Baltimore's Greg Brown Named New American Basketball Association (ABA) President

New ABA President Greg Brown

By Thomas Leturgey

Hard work and determination has done Baltimore’s Greg Brown well. A decade ago, Brown came to the realization that his basketball playing career–which had flourished in high school and college–was coming to an end due to a torn ligament in his hand.

While visiting one day he turned to his grandmother, Velma Price, and told her about his dream of owning a professional basketball team. “You can do whatever you put your mind to,” Price told her grandson. He used some of those words of wisdom to pursue his goal.

The young man worked diligently as a door-to-door Verizon Fios representative and moved up the corporate ladder. During that time, Price passed away and left Brown a small inheritance. He used that money and his own savings to purchase an American Basketball Association (ABA) franchise in his hometown. At 24, Brown founded the Baltimore Hawks and became the youngest professional basketball team owner anywhere. “Not just the United States,” he said excitedly during a telephone interview. “In the world!”

The Hawks went 18-1 in the regular season (the only loss was to Pittsburgh’s Steel City Yellow Jackets) and lost to Providence in the Regional Championship Game. The Baltimore Hawks have remained one of the ABA’s most well-respected and successful teams. Over the past decade the team has been to four regional championship games, two divisional games and made it to the final 4 this past season before losing to league runner-up Team Trouble.

For the past year, Brown has also served as a Division Chairman and Vice President of Operational Upgrade, a post created to design rules for the bustling league, and “make sure it’s run the correct way.”

His experience came in handy when the ABA’s Elite 8 championship tournament was suddenly moved from Kansas City, Missouri to Baltimore only a few weeks before the April climax of the season. “I think it went tremendously well,” he said. 

The Steel City Yellow Jackets won their first National Championship by defeating California’s Team Trouble. “[Yellow Jackets Owner] Ace Pippens is like a brother to me,” Brown said. While Brown would have preferred the Hawks to win, he was happy for his good friend, Pippens.

Reviews from the teams and league itself were extremely positive for the Hawks and Baltimore. At the time, Brown hoped to once again host the finals, perhaps as soon as next season.

On June 22 it was announced by league Owner and CEO Joseph Newman that Brown had been promoted to ABA President. It’s a position that had been vacant for two years, following the departure of Mike Watson. “Joe likes the way I work,” Brown continued. When the Hawks started, the closest teams to Baltimore were the Richmond Elite and Jersey Express. “Now 39 teams surround me.” The ABA officially boasts 222 teams, less than 100 in operation. With a fresh start, Brown hopes to have around 70 good ABA teams.

“Greg is the perfect person to assume the leadership role,” stated CEO Newman in a statement. “He has been a successful owner for many years, the Division Chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Division and one of the driving forces behind Operation Upgrade.” He added, “I’m very excited to have him serving in this role.”

Brown played basketball for the legendary Herman “Tree” Harried at Lake Clifton Eastern High School in Baltimore, finished Prep School in Florida, and played in various leagues all in an attempt to progress as a professional. He played a handful of games for the ABA’s Port City Pirates in California, found out he was going to be a father and signed with an agent. That backfired as he was then ineligible to play for a college team. Then he injured his hand playing overseas and went back home to Baltimore. That was when his dreams of playing sputtered and ownership began. Now he will be making decisions for the entire league.

Brown will be responsible for the continued oversight of Operation Upgrade, developing media/sponsorship opportunities, working with various ABA divisions and Division Chairs, as well as the day-to-day operation of the league. He has ideas for sponsors and partnerships as well as television deals for ABA games. “We are looking at having one company provide all team uniforms,” he said. In addition, he simply wants players to have more chances to play overseas and make more money.

“The league is growing rapidly, and as a result, the opportunities being presented to the ABA are incredible,” said Brown. He points to bringing value, income and wealth to the league as goals. He hopes that the ABA can someday soon “get to NBA-level quality.”

“I am honored that Joe has chosen me to serve as President and I am looking forward to the challenge.”

At 34, Brown is most likely the youngest league President in any professional sport.

As a result of the promotion, Brown has agreed to sell the Baltimore Hawks to Clifton Gillis and Brandon Miles. “It is bittersweet,” Brown said of the end of his ownership era. He said it would raise suspicion if he still owned the team and the Hawks “mysteriously won the championship.”

Brown hopes to bring back the annual All-Star Game, and have the time and resources to better run the Elite 8 championship tournament. He will know more once the league meetings are held later this summer via Zoom. 

A family man with four children, Brown says he owes everything to his mother, Tammi Fleming. “She’s the brains behind everything,” he said. Fleming helped with the Hawks, even running the ticket table during the championship tournament. “Any time I wanted to give up, she wouldn’t let me,” Brown said. “A single mother, she did a tremendous job in raising me. I owe her everything.”

Brown takes the reigns of the ABA Presidency immediately.