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.
As the sun was setting on the ABA, Dr. J and the New York Nets went out on a high note. In the leagues final year of existence they compiled a 55-29 record and captured their second ABA championship after handling the Denver Nuggets in six games. Dr. J, who averaged over 29 points for the season, was again the catalyst, winning his second league MVP award. Although a year later, Dr. J would move to the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA and start a new chapter in his storied career, many consider his three seasons with the New York Nets to be his best ever. Having led the Nets to two ABA titles and winning three MVP trophies along the way, Dr. J was a nearly unstoppable force during his tenure in New York.
Team owner Roy Boe, the man responsible for bringing Erving to the Nets, received this Jostens 10K gold ring in honor of the New Jersey Nets’ 1976 championship. Its design elements include a sizable diamond at the center surrounded by 12 smaller diamonds. The 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 proclamation “THE GOLD AGAIN” above a shield motif with etched characters detailing the team's postseason triumphs and the year “1976”. Inside the band is stamped "Jostens 10K”.
The ring shows evidence of moderate wear and includes a LOA from the Boe family. Size: 10.