Former ABA owner Ozzie Silna dies

Former ABA owner Ozzie Silna died at the age of 83 on Tuesday following a battle with cancer.

Silna and his brother Dan were co-owners of the Spirits of St. Louis, but dissolved the team during the ABA-NBA merger in the 1970s in exchange for a percentage of the NBA's future broadcast revenue.

Over time as television rights became more lucrative, it's believed the brothers made roughly $750 million from the deal, according to the New York Times.

"We were deeply saddened to learn that former ABA team owner Ozzie Silna has passed away," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "Ozzie and his brother Dan owned the St. Louis Spirits at a time when the ABA's future was uncertain, but he loved the game and was determined to be part of professional basketball. We send our heartfelt condolences to Dan and the entire Silna family."