FOR THE ABA-BASHERS; THERE IS A REAL PRO HOOPS TEAM IN NASHV

[Houston Caldwell]

Tonight, the Nashville Rhythm made a highly successful debut at Allen Arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. The debut was a success both on and off the court; the Rhythm defeated the Reigning Knights of Georgia 109-88 in front of approximately 2500 of the loudest fans in basketball history. Fueled by a Thunderstix giveaway, the home crowd had a noise level usually associated with crowds of over 10,000, clearly rattling the visiting team (especially when they were at the free throw line), and Dontae Jones scored 41 points to help Ashley MacElhiney, the first-ever female coach of a male pro basketball team, gain a victory in her coaching debut.
There may be many weak franchises in the ABA, but there is clearly at least one strong franchise; they are called the Rhythm, and they represent Nashville,Tennessee.

[CRUSADERSFAN]

Some questions
1-What kind of media interest was present?

2-What kind of team did Georgia have?

3-How did Sam Cox(The greatest player in Gwizzlies history :lol: ) do?

[SK10171996]

Hmmmm.... a real pro hoops team in Tennessee, coached by a woman....... I thought Pat Summit's Tennessee Volunteers were an NCAA team..? :shock:

[patmc16]

There may be many weak franchises in the ABA, but there is clearly at least one strong franchise; they are called the Rhythm, and they represent Nashville,Tennessee.

That very well may be. What I am wondering is how are the crowds going to be after a few scheduled games that never happen because the other team doesn't show up to play? Inter-squad scrimages won't keep 2.5k coming through the doors. These were 2 of the few teams that seem to have their acts together. What about the rest?

It's too bad but, the teams that actually have organized theirselves and are ready to put a respectable product on the floor will suffer at the hands of those who have done nothing (i.e. "my" Jammers) or next to nothing (too many to name).

By Christmas, it will be all to clear which teams are for real and which are not. At that point, those that are for real should break away from the ABA, loose the dead weight, and form a real league (assuming there are enough teams to do so). A January start to a new league would not be too late to have a (short) season.

[patmc16]

.... in front of approximately 2500 of the loudest fans in basketball history. Fueled by a Thunderstix giveaway, the home crowd had a noise level usually associated with crowds of over 10,000...

I'm a little confused here. According to the Nashville website, there were only 500 thunderstix (which I assume your company produced for them, making you not exactly impartial on this subject) were given away tonight. Now even the "loudest fans in basketball history" couldn't possibly be "fueled by a thunderstix giveaway" when only 1 in every 5 people in attendance actually had a pair. 500 thunderstix couldn't simulate a crowd of over 10k.

Just an observation....... I could be wrong.

[LeaguePrez]

I'm glad the ABA got off to a good start.

I hope that those of you who plan on going to games contribute to my website which is up but still under construction.

Please let me know the scores of games that you attend. Email me at [mclaire@austin.rr.com]. View scores and original articles at [http://www.freewebs.com/abaquotes/].

Selected articles have and will continue to be posted on this site as long as OSC allows them.

[/url]

[hoopsjr]

www.tennessean.com/sports/localsports

the sunday issue of the tennessean has the estimated crowd of last nights nashville opener at 800, not 2500...

[Houston Caldwell]

To answer several posts;
1- Sam Cox had one spectacular slam dunk, but was otherwise a non-factor; he finished with 7 points.
2- Don't know where Tennessean got crowd estimate, but about half of the seats were filled in an arena that seats about 5000. This is the basis of MY crowd size estimate, and I was there.
3- Thunderstix giveaways can greatly influence crowd noise even when only 20% of the crowd have them, because their presence causes fans not using them to YELL LOUDER. Thunderstix giveaways focus fans on the fact that the noise they make can influence the outcome of a game; therefore, their presence makes both users and non-users LOUDER.
4- I have attended many Vanderbilt University basketball games; Vanderbilt usually fills a 15,000 seat gym for SEC games, and their crowd has a reputation for being noisy; the Rhythm crowd last night had a noise level equal to Vanderbilt crowds.
5- And yes, I'm not an impartial observer, but I'd place a wager on the fact that the Reigning Knights of Georgia are looking for my phone number today. A minor league pro basketball team owned and operated by people in their 20's and lacking Bud Adams-type bucks for backing produced a very intimidating home crowd on their first night in existence. That is a fact. Ashley MacElhiney was a resounding success in her coaching debut. That is also a fact. Donte Jones, based on Game 1, could very well be a player the rest of the ABA doesn't have an answer for. This is also a fact.
There has been a lack of screening of many ownership groups in the ABA who turned out to be unqualified, and that fact has given this league some black eyes. However, there ARE some ownership groups who are capable of being successful; after last night, we can definitively say the Nashville group is one of them.

[TEN]

I'll tend to believe the newspaper report of 800 fans...they shouldn't have an agenda.

That said...a crowd of 800 for opening night, with a giveaway, is not too good.

Figure 500 paid (probably high) and realize that at 8 bucks a head (probably high) you have 4000 dollars in the till at the end of the night. Pay for your giveaway, arena rent, security, all other gameday costs...and realize that payday is on Friday....and you will understand why I think that we should wait a couple of paydays to see if this is a successful franchise.

Watch how many of the better ABA players leave their teams over the next month with no reason given....there are always guys who will play for free...that is why there will always be players on these teams.

Houston...I hope you got paid up front.

[TEN]

I'll tend to believe the newspaper report of 800 fans...they shouldn't have an agenda.

That said...a crowd of 800 for opening night, with a giveaway, is not too good.

Figure 500 paid (probably high) and realize that at 8 bucks a head (probably high) you have 4000 dollars in the till at the end of the night. Pay for your giveaway, arena rent, security, all other gameday costs...and realize that payday is on Friday....and you will understand why I think that we should wait a couple of paydays to see if this is a successful franchise.

Watch how many of the better ABA players leave their teams over the next month with no reason given....there are always guys who will play for free...that is why there will always be players on these teams.

Houston...I hope you got paid up front.

[Houston Caldwell]

Thank you for your concern,Ten. I DID get paid up front.

[Houston Caldwell]

Thank you for your concern,Ten. I DID get paid up front.

[Houston Caldwell]

Also, Gianni Pasucci's article on the game for US Basket gave the crowd size as 2100 fans; I WAS AT THE GAME, and this is a much more accurate figure than the Tennessean account.

[SK10171996]

:lol: Is being at an ABA game actually something to keep repeating on here? :lol:

I guess you could say you're paying to watch a train wreck in progress. I did the same thing in 2001 for the XFL when I went to 4 out of 5 Las Vegas Outlaws games, but I never went on the internet and defended it.

[BBall Fan]

I'll go with the 800 fans as reported...

Another interesting note... The article goes on to say

"The Rhythm return to action next weekend at Lipscomb, when they play host to the Gwinnett Grizzlies in games Saturday and Sunday"

Someone in Nashville should update the media about this league. First of all, they are the Gwizzlies, and second of all, the Gwizzlies are no more. Time for an updated schedule.

But then again, this is the ABA, teams will come and go and be changed/inserted into the schedule very frequently!!

[BBall Fan]

I'll go with the 800 fans as reported...

Another interesting note... The article goes on to say

"The Rhythm return to action next weekend at Lipscomb, when they play host to the Gwinnett Grizzlies in games Saturday and Sunday"

Someone in Nashville should update the media about this league. First of all, they are the Gwizzlies, and second of all, the Gwizzlies are no more. Time for an updated schedule.

But then again, this is the ABA, teams will come and go and be changed/inserted into the schedule very frequently!!

[Houston Caldwell]

Have now gained access to the official turnstile count; 2044 fans atended the game. This closely approximates the count in the USBasket article and what I saw in the stands.

[CRUSADERSFAN]

To answer several posts;
1- Sam Cox had one spectacular slam dunk, but was otherwise a non-factor; he finished with 7 points.

That's decent, but nowhere near his hype. Perhaps he's a raw talent. If nothing else, with guys like Cox and the AND1 guys, an ABA slam dunk contest would be interesting! :D

[meyes]

Rhythm GM Daniel Bucher says the actual ticket count for the home opener was 2,044. I have no reason not to believe him.

[meyes]

Rhythm GM Daniel Bucher says the actual ticket count for the home opener was 2,044. I have no reason not to believe him.

[SK10171996]

:P Rumor has it that Houston Caldwell attended this game.... :P :)

[Sam Hill]

Hey, Houston - did you go to the game?

What did the crowd look like to you? Got an estimate for us?

Hey, Houston - did you go to the game?

What did the crowd look like to you? Got an estimate for us?

Hey, Houston - did you go to the game?

What did the crowd look like to you? Got an estimate for us?

I want you to estimate my tax refund next April. I'll be going on a vacation.

Remember, the Phoenix Eclipse got 5,126 for their first game ever. You got half that with the publicity boost from Hot For Coacher. Well done. The Eclipse are gone, and so will you be, too, before long.

meyes, what do you think of Portland's troubles? Ontario's troubles? Gwinnett (one of the better franchises in your estimation) changing their name right before the season starts? Pittsburgh was going to be great too, right?

I can't believe some of y'all still think this is going to happen.

Next thing you know, Mark McClure, Friend to Bellmen Everywhere, will be buying an ABA team.

"I have no reason not to believe him," says meyes.

meyes believes everything people in this league tell him.

The Kool-Aid line forms to the left, meyes.

[Houston Caldwell]

HEY, SAM HILL, YOU'RE NOT GETTING A TAX REFUND.
HEY,SAM HILL, YOU'RE NOT GETTING A TAX REFUND.
HEY,SAM HILL, YOUR NOT GETTING A TAX REFUND.
NOT WITH ME ADDING UP THE FIGURES ANYWAY.
You don't buy tickets or sponsorships in Nashville, and have no qualifications to discuss Nashville franchises. So your opinion is irrelevant.
You take great delight in every piece of bad news about the ABA expansion(and, granted, there is plenty). When there IS some good news , YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Houston,
Post photos or direct people to where opening night photos of the Nashville crowd can be found. That should solve the 800 vs. 2044 fans debate.

Actually, I am disappointed with whichever opening night figure is correct because of all the national hype the coach received. I was expecting a near capacity opening night crowd due to the curiosity factor alone. I am also expecting a drastic drop-off in attendance due to the unavailability of beer vendors in their arena (among other things--like the uncertain economy).

[Houston Caldwell]

Ken,
That's an excellent idea, so if I can find pics (this won't be easy), I will be glad to show them. I never in my wildest dreams anticipated a sellout, and my pre-game guess on what the crowd for the opener would be was around 1000, so the 2000-2100 the opener drew was a pleasant surprise.
The fans received a good game experience, so if this franchise can keep it up, maybe by season 2 we'll be seeing some sellouts at Allen. Right now, the Rhythm are a 4th or 5th page story in a sports section dominated by the Titans, UT, and Vanderbilt. The Rhythm don't have Bud Adams-type bucks to promote the team, but we DO have a hard-working and savvy group of young people in charge. So I view Game 1 as an expectation-exceeding success. I think this team CAN reach the point where it could be the equivalent of a good CBA franchise; not many of the ABA expansion groups can say that.

[Sam Hill]

HEY, SAM HILL, YOU'RE NOT GETTING A TAX REFUND.
HEY,SAM HILL, YOU'RE NOT GETTING A TAX REFUND.
HEY,SAM HILL, YOUR NOT GETTING A TAX REFUND.
NOT WITH ME ADDING UP THE FIGURES ANYWAY.
You don't buy tickets or sponsorships in Nashville, and have no qualifications to discuss Nashville franchises. So your opinion is irrelevant.
You take great delight in every piece of bad news about the ABA expansion(and, granted, there is plenty). When there IS some good news , YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH.

My opinion is irrelevant? That's funny. This is an opinion board. Mine is as valid as yours, considering I believe I have much more experience in minor league sports marketing than you do.

Can't handle the truth? Well, there seems to be some bit of confusion about what the truth actually is, doesn't there? Two people with obvious agendas say one thing, and a newspaper without one says another. I have no idea which one is "the truth" (which is an absolute - there can only be one "truth"), but "the truth" will be shown if Nashville continues to announce crowds of 2,000+ or if they sink back to the usual 500 or so of most ABA games.

I can discuss any damn franchise I please, thank you very much. This league is a joke, and if Nashville is a beacon of light in it, then great. I like to see people do things the right way and succeed at them. But it's too early to tell if this was an opening-night curiosity bump, papering the house, or what. And you'll excuse me if I don't exactly think that you or meyes are impartial observers.

But let's wait and find out, okay? One of 609 or so games is in the books.

[Houston Caldwell]

The Nashville City Paper article on Saturday's game is now on the site for you to read, with an accurate account of the crowd size.

[TEN]

Definition of "announced crowd."

"We got the stat sheet and it had this attendance number on it that is inflated, but we'll give them the benefit of the doubt this time, so we'll put it in the story while making sure that readers know that we are not responsible for the number."

I saw some video on ESPN (which is a positive) and saw a lot of empty seats near the court and noticed that on at least one end zone area the bleachers were not pulled out. I assume that the 5000 capacity would include those endzone seats. Hard to believe from what I saw that half the seats were filled.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I've seen the Nashville photos. The opening night crowd looks like 2044 to me.

[preeths]

Check out our picture of the week. If the place holds around 5,000, I'd say the 2,044 is more accurate.

[Sam Hill]

That's fine, Houston. I'll accept your photographic evidence, apologize if you felt I was attacking you, scratch my head about the paper that said 800 and congratulate Nashville on being able to pull off a decent (for most places, excellent for the ABA) crowd on opening night. They'll have to keep it up, though, because unless it was more than just curiosity, they're going to have to work doubly hard the rest of the way.

It looks like Arkansas at least has captured the imagination of the market for starters with all of the former Razorbacks. I don't think they can sustain 5,000 a night, but if they can, shoot, they'll be the premier franchise in the league, blow it apart, and they should apply to be in the CBA.

TEN's absolutely right, though, in that the phrase "an announced crowd of" is sportswriterspeak for "I don't believe there's any way there were that many people there." It allows them to give a wink-wink nudge-nudge to those who know what it means while not completely coming out and calling the team in question liars.

[Houston Caldwell]

This season is not going to be a bed of roses for the Nashville Rhythm, who, like any other start-up unaffiliated minor league sports organization, will have to build their fan and sponsor bases a little at a time. There are many obstacles to overcome; the unstable nature of many of the other ABA franchises and the presence of much bigger "name" sports programs in their market (NFL, SEC, NHL if they were playing,Arena Football, and a AAA minor league baseball team that has been in place for 25 years).
However, the will to do the necessary effort to carve out a niche is clearly present in the Nashville organization; hopefully, the opener was the first sign of good things to come. But noone thinks this is going to be easy.

[Sam Hill]

And meanwhile, they drew 509 on Sunday.

[Houston Caldwell]

Yes; here are attendance figures for each game, 2044 for 11/13 opener, 1073 for Sat, 11/20, 509 for Sun 11/21 ( Sunday games will not draw well as long as they are at the same times as Titan telecasts). Next home game will be on Friday, 12/3 against Arkansas Rimrockers; predict considerably better crowd then.

[meyes]

Those who were at the game did see a terrific game. Significantly, there were at least four newspaper photographers and one TV photographer at the game. That means editors were planning to give the game more space than just a box score, even though the Titans were playing and the final NASCAR race of the season were likely to get a lot of space in the Monday papers. Nashville management has done a great job of professionally marketing the team and it is paying off.

[Sam Hill]

Then they'll be a nice addition to the CBA once the ABA's house of cards finally falls.

Looks like Arkansas is solid, from early returns. Long Beach appears to have a clue.

What's the CBA up to now? 8 teams? Mostly in the midwest?

There's a market for a AAA basketball league, but until everybody gets together and decides that it's best to have it all under one roof, and the NBA swallows its pride and they combine the CBA, the NBDL and the few ABA franchises that can sell a ticket, it'll continue to be a mess.

[Houston Caldwell]

Let's face it, Sam, noone said this was going to be easy. So far, attendance average is 1209 a game; I'd take that for a season average, and, hopefully, in season 2, this franchise will be in a more stable surrounding environment.
This is a franchise of VERY YOUNG people daring great things. The nice thing is that there is constant effort going on here that I don't see with many of the ABA franchises. I think the Rhythm could develop into a decent representative, on and off-court, in any of the basketball minor leagues. They are developing alliances in the Nashville market that will keep them getting stronger over time.

[Sam Hill]

Hey, good luck to them. If they can average 1200 a game for the whole season, they'll be one of the top 5 or 6 teams in the league, I figure.

But that doesn't mean they're going to be able to pay the bills on that number.

It's way too early to tell for sure, but unless some teams start hitting 2,000 a game consistently (especially with the "affordable family prices"), it's going to be a matter of how much their owners can stand to lose. Only one CBA team didn't average at least 2,200 a game last year. I don't think any ABA team hit that last year. Maybe Long Beach.

What's with all the games that haven't been played with no explanation as to why? Does that sound like the same old-same old from the ABA to you? It does to me.

[TEN]

In my experience in the USBL it takes about 1500 paid to break even with a USBL franchise (which probably runs on a lower budget than the ABA with a shorter season, less travel and lower player salaries)

That doesn't include needing about 100K in corporate sponsorship on top of the 1500 fans.

Paydays could be an adventure pretty soon across this league (as it has been in the past).

[BBall Fan]

Paydays WILL be adventurous as always. Particularly since this new group of owners (in general) have no cash to begin with. After all, if you can get a franchise for what, $10,000, you are accepted into this league with virtually no credit checks.


We've seen as many games postponed and/or moved so far this season as played. While there may be a few teams that will make it through 2004/2005, my guess is that the ABA will have under 30 by the end of the week and under 20 by Christmas. Then, with substantially increased travel costs from more spread-out teams (and last minute flights, bad travel schedules, etc.), we'll see more teams fall off into the new year, prompting an early tournament.

Just my $.02

[mzracing76]

I am a big supporter of Minor League Basketball. I am from Sioux Falls, SD where we have the CBA's Premier Franchise, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. If you want to build a great Minor League team, the CBA's Skyforce is the team to compare notes with. WE have consistantly for the past 11 years averaged 5000+ Fans to a game in a stadium that holds 6300 fans. We sell out maybe 5-10 games a year (28 Home Games). The Skyforce have made atleast $1.5 Million a year since 1994 when local ownership bought the franchise. We have been to the CBA Finals 3 times (1996, 1998, 1999) and winning it all in '96 over the Fort Wayne Fury.

Now, the CBA has made alot of bad decisions over the years going to the wrong markets such as Chicago. What makes a great place to build a minor league basketball team, is the market that maybe has 150,000 to 600,000 people. where there is not much to do in the winter time.

Sioux Falls yearly sells atleast 2500-3000 season tickets a year, and brings in over 500,000 dollars in corperate dollars a yaer plus you also have concessions, souveniors, ticket sales (walk up).

get back to the original post about the Nashville team. even if it did have 800 fans. figure the average ticket is about $12.50.

800 Seat x $12.50 would be $10,000....the team takes atleast 50% of ticket sales.

each ticket is worth atleast $15.00 at the concessions, $12,000. in which the team probally makes 40% of the revenue.

each seat probally purchases a Souvior ($10.00), $8000,


Ticket Sales=Team ($5000), Arena ($5000)
Concessions=Team ($4800), Arena ($7200)
Souvoniors=Team ($8000), Arena ($0.00)

Team Takes in a total of $10,600.00 for that night

INCOME......................................$10600 .00
-Rent..........................................-1500.00
-Lights, Utilities, Misc Expenses......-750.00
-Player Salaries (10 x $500.00).....-5000.00 (per game)
+Sponsorship Packages................+3500.00 (per Game)
TEAMS MAKES:............................$6850.00 (Per Game)

That is how you look at the numbers.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Darned Chicago market! They ruined the CBA.

You might want to re-check your figures. Each person bought a ticket @ $12.50? Each ticket is worth $15 at the concession stands? I don't think so.

INCOME......................................$10600 .00
-Rent..........................................-1500.00
-Lights, Utilities, Misc Expenses......-750.00
-Player Salaries (10 x $500.00).....-5000.00 (per game)
+Sponsorship Packages................+3500.00 (per Game)
TEAMS MAKES:............................$6850.00 (Per Game)


Sponsorship packages @ $3500 per game? This is the kind of accounting that causes teams to fold. It doesn't work this way in reality.

[mzracing76]

Ken, All i am saying is that most average tickets (sioux falls) are about $10-14 a seat. The average seat (family of 2-kids, mom, dad) probally spend about $30-45 a game on food/beverages. maybe that is a little high, but keep it simple. that would put the average concessions at $10 a ticket. Just an Average ken. And for one, Sioux Falls has shown over the past 10-15 years how to run a First Class Organization and make money at it. You need to actually try and go out and get atleast $500,000 in corperate dollars a year, and sign up atleast 2500-3000 season tickets a year. I dont know about the Steelheads, they seem like a very good run organization as most the CBA teams have now these days. But if you can get about 3500 tickets a game, most Minor League teams will survive.

We dont need to go into the markets like Chicago, LA, or even the Florida region. The CBA tried this and failed miserably. We have had the SIoux Falls team since 1989, and i have seen alot of cities come and go. Some in which i wish were still around. Grand Rapids, Wichita Falls, Oklahoma City, Rapid City, Fargo-Moorhead, Tri-City (WASH), Omaha, and even Fort Wayne. Those cities are the ideal market. But for some reason (Rapid City the exception) jsut didnt have great management, But they were the ideal markets. Rapid City didnt have a chance at the time they lost the Thrillers cause their OWNER was a JOKE, GREEDY, ETC....the Thrillers much like Sioux Falls, averaged 4000-5000 fans every year. Sioux Falls Attendance is down a little these past two seasons, but that is because we had lousy teams the past two years. But Sioux Falls has over the years (1989-present) have drawn well (No less than 3500) and consistany lead the CBA in attendance if not every year, everyother.

Ken, I was only making a point. that team mentioned above, mayonly get 1000 fans, but if they run the team first class, bring in the corperate sponsors, sell atleast 500-1000 season tickets, they should be fine. You need to look at the whole picture, not just tickets. Every seat is worth something at the Concession Stand, Souvenior Stand, etc.

AND I SAID "AVERAGE TICKET" Not every ticket is worth $12.50. Re-Read that again. Most Teams go $20-15-10-5 in the CBA. so you cant look at a $8.00 ticket and figure the total Ticket revenue on the bottom ticket.

Ken, No need to Get Cocky Little Man. I wasnt trying to start a fight.
MZ

[TEN]

While the Sioux Falls Skyforce are probably the premier minor league basketball franchise, even the Skyforce people would love to get the revenue targets you mention.

The average ticket price is more like eight bucks than 12.50 in every place other than Sioux Falls (and I would assume Sioux Falls is not 12.50). You have to take into consideration comps, discount group tickets (which I am sure that Sioux Falls has a lot of) and a high percentage of general admission tickets.

Most minor league basketball franchises don't get more than a cut of concessions. If Sioux Falls gets all concessions from the Arena then they have a sweetheart deal.

I guarantee you, there isn't an ABA team that has had more than 1000 paid yet. And there is no way one of these franchises will bring in 500K in corporate sponsorship cash. Not with crowds of 1000 a game or less.

[NBAGod]

I too follow minor league basketball closely.....Our Sports Central is a great resource. Having worked for three years for a CBA team and the last decade in the NBA I figured I'd throw my two cents in on this topic.

I think some of the financial figures being thrown around are a bit inflated. First of all, it is highly unlikely that many minor league basketball teams get concessions revenue in the first place. I'm sure there are exceptions, but the building's owner generally gets that revenue (that's why most major league teams and many minor league baseball teams are building their own venues and retaining control of the ancillary revenues). Second of all, the per caps on concessions are probably around $5-$7....not $15.

Yes, Sioux Falls is a premier minor league franchise, but the ABA teams discussed here are closer to YMCA teams than they are to legitimate teams like the Skyforce. While Sioux Falls has a legitimate season ticket and sponsor base, these ABA teams certainly do not. How can you sell season tickets or sponsorships when you don't have a stable schedule, roster of teams or in many cases venue? I'll guarantee that a large percentage of ABA tickets are "comps" and any "sponsorships" are mostly trade deals and not cash. What business would pay cash to advertise to a non-existant fans base? It'll be interesting to see how these ABA teams will meet payrolls in the coming weeks and months.

Anyway, good discussion.....my two cents. As a CBA alum (with a championship ring to show for it!) I enjoy following minor league sports....as for the ABA, pure comedy....like a 10 car pile up....I shouldn't look, but I can't help it.

[Houston Caldwell]

Here is my evaluation of the development of the Rhythm franchise to date;
We're 5-0 right now, so the on-court product is pretty good.
Fan and sponsor base; at 1200 fans a game, we're not a CBA-level franchise at this point, but we're not a YMCA team either. The only CBA-level organization in the ABA right now is the Rimrockers.
However, with our good team and aggressive, hard working management, I think we could reach CBA-type levels in Year 2, maybe even in late year 1 if we continue as a championship contender. These young people are doing a good job; right now, in the ABA, I'd rank us in the top 5 teams in fan and sponsor support.
A well-organized national (as opposed to CBA, which is a regional league of the Midwest) Minor league for pro basketball is needed; I think this franchise could be a good contributor.
I think there is a chance for the Rhythm to be a CBA-level franchise in the Southeast, and that is a good goal for this organization to aim for. But I'll concede we're not there yet.