American Basketball League 1996-98

The American Basketball League of 1996 was an attempt to establish an independent professional basketball league for women in the United States. At the same time the ABL was being form, the National Basketball Association was creating the Women's National Basketball Association. The ABL got off the ground first, but was unable to compete against the WNBA which was backed by the NBA. The ABL lasted two full seasons. 1996-97 and 1997-98. It folded prior to being its third season in 1998.

ABL Teams 1996-98

• Atlanta Glory
• Colorado Xplosion
• Columbus Quest
• Long Beach StingRays (expansion team in 1997-98)
• New England Blizzard
• Portland Power
• Richmond Rage 1996-97/ Philadelphia Rage 1997-98
• San Jose Lasers
• Seattle Reign

ABL Championship Best of Five Games Series

• 1996-97 Columbus 3-2 Richmond
• 1997-98 Columbus 3-2 Long Beach

The ABL had planned for the 1998-99 season. That season would have seen expansion teams Chicago Condors and Nashville Noise and the elimination of the Atlanta Glory to form a ten team league.