Arkansas of the ABA not leaving home!

[segretti33]

I just heard this weekend that the ABA team out of Arkansas has decided that they were not going to play any more Road games because of expenses but were still wanting all the other teams to come play them. What kind of messed up crap is that. If I owned a team or coached one I would not travel to them. I say they should just pick up shop and get out of the league.

[Sam Hill]

Enough teams do that already. :roll:

Considering how much money there is to be made (theoretically) at one of their home games, and how much clout they likely have within the league, I don't blame them. Considering how many other pissant teams decide not to travel without repercussions, seems fair to me.

[skippy]

Honestly...can any teams be salvaged from the ABA?

Maybe Arkansas should join the CBA, I would say the NBDL but then they wouldn't have as much control over personel.

I used to think Kansas City, Nashville, Utah, and Long Beach, but now...I think they should all just fold up shop.

[dshaw62197]

Perhaps a handful of the league's best teams might be salvaged to create the nucleus of a healthy new operation. However, as long as Uncle Joe is at the helm, this ship will continue to take on water... Besides, after this season, will anyone take the ABA moniker seriously, after all the damage done this season? :cry:

[skippy]

Joe Harge is applying for the Lou Henson vacancy at New Mexico State.

www.abqjournal.com

[Sam Hill]

We'll have to take your word for it, since the Albuquerque Journal requires you to be a paid subscriber to read its articles online.

This is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, mind you. Puh-leez.

[Anonymous Hardhat]

I can't say that I blame the Rimrockers. After all, they probably have sponsorship deals that require them to play at least 18 home games and they probably have sold season ticket packages for 18 home games. I'm sure the Rimrockers don't want to refund that money at this point, so the only way to "earn" it is to play 18 home games.

However, what does it say about the leadership of this league that one team can dictate when and where it will play its remaining games? If Arkansas gets away with it, I'll bet Nashville, Utah, Texas and Long Beach follow suit.

I also bet that those teams a few more will start a new league or join another one if Joe Newman is still at the helm when the 2005-6 ABA seaon tips off.

[rimrockerfan]

Before one starts throwing stones at a team it should be required to get the facts and not just say, "I heard this weekend".... Arkansas is the only team on pace to even come close to the 36 games scheduled for the season, having already played 31 games with 2 more to play at home.

The main reason that Arkansas did not go on the road for additional games is that those teams were not willing to fulfill their committment to come to Arkansas to play unless Arkansas paid for their trip. At least 2 teams refused to play at Arkansas even on a home and home basis because they were playing for playoff seading and didn't want to risk 1 loss, much less 2.

This again illustrates the lack of control the "league office" has over the teams and schedules. Organizations like Arkansas should not have to pay teams to come in and play just in order to fulfill the obligations they made to fans, media and facilities because the league can't get their crap together!

[Anonymous Hardhat]

Rimrockerfan,

I don't think anyone was throwing stones at your organization. Besides, we have precious few stones left after throwing them at this league and its commissioner. All of the remaining ones are left for them.

Seriously, we are not condemning the Rimrockers for taking this stand. As I said, your organization has commitments to fulfill and takes those commitments very seriously, unlike many other organizations in this league. Kudos. We, however, are condemning this league for allowing something like this to happen over and over again. If this league and its commissioner would take the time to screen potential owners and only approve owners like Larry Crain, your organization and this league would be better served. As long as Joe Newman continues to have a pipe dream that he can expand by 40 teams per year without any legal reprecussions from existing, expansion or failed owners, this league and its commissioner are nothing more than a sham.

Remember the old adage, you are only as good as your weakest link. With Joe Newman in the chain, god bless you.

[rimrockerfan]

Hardhat,

I'll take it that you and Sam Hill were not throwing stones and Amen your comments about the league and their total lack of crediblity and integrity which was actually the point anyway. We are fortunate that the organization is as well run as it is. My impressions of what facets of the organization I have been exposed to have all been favorable, from the players to the front office staff and even the media people from the newspaper writer to the radio people. If only the league would get rid of Neumann and run the league like Arkansas appears to be run maybe the jokes would cease.

It's a shame to because I have seen some great basketball this season.

[Anonymous Hardhat]

Since you appear to have the inside track on the Rimrockers, I will ask you a few questions:

1. Is there any truth to the rumor that a group of strong ABA teams is either going to (a) buyout Newman and his posse and takeover the ABA or (b) form or join another league? It would be a shame if someone like Larry Crain decided not to pursue professional basketball in Arkansas (with its apparent success) due to the antics of Newman and his posse.

2. Does Larry Crain regularly talk to Joe Newman or has all communication broken down among the strong ABA teams and Joe?

3. Will Larry Crain field a team next year in the ABA if Joe Newman is still the "commissioner" (and I use that term loosely)?

It would be great to hear from one of the premier owners and organizations in this league as to their take on this fiasco.

[Pounder]

With the kind of ownership the ABA tends to attract, which I perceive as "95% of 'em aren't rich enough to break away," can a new league really be formed from 1-4 good owners?

Even worse, other options seem to not be in a good geographic range... or they play in the spring. (Maybe a southern-based league should play in the summer, or do those arenas have AC??)

Just a thought or two. I think WE speculated on a breakaway, which may have started a rumor. Thing is, since this league sprawls so much, and there are so many organizations in trouble, you'd think someone would have said something by now. I hate to think that my initial question is on the mark.

[Sam Hill]

With the kind of ownership the ABA tends to attract, which I perceive as "95% of 'em aren't rich enough to break away," can a new league really be formed from 1-4 good owners?

A lower-level league, yeah. I would think higher standards, without a guy like Newman in charge, could attract serious operators. At least more serious than most of the ABA guys.

But then, if you were going to do it, why take a flyer on a new basketball league? All of the ones that have started in the last ten years have been dreck - it's just too hard to do, IMHO. You're better off going to the CBA, and if you can't afford it, don't do it at all. Put your money in the market. And if you're determined to own a pro sports team, get an independent baseball team or something.

[Common Sense]

Thank you Sam Hill. It couldn't be said better than you just did! If the Arkasas franchise is indeed legit, they should look into the CBA. Their fans deserve to be in a league that will complete it's season and can get their players up to the NBA.