The merger of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL) resulted in the formation of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a major turning point for professional basketball. The BAA had been in operation since 1946 and focused on larger cities while promoting an entertaining style of play that emphasized scoring. Meanwhile, the NBL, established in 1937, was popular in smaller cities and placed a greater emphasis on teamwork and defense.

Negotiations for the merger began as both leagues faced financial instability and increasing competition for fans and players. The leaders recognized that a unified league could attract more significant attention and resources, thereby stabilizing the sport as a whole. On August 3, 1949, the merger was officially completed, and the NBA was born, combining the strengths and fanbases of both leagues.

The newly formed NBA initially featured 17 teams, with a diverse mix from both previous leagues. In a significant move, the NBA decided that the championship title would be the BAA's, marking a symbolic nod to the BAA's marketing success, as the league had garnered a more prominent presence in major metropolitan areas like New York and Philadelphia. This merger paved the way for the NBA to grow and better compete with other professional sports leagues in America, leading to the eventual explosion of basketball's popularity in the following decades.