| Sport | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 |
| Ceased | 2005 |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Country |  United States |
The All-American Professional Basketball League was a minor basketball league formed in 2005 by Worth Christie. Announced on January 23, 2005 the league viewed itself as a direct minor league outlet for the National Basketball Association (NBA). The best players were to be promised salaries of up to $40,000. The league was composed of 10 teams and these ten teams were regionalized with 3-4 NBA teams where the designated AAPBL team could negotiate with players released from those NBA teams before other AAPBL teams could.
The AAPBL held a tryout camp at the MetraPark Arena in Billings, Montana from July 11 to July 23.[1] Players paid $1,000 to participate in the training camp.
The league held two "dispersal drafts". On July 20, 2005 the league's teams drafted from available CBA and NBDL players. On July 28, 2005 the teams drafted from the players who participated in the training camp.
On August 1, 2005, mere days after the tryouts and drafts and days after insiders knew its fate, Worth Christie announced the league had folded.[2] Contrary to earlier reports, few if any players who participated in the tryouts received their $1,000 back. Those working with the league and Christie were not paid for their expenses to work at the tryout camp nor were they compensated for any of the work done.[3]
On July 29, 2006, the Billings Gazette reported that Worth Christie was facing over $100,000 in lawsuits from former AAPBL employees and coaches.[4]
- ^ "AABL camp leaves Levingston raring to go". The Billings Gazette. August 1, 2005. p. 10.
- ^ "Hoops league's workers not paid". The Billings Gazette. August 3, 2005. p. 1.
- ^ "AAPBL dug a grave for Billings pro hoops". The Billings Gazette. January 1, 2006. p. 16.
- ^ "Former employees sue AAPBL". The Billings Gazette. July 29, 2006. p. 15.