How could a new NBA CBA affect minors?

[wncsport.com]

I'll try to be optimistic and suggest that the NBA and its players will not commit financial suicide like the NHL and its players are doing right now, and get an agreement before a lockout happens.

It's obvious Stern wants a greatly expanded NBDL as part of the deal. Anyone think he may finally make an offer the CBA (or any other league) can't refuse and merge?

It's clear that the CBA is doing something right attendance wise, and that would be the fastest way to expand to Stern's desired number of 15 teams. Perhaps the residents of cities with NBDL teams will see the attendance numbers in the CBA towns and sublimally tell themselves to support their local team.

Any thoughts??

[mzracing76]

The CBA has come along way over the past 20 years. Back in 1989-1998, we of the CBA, had a Contract with the NBA for producing Players, Referees, Coaches, Cheer Leaders, Front Office Executives, and more.

During the Seasons of 1989-1994, we even had a NBA/CBA Developemental System in place. Each NBA Team shared Player Rights with a single CBA Team. Example, the Sioux Falls Skyforce worked with the Minnesota Timberwolves & LA Clippers, and the Rapid City Thrillers had the Utah Jazz (A-L) and the Sacramento Kings. While the Omaha Racers had the Utah Jazz (M-Z) and the Chicago Bulls. Each CBA team was affiliated with atleast 1-1/2 NBA Teams depending on the availability of the system since there were 28-29 NBA teams compared to 17 CBA teams.

I have been a Long time CBA Supporter and being from Sioux Falls, SD the hot bed of all of Minor League Basketball, since the SKyforce are the Premiere Minor League Basketball team inteh USA today. Sioux Falls Anualy averages betweet 3500-5000 fans a game, and anually recieves 2500-3000 season ticket holders. Sioux Falls, SD is the ideal market for a CBA team. And Coperate SPonsorships are annually in the $350,000-500,000 a year price rance. The Skyforce have very unique partnership with the SIoux Falls Arena where it receivs 30% of the concessions. The CBA has used SIoux Falls as a model for sucess for MInor League Basketball and i think that more Cities across america should to.

I feel the ideal market for Minor League Basketball is a city with a population in the area of 75,000 to 250,000 people. any more than that, would be trouble since there is more to do in bigger attractive cities.

I think if the NBA recognises the CBA a little, we both could help each other grow. The CBA has been around longer than the NBA (1946), and has seen its share of growing pains. Isaiah Thomas really hurt the CBA financially and we lost a lot of great teams/cities in the process.

IF the NBA/CBA could form a partnership and develop one league (AAA). that is the direction i think is best.

Being in Sioux Falls, SD...I have seen Flip Saunders, Mo McHone as coaches get called up to the NBA, we had a General Manager get called up to the Houston Rockets, we had two cheer leaders recieve call ups tothe Chicago Bulls (1995), and numerous Players (49) get called up. Big Names for the Skyforce are: Stacey King(even as coach), Henry James, Bobby Phills, Reggie Jordon, Corey Beck, Randy Livingston, Darryl Dawkins, Quinton Daily, Adrian Branch, Reggie Fox, Troy Hudson, and the list goes on.

The CBA has proved itself. we have been in trouble financially for years, but yet we stil find a way to pay our bills, and keep our fans happy. YEs we have our share of problems, but who dont.

I am all for a Partnership with the NBA/CBA. keep the two seperate, but have a National League vs a American League style. Our 9 teams vs your 7-8 teams from the NBDA. Remember, the CBA has three more franchises (Albany, Grand Rapids, and Bellvue, WA) coming into to play next year (2005-06) which will bring our total to 11.

Make Sure the NBA recognizes the CBA....Have the Continental Conference (CBA) with 2-3 divisions, and have the National Basketball Conference (NBDA) with 1-2 divisions. then have a Playoff format much like baseball or even the NBA Playoffs.

MZ