Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association
Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association is about the rise and fall of the American Basketball Association—a league that defined one of America's most turbulent eras and shaped the NBA as we know it today.
Soul Power is the definitive story—and first docuseries—of the American Basketball Association. The series chronicles the 1967 launch of the enterprising league and explores how a collection of franchises—the majority of which relocated or folded—challenged the NBA on and off the court for nine riveting seasons, and examines the lasting impact of the ABA on the sport of basketball, including the introduction of the 3-point shot; the All-Star Game slam dunk competition; the addition of former ABA franchises like the Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs to the NBA; empowering women to play a more substantial role in the business of sports; and the rise to fame of superstar players and pro hoops contributors like Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Spencer Haywood, George Gervin, Rick Barry, and George Karl. 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the ABA's merger with the NBA.
Soul Power showcases how a bold, short-lived league permanently reshaped professional basketball, player empowerment, and American sports culture. Told through the voices of legends, cultural leaders, and historians, the series argues that modern basketball looks the way it does because the ABA existed.