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Gary Davidson Was Man Behind Upstart Leagues

Posted Apr 14, 08 12:50 AM CDT in Sports 

(Newser) – Gary Davidson may not be a household name to many sports fans. But the man who founded the World Football League and co-founded the ABA and WHA certainly has been influential in the nation’s professional sports landscape by challenging three of the big four sports leagues, writes the LA Times. The NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, are a remnant of his ABA.

There’s the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs and the three-point shot - both which came from the failed American Basketball Association. So why did this successful attorney decide to start creating major sports leagues? “I was 33 years old and it was a high," he says. Now 73, he recently declined an offer to start an international rival to the NHL.

Source Los Angeles Times

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Indiana Pacers' Mike Dunleavy, right, drives in front of New Jersey Nets guard Vince Carter in a recent game. Both teams joined the NBA after the American Basketball Association folded in the '70s.   (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Edmonton Oilers' Sam Gagner, left, celebrates the team's game-winning goal earlier this season. The Oilers were one of four World Hockey Association teams to join the NHL after the former folded.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) shoots over Golden State Warriors center Al Harrington (3) and forward Stephen Jackson, right, during the first quarter of their NBA basketball game in San...   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony lets out a yell after the Nuggets' 114-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors in an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2008, in Oakland, Calif.   (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
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