1974-75 Kentucky Colonels "ABA Champions" Banner From Freedom Hall....

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1974-75 Kentucky Colonels "ABA Champions" Banner From Freedom Hall. One of the original franchises of the American Basketball Association, the Kentucky Colonels were a fixture for all nine years of the maverick league's existence. In the club's first three seasons (1967-70), the team wore chartreuse and white uniforms while playing its home games at the Louisville Convention Center. From season's four to nine (1970-76), the franchise switched to a patriotic red/white/blue color scheme and played its home games at Freedom Hall. Fielding stars players such as Dan Issel, Artis Gilmore, Louie Dampier, Maurice Lucas, Darrel Carrier, Wendell Ladner, Rick Mount, Red Robbins, John Roche, and Kevin Joyce, the Colonels amassed the most wins in ABA history.

Going into the 1974-75 season, the team had made the ABA Finals twice, in 1971 and 1973, only to lose to the Utah Stars and Indiana Pacers, respectively. However, 1974-75 would be different. With a starting five of Louie Dampier, Ted "Hound Dog" McClain, Will Jones, Dan Issel, and Artis Gilmore, Kentucky would roar to a 58-26 first place finish in the Eastern Division.

Their domination would continue in the post-season with the dispatching of ABA Co-MVP Julius Erving and the defending ABA Champion New York Nets, two-time ABA MVP Mel Daniels and the Memphis Sounds, and ABA Rookie of the Year Marvin Barnes and the Spirits of St. Louis, in the first three rounds. The team saved its best for last, easily overcoming ABA Co-MVP George McGinnis and the Indiana Pacers, four games to one in the ABA Finals.

On offer here is the Kentucky Colonels' sole championship banner which hung in Freedom Hall during the ABA's 1975-76 swan song. When the club disbanded after the season, the banner was given to a Colonels ball boy who then presented it to Colonels assistant coach Stan Albeck. Our consignor purchased it from the 1997 "ABA Reunion Auction" in Indiana (catalog included in this lot).

Constructed of white nylon and measuring a massive 17 feet x 10 feet, the one-sided banner, with "Oates Flag & Novelty Co., Louisville, KY", tagging is bordered by sewn on purple and red satin stripes with "1974-75 ABA Champions" sewn at the center in vibrant blue and red tackle twill. Some minor wear is visible at the bottom corners where it was held in place. The banner would make an unbelievable display piece for a person possessing the necessary space requirements.