Why did early professional basketball leagues struggle to survive?

Early professional basketball leagues struggled to survive primarily due to the unstable nature of player employment and the resulting financial fragility of the franchises.

In the early days of the sport, players frequently sold their services on a per-game basis, often performing for multiple cities or clubs within a single season. This lack of commitment led to inconsistent team rosters and games of unreliable quality, which undermined the stability of the leagues.12

Additionally, the Great Depression of the 1930s created significant economic hardship that further hindered the growth of professional basketball. It was not until the formation of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1946 that professional basketball began to establish a more sustainable model. Success was achieved by securing sufficient financial backing, emphasizing skill over brawling, and implementing player contracts with a reserve rule to prevent teams from raiding one another’s rosters.12