ABA Extends Deadline for Anaheim Team

The proposed ABA 2000 professional basketball league added two teams Monday, and the addition of an Anaheim team remains a possibility.

Joe Newman, co-founder of the league, said the Anaheim Roadrunners did not meet a Monday deadline the league had set to confirm a playing site at the Arrowhead Pond. But the deadline has been extended until today, he said.

“If our requirements are met, Anaheim will be admitted to the league,” Newman said.

Al Howell, president of the proposed Anaheim franchise, said Monday night he plans to be ready to sign a contract today.

Mike O’Donnell, the assistant general manager of the Pond, said officials of the Pond have been waiting for a deposit from the Roadrunners before a contract could be signed.

Newman said teams in Indianapolis and San Diego were added Monday after confirmation of their arena agreements.

Eight other franchises, in Los Angeles, Chicago, Kansas City, Detroit, Memphis, Tenn.; Tampa, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla., and Hampton Roads, Va., were announced during a news conference at the Great Western Forum earlier this month.

The league is scheduled to begin Dec. 26.