Is Albany saving the league or themselves?

[LightningMan]

As a fan of a team that was in the ABA and had the good sense to get out, I think this interleague play with the ABA is a black mark on the CBA. But I am, of course, biased. It seems to benefit Albany, but Lawton / Fort Sill is against it and Minot it appears would have to fly any ABA teams in to play. Was this really for the benefit of the league as a whole, or does it just try to keep Albany's fat out of the fire? I have my suspicions, but I am just an observer and I'd like to know what you think.

[preeths]

This was a decision that came out of Albany, no doubt. Coyne was the driving force, first and foremost in a misguided attempt to protect the Patroons first and his investment in the CBA a distant second. East Kentucky is the only other team that purportedly benefits from this move.

[a1sports]

It was 100% to save Albany's Owner ( Fernandez) Butt, he is owed money.... A 100% selfish move.
The other owners should drop out now and they will be money ahead.....

Look at the unemployment figures for today over 500,000 it will double in 2 months...

This is a business not worth saving. Wait and regroup next year in another league. Dont tarnish your reputation by going to ABA. Also dont lose any more $$$$.

Take a step back....think !! what do you gain by playing ABA rec league teams that may not show up....that have no money...that have nothing going for them. Which CBA team will be the first to pay for an ABA team to come and play them??

Let Albany go down.....

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

It was 100% to save Albany's Owner ( Fernandez) Butt, he is owed money.... A 100% selfish move.
The other owners should drop out now and they will be money ahead.....

Look at the unemployment figures for today over 500,000 it will double in 2 months...

This is a business not worth saving. Wait and regroup next year in another league. Dont tarnish your reputation by going to ABA. Also dont lose any more $$$$.

Take a step back....think !! what do you gain by playing ABA rec league teams that may not show up....that have no money...that have nothing going for them. Which CBA team will be the first to pay for an ABA team to come and play them??

Let Albany go down.....

I agree that the entire CBA should have stepped-back, taken the year off, and regrouped. The general rule about leagues or teams not coming back ever after a lay-off should no longer apply. We are experiencing economic times that most people have never seen before.

What's wrong with Albany trying to cover their behinds?!? What's wrong with them looking out for their business interests? The other teams knew what the deal was with teams folding and the spread-out geography. What did THEY do to cover THEIR butts? Albany held a do or die season ticket drive.

Actually, scheduling games with ABA teams seems to be a good idea to me. Some ABA teams are no worse organizationally than teams in other minor leagues.

[preeths]

A very small handful of ABA teams are no worse organizationally than teams in other minor leagues. I'd peg the number at six to eight. The rest represent the worst minor league sports has to offer so all the skepticism is warranted.

[wellington]

Dumb move. I don't understand why the teams are going along with this. It is much better to preserve one's credibility than to agree to inter-league play with the ABA -- its absurd. The very little shred of credibility that was left for the CBA was shredded by this move.

If I was in charge, I'd go with a travel team for 2008-09 to take the place of Pittsburgh.

[psbf]

Ken, you seem to be split personalities here. You said that the CBA should take a year off(which I agree), then you say that their playing ABA teams is a good idea. Which is it?

[Patroons1]

I think going dark is darn tough to come back from....This was clearly an attempt to save the CBA from that fate. Ofcourse, the best case is 8+ teams, geographically clustered but that is not what we have. On top, is a tough economy. The ABA / CBA games could be "spun" as pre-season to an economically driven shorter CBA season (like the PBL frankly) which is really a viable "interpretation" of what has happened.

Is the arrangement perfect, no. Is the ABA perfect, no. Is the CBA perfect, no. Is the PBL perfect, who the heck knows, they are only 1 yr old but probably not.

It remains unfortunate that a merger could not be worked out. None of us know the reasons, except of course, the great and all powerful oz (aka A1).

So for us mortals, let's hope it works out this year and in the future for all leagues before we have nothing left to merge.

PS. The Patroons look VERY strong...

[PikevilleOT]

I think everyone will agree that it is had better days; however, the CBA despite its troubles will field the best minor league rosters this side of the DLeague. Albany , EK, Lawton, and Minot all have some very solid players.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Ken, you seem to be split personalities here. You said that the CBA should take a year off(which I agree), then you say that their playing ABA teams is a good idea. Which is it?

Yes, I believe the CBA should take some time off. If the mighty Honda Formula One racing team can call it quits because of the economy, then the CBA can at least take some time off citing the same reasons. However, if the CBA is set on having a season then I think scheduling games with ABA teams is a good idea. It's a business solution to a sticky situation. Some people don't seem to remember the problems the CBA had with Apex, Atlanta and Michael Tuckman last season. I do remember. Playing games against ABA opponents can't be any worse.

[wellington]

Only Michael Tuckman can save the CBA now.

[psbf]

Unlike others, Ken, I remember and I still feel that the league handled that situation poorly. I have a long memory!!

Wellington, you have an active imagination my friend lol

[zeke41]

Only Michael Tuckman can save the CBA now.

LOL - :cool:

[BreakersFan]

As a fan of a team that was in the ABA and had the good sense to get out, I think this interleague play with the ABA is a black mark on the CBA. But I am, of course, biased. It seems to benefit Albany, but Lawton / Fort Sill is against it and Minot it appears would have to fly any ABA teams in to play. Was this really for the benefit of the league as a whole, or does it just try to keep Albany's fat out of the fire? I have my suspicions, but I am just an observer and I'd like to know what you think.

Yes Albany is saving the league for another miserable partial season - if in your question the league you meant was the ABA....

[preeths]

What do Apex, the Atlanta ownership and Michael Tuckman all have in common?

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

What do Apex, the Atlanta ownership and Michael Tuckman all have in common?

Hmmmmm. They ALL have ABA origins?!?

[zeke41]

failure??? I don't know...that may not be the answer you're looking for, but it is true.

[preeths]

You're both right. And they were some of the best the ABA had to offer.

[Pounder]

Only Michael Tuckman can save the CBA now.

OW!!! MY EYES!!!

Please pass the hydrochloric. No way that'll hurt worse than seeing that one now.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

The ones that paint those that disagree with him as mean-spirited...

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3750312

Patroons push ahead with ABA games
December 10, 2008 - Continental Basketball Association (CBA) Albany Patroons

Nationally, due to the falling economy, professional teams and leagues are going out of business. The Albany Patroons organization has made every effort to continue playing basketball and providing exciting, fan-friendly, family affordable professional basketball to the capital region.
The ABA/CBA interleague schedule offers the fans more of a variety of teams visiting the Armory. In addition, fans will be able to assess and compare the quality of play of both leagues.

The Patroons while in season employ more than a dozen employees. They spend money in this community for food, lodging, shopping malls, travel, etc. Visiting teams also boost our local economy in the same way.

Those naysayers who do not want the Patroons to continue, unfortunately jeopardize employment of these players and as a result could add to the already deteriorating economy of the capital district.

From a community stand point, our foundation is providing 500 tickets to underprivileged kids to attend our games. The Patroons want to help keep these kids off the streets and provide role models for them on the basketball court.

The Patroons and Coach Rowland plan to visit local schools to discuss anti-drug and anti-gang topics, along with some exhibitions for the students.

[runninref]

You ever notice how the CBA and ABA posts are totally chaotic and the PBL posts are business as usual? Is this really the current state of minor league basketball?:mrgreen: