The Miami Floridians history reflects the rise of a unique ABA Miami Floridians team that brought professional Miami Floridians basketball to South Florida during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Known for their colorful style and community presence, the team represented Florida’s growing love for basketball before eventually folding, leaving behind a memorable ABA legacy.
Established
1967
City
Minneapolis – Miami
League History
1967 – 1972 / American Basketball Association
Team History
1970 – 1972 / The Floridians
1968 – 1970 / Miami Floridians
1967 – 1968 / Minnesota Muskies
Nickname
Floridians – The Miami Floridians are one of the most iconic teams in professional sports, and their nickname has a long and exciting history. The team was initially established as an expansion franchise in 1988 by businessman Wayne Huizenga, who wanted to bring major league baseball to South Florida. He chose “Floridians” for his new team because it reflected the state’s vibrant culture and location near the tropical Caribbean Sea.
Miami Floridians Origin
Their nickname is rooted in a much earlier era: during Spanish colonial times when Florida was known as La Florida (the Flowery Land). This name came from explorer Ponce de Leon's description of what he saw when he arrived on April 2nd, 1513 - lush vegetation with beautiful flowers everywhere! From that time onward, many people have referred to this region as ‘La Florida’ or simply 'Florida.'
Huizenga decided to use this historical reference for his new baseball team's identity, thus giving birth to "Miami Floridians" – a combination that perfectly encapsulated Miami's modern-day vibrancy and rich past. Since then, fans have embraced these two words together like no other moniker could ever do justice! It captures everything about what makes South Florida so unique - from its sun-soaked beaches all year round until now, where we get our professional basketball team soon enough!
Championship
ABA Championships 0
Arena
*Miami*
1968 – 1972 / Miami Beach Convention Center
*Tampa-St. Petersburg*
1970 – 1972/ Bayfront Arena
*Jacksonville*
1970 – 1972 / Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum
*Minnesota*
1967 – 1968 / Met Center
Owner
1970 – 1972 / Ned Doyle
1967 – 1969 / L.P. Shields & Fred Jefferson
- 1968
-
Move to Florida
The Miami Floridians, later in their history known simply as The Floridians, were a professional basketball franchise in the original, now-defunct American Basketball Association. The Miami Floridians played in the ABA from 1968 through 1970 when they became simply The Floridians. The team had two color schemes: their original red, blue, and white, and their later black, magenta, and orange.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Miami Floridians History
The Miami Floridians history begins with the franchise’s roots as the Minnesota Muskies, one of the original ABA Miami Floridians basketball teams established in 1967. The move to Florida came when entrepreneur Ted Arison purchased the franchise, aiming to revive professional basketball in South Florida after the earlier Miami Rebels had folded. His vision brought excitement and color to the growing basketball scene in the region.
When the Miami Floridians basketball team first took the court, they carried the spirit of the ABA — fast-paced action and crowd appeal. Under the leadership of coach Larry Brown and with Hall of Famer Rick Barry leading the offense, the team made an immediate mark. They recorded a 43–41 record in their inaugural season, narrowly missing a playoff berth after losing a tiebreaker to the Kentucky Colonels for fourth place in the Eastern Division.
The following years saw the ABA Miami Floridians continue to build momentum. The team reached the playoffs twice and even claimed a division title, thanks to stars like Rick Barry and Billy Cunningham. Despite their strong on-court performances, attendance struggled, and financial challenges began to weigh heavily on the franchise. The team experimented with playing “regional home games” across the state in cities like Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami to build fan support, but the efforts weren’t enough to sustain operations.
Team Achievements
By 1972, the Miami Floridians basketball team folded due to financial difficulties, marking the end of their short-lived journey in the ABA. However, their time in the league left an unforgettable impact, introducing many Floridians to professional basketball and paving the way for future NBA franchises in the state.
ABA Eastern Division Title (1970)
One of the most notable moments in Miami Floridians history came during the 1970 season when the team captured the ABA Eastern Division title. Led by star performances from Barry and Cunningham, the ABA Miami Floridians displayed both skill and teamwork, proving their ability to compete with the league’s best. This remains one of the proudest achievements in the Miami Floridians basketball legacy.
The franchise’s story may have been brief, but the Miami Floridians history continues to inspire basketball fans who remember the colorful, high-energy style that defined the ABA era. Their contribution to the sport’s growth in the South remains an essential chapter in American basketball history.
Sports Fan Products
Coaches
1969 – 1972 / Jim Pollard/Harold Blitman
1967 – 1969 / Jim Pollard
*Blue is this team’s history