Roy Boe, an ambitious, fun-loving entrepreneur, left an indelible mark in the world of professional sports in the greater New York metropolitan region. A Yale graduate, Boe owned both the Julius Erving-led New York Nets of the ABA and the fledgling New York Islanders of the NHL in the 1970s.
After purchasing the Nets from Arthur Brown in May 1969, Boe moved the team from Commack to West Hempstead -- closer to New York City -- and named St. John's coach Lou Carnesecca as his general manager and coach. The Nets obtained Erving for the 1973-74 season and "The Doctor" immediately led the then-Kevin Loughery-coached team to titles in 1974 and '76, the second in the final ABA season. Boe and the Nets joined the NBA for the 1976-77 season in a merger along with San Antonio, Denver, and Indiana, in a costly move that prompted Boe to sell Erving to the Philadelphia 76ers.
An influential figure in the world of professional hockey, Boe became the original owner of the expansion New York Islanders hockey team in 1972, with his team playing at the Nassau Coliseum. The team made great strides in its infancy with players such as Denis Potvin, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy and Billy Smith leading the way. "It was Roy Boe's vision that enabled Long Island to become home of an NHL franchise and create a rich hockey history here," Islanders owner Charles Wang said. Boe also owned AHL franchises in Bridgeport, Conn., and Worcester, Mass. He was honored with the Thomas Ebright Award in 2004 in recognition of his career contributions to the American Hockey League.
The following New York Nets ABA Championship ring originates from Boe’s estate and is accompanied by a LOA from the Boe family.
The 1974 New York Nets squad embodied what the ABA was all about. The league's premiere player Dr. J, center Billy Paultz and rookies Larry Kenon and John Williamson put on dazzling shows in arenas around the country. But more than showmanship, the team was a winner. After finishing 55-29 during the regular season, they breezed to capture their first ABA tile by steamrolling the Utah Stars in five games. This ring was received by the wife of Nets owner Roe Boe in honor of the Nets' 1974 championship. Crafted by Jostens in 10K gold, its design elements include the most enduring symbol of the ABA: the red-white-and-blue ball. A sizable oval shaped synthetic stone sits at the center of the enamel decorated ball with a circular perimeter that reads, "ABA WORLD CHAMPIONS - NY NETS." On one shank, the ring features ABA and Nets logos, along with the name "BOE." The opposing side displays the year "1974" and a shield motif with etched characters detailing the team's postseason triumphs. Inside the band is stamped "Jostens 10K,". The ring shows minimal wear, remaining like new.
Includes a LOA from the Boe family. Size: 5-1/2.