Rainmen leave ABA effective immideately, Pursuing D-League Membership

[misenern]

From Chris Parson's Rainmen Blog:

Big news, pretty much exactly what I expected:

The Rainmen have officially left the ABA and will not be going to Quebec for the ABA Play Offs.

In addition, Livingston will be putting together a team of professionals and investors to investigate joining the NBA D-League. No word on how close they are to being accepted into the D-League but:

1) I know that Livingston has had close contact with the D-League and various D-League and NBA owners over the last few weeks trying to facilitate a move to North America’s premier minor league.

2) The Raptors publically have made it very clear that they want a team in southern Ontario.

http://rainmenblog.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/rainmen-leave-aba-effective-immideately-will-not-participate-in-playoffs-pursuing-d-league-membership/

[LightningMan]

It's becoming an ABA tradition for a playoff team to leave the league during the playoffs!

[Sam Hill]

This.

Warms my heart.

Cue Newman talking about what backstabbing bad people Livingston and his people are in 3...2....1.....

[williamhughes11]

What, they don't want the "prestige" of trying to become ABA champions? :rolleyes:

It says a lot about a league when a team decides to drop out right before a playoff game where they were expected to have the advantage of playing a team that played the night before.

[formerlyknownasfells]

Here is a copy of the release...

Halifax, N.S.) Owner of The Halifax Rainmen has officially removed the team from the American Basketball Association, effective 10:00 a.m. today, March 19. The Rainmen will be not participating in the league’s play-offs, scheduled in Quebec later this month.



“After all the challenges we faced this year, it became obvious that the ABA is not the right league for the Halifax Rainmen. Our fans, our corporate partners, our season tickets holders and this city deserve better, and I will do every thing I can to deliver,” added team owner Andre Levingston.

Levingston is excited to announce future plans of the Halifax Rainmen. The team plans to make a run at becoming a member of the NBA’s Developmental League.


“I am so thrilled to begin the process of negotiating to become an NBA Developmental team. Tomorrow we will start to assemble a task force of professionals to begin to make our case to present to the league as soon as possible,” said Levingston.

Levingston commits the Rainmen will stay in Halifax regardless of the success of the future NBA D-League negotiations.

[tops804]

Shall we open up the bets on how soon until the Rainmen are removed from
the ABA's team page???

I say by 1 p.m. ET, unless of course Joe still thinks they will "beg to come back"
by tournament time...

[formerlyknownasfells]

My question is when the mushroom cloud over Indianapolis will be able to be viewed on Pluto.

[tops804]

My question is when the mushroom cloud over Indianapolis will be able to be viewed on Pluto.

My next question, is who is the next team to leave Joe during the playoffs???

"Mean-Sprited-Teams":p

[Sam Hill]

My question is when the mushroom cloud over Indianapolis will be able to be viewed on Pluto.

http://www.atomicforum.org/france/dragon01.jpg

[formerlyknownasfells]

My next question, is who is the next team to leave Joe during the playoffs???

"Mean-Sprited-Teams":p

Let's put it this way, things could get REALLY interesting. Think about it, San Francisco is in the Great Eight and they aren't exactly the pillar of financial stability, so they could go. (As stable as a fault line during an earthquake.) Manchester and Vermont are solid, so I don't see them going anywhere. Here is the irony of the whole situation; if another team drops out, Maywood and their 3-23 record could end up in the Great Eight.

This just keeps getting better and better by the second.

[LightningMan]

If another team drops out, Maywood and their 3-23 record could end up in the Great Eight.

This just keeps getting better and better by the second.
How many teams would have to drop out before the Gwizz would make it?

[formerlyknownasfells]

I don't think they can go as the Gwizz don't have enough guys who have played in at least three division games.

[TheStandard]

im laughing. Im laughing very very hard.

Now if the Rainmen cant get in to the D League, I know what will happen. CBA/PBL. Real leagues. Not Crap like the ABA.

HAHAHAHAH JOE. You wanted to harrass me over the phone yesterday!!! And what did you get!??!?! A lashing by me and now..... Halifax is gone.

[williamhughes11]

I think Joe knew this was coming. Why else would the Eastern mini-playoff be put in Quebec City right before the main tournament instead of playing it in Halifax this past weekend as the Western mini-playoff was?

I'm not saying Joe is smart for allowing Halifax to leave. I just think he was smart enough to know they didn't want to stick around, and the Bahama cancellation was the last straw (all credit and respect to Atlanta for agreeing to play.).

I only hope this is not the last team to leave the league before the tournament. Maybe the Final VIII will be the number of teams that leave the league. :D

[utahstarsticketholder]

To The Rainmen , your quality, effort and honesty was never a good fit in the "ABA". Your future is bright in whatever professional league is smart enough to court your organization. jack
BTW Ole Joe you do have one friend those "smart guys" at the Black Athletes Sports Network, they sent me an email stating "They believe in Joe Newmans' vision and that I should stop posting negative comments on OSC!." LOL

[BreakersFan]

Why do I see alot of Quebec area guys getting a chance to play ABA basketball very soon.

The jersey doesn't say San Francisco? We'll just use masking tape.....

[rams80]

My question is when the mushroom cloud over Indianapolis will be able to be viewed on Pluto.

*looks to the East*

Feh, can't see it. :p

My question about this is....I thought the D-League said they weren't taking any more ABA teams in.

[TheStandard]

Hes a cockroach he wont go away lol

[Paul S]

Must be a pretty tense night at the Newman compound in Indiana tonight. A big part of Joes' wacky little league just waltzed out the door. You could see the writing on the wall (ATTENTION GWIZZLIES FANS-- 'u kud c the righting on da wahl) when the Bahamas No-Shows didn;t turn up and Andre was furious at this cock-a-me-mee little league.

It will be interesting to hear Carters' take on this. He flies up to Halifax to play a last minute game then the Rainmen leave the league. Either he is out of pocket, Andre flew them up of Joe PROMISSED to fly them up.

Carter, if Joe says "book it and I'll pay you back" I'd get a couple of your Power Forwards to go with you on a one day quick trip up to Indiana to collect the cash (no checks) from Joe personally.

[CHris902]

Must be a pretty tense night at the Newman compound in Indiana tonight. A big part of Joes' wacky little league just waltzed out the door. You could see the writing on the wall (ATTENTION GWIZZLIES FANS-- 'u kud c the righting on da wahl) when the Bahamas No-Shows didn;t turn up and Andre was furious at this cock-a-me-mee little league.

It will be interesting to hear Carters' take on this. He flies up to Halifax to play a last minute game then the Rainmen leave the league. Either he is out of pocket, Andre flew them up of Joe PROMISSED to fly them up.

Carter, if Joe says "book it and I'll pay you back" I'd get a couple of your Power Forwards to go with you on a one day quick trip up to Indiana to collect the cash (no checks) from Joe personally.

My understanding that Halifax paid for Atlanta's flights.

[robster2001]

I don't think they can go as the Gwizz don't have enough guys who have played in at least three division games.

I suspect that rule will be forgotten, if necessary, to ensure 8 teams at Vermont's corona-- um-- the Deflated VIII.

[TheStandard]

Corona= Lies, Taint an ABAism

[BigDaddyPhil]

I think robster was going to say coronation.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Halifax has been removed from the list of active ABA teams.

Still no 'Ask the CEO' answering the email from <insert name> from Halifax (and many others) regarding the sudden departure of the Rainmen from the league...

C'mon Joe! You're usually more dependable than this!

We await your "reply" to the situation...

[a1sports]

ASK THE CEO:

Josh Polar, Nimee, Alaska

"Why did halifax quit the ABA?

From the CEO:
Thanks for the question, Josh, Your the only one that cares about Halifax, but I will answer. You see Josh, in the ABA, I do not like to spend money on travel, promotions, TV contracts, schedules, employee salaries etc etc. When HAlifax wasnt going to pay for teams to travel to them, I had no choice but to dis-invite Halifax from the ABA. Untill the owners in the ABA understand that I pay for nothing but expect 10k checks from them, no one will be allowed to play in the ABA. Thank you. HAve a great Day.

[robster2001]

I think robster was going to say coronation.

:)

Anyone know if there are still VIII teams in the Deflated VIII?

[Paul S]

:)

Anyone know if there are still VIII teams in the Deflated VIII?

The Deflated VIII, HA HA HA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa!!!!!!!!!!! Thats a good one Robster. Seeing as the Utica Wreckers has a tow truck carting around that deflated red, white and blue ball, maybe Joe should rename this from the Great VIII or Deflated VIII to "Survivor ABA - Quebec" The team at the end with the least amount of debt wins.

[BreakersFan]

Okay - seriously. Who will be there for the tournament? Quebec, Montreal, Manchester, Vermont, Atlanta, and ??????

[williamhughes11]

According to the schedule, it's supposed to be Quebec, Manchester, Vermont, Atlanta, the Montreal/Jersey winner that day before the tournament(although I think both are getting in, stay tuned for this one), Texas, San Francisco and San Diego.

Although we know the Quebec owner has made arrangements for the teams to get to Quebec, I think one of twothings will happen:

1. Texas will be DQ'ed for violating the non-compete clause since they have been playing as the Dallas franchise in the PBL.

2. San Francisco will pull the plug since they don't want to travel 3,000 miles on an overnight flight to play a one and done 30 point plus blowout against Vermont.

Baghdad Joe wants Montreal in this tournament so he can say both Quebec province-based teams are in. Feel free to quote on on either of the items listed above occurring. :mrgreen:

[Paul S]

I don't know William.

I think someone from the west will come out. Whether or not is SF or not who knows? Montreal is in for sure. I don't know if Joe even has a non-compete for Texas to get thrown out. Not that it'll stop him from dreaming up some random excuse.

But if SF and Texas don't make it then does this league have an additional 8 teams?

[formerlyknownasfells]

According to the schedule, it's supposed to be Quebec, Manchester, Vermont, Atlanta, the Montreal/Jersey winner that day before the tournament(although I think both are getting in, stay tuned for this one), Texas, San Francisco and San Diego.

Although we know the Quebec owner has made arrangements for the teams to get to Quebec, I think one of twothings will happen:

1. Texas will be DQ'ed for violating the non-compete clause since they have been playing as the Dallas franchise in the PBL.

2. San Francisco will pull the plug since they don't want to travel 3,000 miles on an overnight flight to play a one and done 30 point plus blowout against Vermont.

Baghdad Joe wants Montreal in this tournament so he can say both Quebec province-based teams are in. Feel free to quote on on either of the items listed above occurring. :mrgreen:

If memory serves me correctly, Texas never signed a non-compete clause with the ABA, so I believe they are safe there. Joe does not want to tick off Charles Key of the Tycoons since Charles has a very stable franchise.

Who knows what is going to happen with San Francisco? No one in the Bay Area knows anything about the team, or that they even exist, so getting any information is close to impossible.

[formerlyknownasfells]

I don't know William.

I think someone from the west will come out. Whether or not is SF or not who knows? Montreal is in for sure. I don't know if Joe even has a non-compete for Texas to get thrown out. Not that it'll stop him from dreaming up some random excuse.

But if SF and Texas don't make it then does this league have an additional 8 teams?

Yowzers, Maywood may actually make the playoffs if SF and Texas don't go. I can just picture it now; 3-23 Maywood taking on 31-7 Vermont in the finals.

(THIS IS NOT THE PLACE TO INSERT A JAB AT ALEX AND VERMONT A1!!!!!)

[williamhughes11]

For me, the fly in the ointment is Jersey. They don't have the deep pockets that Vermont, Manchester, Texas, Quebec and Atlanta have (I don't know a thing about the western teams, and Montreal has been known to show up for road games with only 5 or 6 players as well as change the venue of a home game on the day it's to be played without notifying the opposition.), but they do try to play their games.

Also, let's not forget that Georgia could still claim that their roster was valid for the playoffs and Joe decides to put them into the equation. A Georgia-Maywood final would be fun, now wouldn't it? :infun:

[a1sports]

of course it is. what league championship will you win Alex? where was the league? where are the teams? Shameful he still keeps his mouth shut and keeps Joe afloat.

But soon it will be time to print the comments from about 67 people who were in the ABA as owners, vendors, refs and coaches... I have it all. A total of 167 pages,a document on the rec league with quotes.

sorry ALex..No one had a nice thing to say after December 2007, they did prior to that but you showed your true colors.

Self servitude has a price.

I wonder what you would have written about the ABA if you were not an owner and were assigned to do a story? hmmmmm Would it be that one famous sentence of yours? "I see no problems in the ABA" I wonder what your editor would have said. I wonder what he says now. Oh thats right, your working on a book and will make money off the other ABA owners.

shameful.