The Basketball Association of America Collection pays tribute to the origins of modern professional basketball — a league that laid the foundation for the game as we know it today. Before the NBA, there was the BAA: a pioneering organization that brought structure, style, and star power to a growing sport and introduced fans to the excitement of big-city basketball in the postwar era.
Founded in 1946, the BAA brought the game into major arenas for the first time, setting the stage for the future of professional basketball. Though it lasted only three seasons before merging with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949 to form the NBA, its influence can still be felt in the teams, cities, and rivalries that began under its banner. The league introduced fans to some of the sport’s earliest professional clubs, including the Philadelphia Warriors, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Chicago Stags, St. Louis Bombers, Washington Capitols, and Baltimore Bullets. Other teams, like the Toronto Huskies, Pittsburgh Ironmen, Cleveland Rebels, Providence Steamrollers, and Detroit Falcons, became brief but fascinating chapters in basketball history — forgotten by many, but remembered here.
The BAA Collection celebrates these trailblazing teams and the early years of professional basketball through a lineup of vintage-inspired jerseys, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats. Each piece captures the feel of a league finding its identity — when uniforms were simple, logos were bold, and the game was still carving out its place in American culture. Crafted with modern fabrics for everyday comfort, these designs pay homage to the pioneering spirit of the players, coaches, and fans who helped turn basketball from a regional pastime into a national obsession.
Whether you remember the grainy photos of the first BAA Finals, the debut of the Celtics and Knicks, or the short-lived excitement of teams like the Chicago Stags and Toronto Huskies, this collection invites you to relive the sport’s formative years. The Basketball Association of America Collection from Royal Retros is more than just apparel — it’s a tribute to the league that started it all. Celebrate the teams that built the bridge between barnstorming basketball and the modern game, and wear a piece of history from the league that changed sports forever.