another "the future is now" franchise

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3754761

New 2009 ABA expansion team to hold tryouts
December 20, 2008 - American Basketball Association (ABA)

Riverside, CA. A new ABA expansion team that will begin play in 2009 in Riverside, California (team not yet officially announced) will hold its first tryout camp on Saturday, January 10th and Sunday, January 11th at Riverside Community College, 4800 Magnolia Avenue in Riverside, CA 92501. Saturday will run from 9am-5pm, Sunday from 10am-5pm. There will be a $50.00 processing fee.

According to team owner Monique Flaherty, "We want to begin early putting this team together as it is quite possible that we will be able to fill-in for some regular season ABA games this season. So, this will be an excellent opportunity for some players that have not yet been signed to teams. We're developing a first class operation here and we're ready to begin. For more information, email iebasketball@ymail.com.

So, they aren't even announced yet - but they will be filling in for some games during this current season.

We're developing a first class operation here and we're ready to begin - yep, so "first class" that they are announcing a tryout before the actual team, have yet to establish any sort of tangible presence (ymail.com?), and still say they are "ready to begin." For this ABA, they certainly are.


What a &#@%& joke...

[The Magician]

The Cal teams seem to just "not get it" ?

We keep telling them to develop an all California Pro/Amateur/Developmental System ...

But they would rather associate themselves with the ABA and get nothing out of it.

There's nothing like being a California dreamer.

[nhamilton88]

Is it me or do ABA teams have more "try-outs" then actual games??? Everytime there is an announcement it is to "try-out" for $50...$150.....WTF? It seems that these broke owners hope that the try-outs will fund their dreams and expenses. What a scam.

[The Magician]

Is it me or do ABA teams have more "try-outs" then actual games???

Actually, they have more Dance Team auditions than player tryouts & official season scheduled games combined! :p

Ooops, I forgot, they don't have an official schedule. Everything is on a dry/erase board in the ABA CEO's basement.

[meyes]

It seems to me that, in the middle of the traditional basketball season, anyone who would be considered by any reasonably knowledgeable person to be anyone with the ability to play professional basketball would already be playing somewhere and, therefore, not available to tryout and commit to play at some future date for a "new" team.
I have not been to a basketball game since the AlleyCats were in the ABA.
An A/CBA game might be entertaining and worth $5-10 dollars to attend, but I wouldn't expect to see players that might have the NBA anywhere but in their dreams.

[nypublicist]

I was hired by Riverside Rainmakers....aka.....Riverside Rage.... the owner Monique Flaherty, never paid me for my service....I have all the proper documents. Monique Flaherty, had to me fill out an I-9....she would not return my calls, but returned my assistant calls, only because she didn't know the number. I'm not saying the ABA LEAGUE is a rip off, but the owners of the teams sure are.....That's like you going to work and fill out a W-2, and work, and then when it's time to pay, the company don't want to pay.

[The Sweeper]

I'm not saying the ABA LEAGUE is a rip off, but the owners of the teams sure are.

You need not say it, we've been saying it for the longest time.

[Paul S]

My condolences for you. This is a sad event, it happened to me with a former employer (not ABA or sports related) and I was left in the lurch. There are others on this board who have been through it too.

The worst part is I doubt there will be too much surprise. Good luck and keep us informed of what happens, if anything.

[nypublicist]

http://www.abalive.com/

The link above, will give you all the needed information, regarding the ABA.

[Paul S]

NYPublicist, can you expand a little on what happened? Did Joe ever get involved? Did the ABA have any interaction with the team in terms of wages etc? Was there any sort of awareness of issues with the league? Did the ABA have some sort of business plan that the team was operating by or with?

(to fellow posters, I know some of the questions are rhetorical at best but I want to see what -if anything- the ABA actually did about this)

[nypublicist]

--- On Fri, 4/24/09, I.E. Basketball <iebasketball@ymail.com> wrote:

From: I.E. Basketball <iebasketball@ymail.com>
Subject: Information Request
To: "Patsy Perkins Publicist" <ptsy_perkins@yahoo.com>
Cc: iebasketball@ymail.com
Date: Friday, April 24, 2009, 8:18 AM



Hello Patsy,

I apologize for it taking so long for me to provide you with the information to get you officially started with our organization! Please find the I-9 form we discussed attached. Complete along with copies of of appropriate documentation.

Additionally, I have received another appearance request for our basketball team, are you familiar with performance agreements? If so, do you know where I can locate an acceptable sample?

Regards,

Mo





Patsy Perkins
P.O. BOX 10454
BRONX, NEW YORK 10454
917.214.8401
PTSY_PERKINS@YAHOO.COM
May 5, 2009
Dear Ms. Flaherty,
I have focused on delivering great publicity while constantly bringing more effective collaborations with companies for over twenty (20) years. Because I’m familiar with the entertainment industry, I can implement the newest methods while maintaining an effective way of promoting businesses. I’ve consistently did the same successful work with my previous clients, which I have included in this letter; I feel I did not have to send this information to you because I thought I was already hired for the job. Never have I come across a company who has sent out I-9’s stating that they would put me on their payroll and then change their decision in hiring at the last minute.
I have already taken out an extensive part of my time in starting the process in promoting you and your company, mind you without payment. Thus far, I have had interviews setup for you with ESPN and other media outlets. This upsets me because of the simple fact that I have taken out time from other clients to begin working on your project. When you sent the form for me to email out, I believed that the process was meant for me to start working (even if I had not had any monies sent my way). I reluctantly emailed it to you thinking that my first payment would be today. I also remember that you stated your payments start on the 5th and the 20th of each month. The majority of publicist do not start the promoting process without funds, I have! You will also not find a publicist who gets paid twice a month. Their services are paid prior to the months work, in full!
I have had to barter with other agencies in order to get your story out, and on the list for events. However, I am completely regretting taking this step without any payment. I am not sure if you understand how the PR process works, but the way this started out is not acceptable. My reputation with these agencies, media outlets, and the like is at stake. I work hard at what I do and people who know me know that I am a hard worker and a woman of my word. This ordeal has jeopardized my firm with my clients. Because of the lack of connection from your part in not responding and in payment, I have to now come up with something to explain to these prearranged events, and interviews that I have set up for you and your company! The work that I have done for you, even if you think is something small, is actually major. My work is not a game and can not be taken for granted by anyone. If services are needed it is $3500 up front paid in full. I do not take partial payment.
Patsy Perkins
P.O. BOX 10454  BRONX, NEW YORK  10454
917.214.8401 PTSY_PERKINS@YAHOO.COM
PATSY PERKINS


Patsy,

I am in receipt of your letter of intent, resume and copy of invoice! I am not sure how this situation has gotten off track so quickly,and so badly, to the point you felt it necessary to send me such a correspondence. However, I do believe that working together we should be able to come up with a solution that is viable for all parties involved. I will be in contact to arrange a conference call to discuss the resolution of these issues. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns.

Regards,

Monique Flaherty

I spoke with the ABA League, and they have nothing to do with her ABA League, in the form of her not paying. In other words, they collect and get their monies and that's it. I have not heard from her or anyone on her staff, that's if she, even has a staff. I'm sure, she is still having tryouts to pay her rent and car payment. It would of been great exposure for her, since nobody has in FAITH in this league. I had interviews, setup with ESPN, RADIO, PRINT, and A and B list clients to appear with mad exposure. The sad part is, they wonder why they get no support, its another scam to pay their bills, that's why they continue to have tryouts and No games!!! The next step is to write a letter to the Newspaper, but if anyone like to ask her, her number is (951) 496-5502, emails don't LIE. I have never made an example out of anyone in business, but, it's time, I be the voice for all HARD WORKING PUBLICIST, for clients that don't PAY.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

An upstart, underfunded ABA team screwing over an employee: CHECK
The league CEO fails to take any action: CHECK
More bridges burned between decent people and minor-league basketball due to the abject failure of another ABA franchise to run things in a professional manner: CHECK

Congratualtions - you hit for the trifecta!

Welcome to the club - be sure to visit the appetizer bar and carving stations, grab a cold drink, pull up a chair and sit with us while we wait for the next show.

The ABA's real 3-D rule:
Dupe
Deny
Denigrate

[The Sweeper]

The ABA's real 3-D rule:
Dupe
Deny
Denigrate


And following that up, if you know ABARW&B's 3D Rule, it leads you to the 4th "D" that describes the ABA and can be found frequently here...


Despicable

[preeths]

The ABA's real 3-D rule:
Dupe
Deny
Denigrate

Brilliant and accurate.

[Paul S]

The ABA's real 3-D rule:
Dupe
Deny
Denigrate

Agree with PReeths 100 percent. That, ABARWB, is one of your best zingers.