May 2011) was the founder and first general emir of the al-Qaeda militant organization.

  5. "Baywatch" actress Pamela Anderson (31) divorces Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee (35) after 3 years of marriage

    Pamela Denise Anderson is a Canadian-American actress, model and media personality.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on September 16, 1997?
The American Basketball League, often abbreviated to the ABL of 1996 was a professional women's basketball league in the United States. At the same time the ABL was being formed, the National Basketball Association (NBA) was creating the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The ABL began league competition in the Fall of 1996, while the WNBA launched its first game in June 1997.
Why is American Basketball League MVP Nikki McCray signs with the WNBA significant?
The American Basketball League, often abbreviated to the ABL of 1996 was a professional women's basketball league in the United States.

Explore More

September 16 in HistoryYear 1997