Logo of the American Basketball Association’s Kentucky Colonels, who played in the ABA for all 9 years of the league’s existence, from 1967 until 1976. They won more games than any other ABA team and had the league’s highest winning percentage. Despite their success, the Colonels were not absorbed into the NBA when the leagues merged, and the team ceased operations. The Colonels made some high profile player moves that led to their success, signing college stars Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore to long term contracts. They also had a competent coach in Hubie Brown. Other notable former Colonels’ players include Louie Dampier, Ted McClain, Maurice Lucas, Johnny Neumann and Bird Averitt. When the leagues merged, Colonels owner John Y. Brown agreed to fold his franchise in exchange for $3 million, which he used to buy the NBA Buffalo Braves.