Category: American Basketball League 1996-1998

Theresa Edwards Atlanta Glory

Atlanta Glory

The Atlanta Glory was a short-lived women’s basketball team that competed in the American Basketball League for two seasons from 1996 to 1998.  The team split its home games between two downtown Atlanta college campuses, playing most dates at the brand new 5,700-seat arena at Morehouse College, built for the 1996 Olympic Games. The Glory’s top attraction was four-time U.S. Olympic medalist and former UGA Bulldog star Teresa Edwards.

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1996-97 Colorado Xplosion Media Guide from the American Basketball League

Colorado Xplosion

The Colorado Xplosion were the Denver franchise in the women’s American Basketball League (ABL), which lasted for two-and-a-half seasons from 1996 to 1998. The team split its home games each season between the Denver Coliseum and McNichols Arena. Key players included top scorer Crystal Robinson and versatile 5′ 3″ guard Debbie Black. Competition from the NBA-backed Women’s National Basketball Association and the overall challenging marketplace for women’s professional sports ventures combined the drive the ABL out of business midway through its third season in December 1998.

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1996-97 New England Blizzard program from the American Basketball League

New England Blizzard

The New England Blizzard were a popular women’s basketball entry in the short-lived American Basketball League, an early rival to the WNBA.  Despite finishing in last place in two of their three seasons, New England led the ABL in attendance every year, while splitting home games between Hartford and Springfield.

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Dawn Staley on the cover of the 1996-97 Richmond Rage Media Guide from the American Basketball League

Richmond Rage

The Richmond Rage were a women’s professional basketball team that lasted for just one season in the American Basketball League. The Rage had a terrific roster, including former University of Virginia star and Olympic gold medalist Dawn Staley, and Adrienne Goodson of Old Dominion. Center Taj McWilliams earned 2nd team All-League honors. One curiosity on the Rage roster was the presence of 34-year old U.S. Olympic track & field legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee. 

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Seattle Reign American Basketball League

Seattle Reign (1996-1998)

The Seattle Reign were a cleverly named women’s professional basketball team that competed for two-and-a-half seasons in the American Basketball League. The Reign had a modest but dedicated fan base that consistently filled the 4,500-seat Mercer Arena to three quarters of capacity, creating a better atmosphere than many ABL clubs that played in oversized buildings. Notable players included Kate Starbird and Shalonda Enis. The Reign went out of business along with the rest of the ABL midway through the league’s third season in December 1998.

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