The 2024-2025 NBA season officially begins on Tuesday, October 22nd when the Boston Celtics go up against the New York Knicks. I usually find this time incredibly exciting as my favorite team returns to the court, dressed in sleek new jerseys and outfitted with a renewed sense of competition. However, I have a new perspective on how the NBA operates since watching director Michael Husain‘s expose of the organization and their treatment of a rival league dating back to the ’70s. Spoiler alert- it is not pretty, or very ethical. The Waiting Game offers insight into the drama behind one of the most popular sports in the world.

The ABA Made Basketball What It Is Today

Through stunning archival footage, The Waiting Game begins by sharing the origin story of the American Basketball Association, commonly referred to as the ABA. The ABA was founded in 1967 as a more entertaining counterpart to the NBA. The NBA had become stale and corporate, lightyears away from the game we know and love today. Fans were bored and quickly losing interest in the overly regimented NBA. Seeing an opportunity to reinvigorate fans, the ABA decided to put more emphasis on the entertainment aspect of the game. This strategy resulted in changing the trajectory of the league forever.

The ABA’s creative new additions included the three-point shot, slam dunk contest, and a half-time show. In short, the ABA essentially recreated the modern game of basketball as we know it. The plan worked, and spectators started filling the seats again. The ABA lasted nine years before merging with the NBA, with four of the original ABA teams existing today, the Pacers, Spurs, Nets, and Nuggets.

Capitalism Off the Court

The ABA became a shining example of an underdog success story. However, the good times didn’t last long. After the 1976 ABA/NBA “merger” came a complex legal battle that ABA players are still fighting against today. The issue comes from a lack of resources and benefits that the original ABA players were guaranteed but was never delivered. Like many jobs, players in the NBA receive benefits such as retirement and healthcare. However, when the merger took place and ABA players entered into the NBA, those benefits didn’t transfer. Perhaps most grotesque of all, those ABA players who–arguably–turned basketball into a multi-billion dollar industry, never saw any monetary reward. Like textbook capitalism, these players gained almost nothing from the growth and prosperity of the product they essentially created.

This is where the film’s beacon of light, the small non-profit Dropping Dimes Foundation, comes into play. The foundation saw the injustice and took it upon themselves to fight the NBA for fair treatment of ABA players. The film documents the countless hours of speaking with former players to get a sense of their disappointment with the league. Their hard work paid off in 2022 when the NBA Board of Governors reached a historic agreement. They agreed to pay $24.5 million to former ABA players. Unfortunately, however, many players are still waiting for their due.

A Blend of Historical and Investigative Journalism

Making its World Premiere at the 2024 Heartland Film Festival, The Waiting Game is a powerful documentary that re-exposes the murky backstory of one of the most popular sports organizations in the world. It is an engaging look at basketball’s metamorphosis over the years. The film also caters to fans who enjoy investigative journalism documentaries, especially in the vein of David vs Goliath. Interviews with renowned figures like sports commentator Bob Costas, basketball icon Julius “Dr. J” Erving, and six-time All-Star ABA player James Jones, add urgency and credibility to this mostly unknown story.

Takeaway

The Waiting Game reflects the ongoing fight for recognition, dignity, and justice for former ABA players. “How could the guys who played such a crucial role in developing the billion-dollar modern game of basketball, be in a place where they couldn’t buy medicine or pay rent?”, is the pointed question asked by director Michael Husain. Whether or not you’re a fan or a critic of the NBA, The Waiting Game is a must-see.