rockhound
01-04-2009, 04:44 AM
Bisons Hope to See Fan Growth
Messenger-Inquirer
2008-12-25
By Rich Suwanski, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
Dec. 25--The Kentucky Bisons have a small but loyal following in Owensboro, and team owner Jay Sills would like to see his product catch on.
The American Basketball Association's semipro franchise is comprised mostly of former college players and has a 3-2 record, including a 114-108 win over previously undefeated Nashville on Sunday night.
"The people who have been here have been enthusiastic," said Sills, a Breckinridge County native who played on the Tigers' 1995 state championship boys' basketball team. "When people come, they're pleasantly surprised at how fast the game is and the quality of basketball.
"The challenge is getting more people here. (Attendance) needs to be better, but you can't force people to come."
The Bisons averaged about 250 people through three home games, and drew about 350 on Sunday. The Bisons have 12 more home games in a regular season that runs through March 8.
"The ultimate goal is getting 1,000 fans consistently, but I'd like to see at least 500 this year," Sills said. "There's no reason a town the size of Owensboro can't have that kind of following.
"We're putting a quality produce on the floor. We've got good players, like Boris Siakam, who's one year removed from playing in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 (with Western Kentucky) and a former Kentucky Mr. Basketball (Brandon Stockton). We've got two standouts from Owensboro -- (Apollo High School's) Michael James and (Owensboro's) Lamar Owen.
"We put a darn good product out there."
Part of the problem is the economy as people have cut back on spending. Also, the Bisons have entered the local sports calendar at a time when fans are busy following their favorite high school and college teams, with whom they have strong ties.
The Bisons are new to the scene, and while their talent level exceeds that of any other area team, a glut of games -- including quality fare on TV, too -- usually means attendance suffers. The Bisons play their home games at the Sportscenter with tickets ranging in price from $6 to $12.
Sills said he put together a team with a Kentucky flavor to attract fans.
"I think people think this is a good thing, but they're hesitant to come out and support it," Sills said. "One thing I learned is that games before Christmas aren't well-attended, so next year, I'll try to schedule more home games in January and February."
The Bisons make the game experience similar to the NBA model, with music thumping, strobe lights and seemingly never a dull moment when the game action stops. Even the mascot -- J.D. Messmer, who was WKU's popular Big Red -- entertains.
The ABA amps up the defense, too, by giving an additional point for a basket following a turnover in the backcourt. Also, teams have seven seconds, not 10, to cross midcourt, which encourages teams to press and keeps the action racing.
Sills has gotten his games on local radio and TV. WVJS carries the games on radio while Time-Warner cable is expected to air games on tape delay the day after a game.
"It adds more publicity and legitimacy," Sill said. "Some people think this is a glorified recreational league, but most of these guys played at a high level of college, and some have already played professionally overseas."
https://bankanderson.portalvault.com/default.aspx?pageMode=control&pageModeType=NewsArticleControl&pageModeParam=&storyId=124761985
Messenger-Inquirer
2008-12-25
By Rich Suwanski, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
Dec. 25--The Kentucky Bisons have a small but loyal following in Owensboro, and team owner Jay Sills would like to see his product catch on.
The American Basketball Association's semipro franchise is comprised mostly of former college players and has a 3-2 record, including a 114-108 win over previously undefeated Nashville on Sunday night.
"The people who have been here have been enthusiastic," said Sills, a Breckinridge County native who played on the Tigers' 1995 state championship boys' basketball team. "When people come, they're pleasantly surprised at how fast the game is and the quality of basketball.
"The challenge is getting more people here. (Attendance) needs to be better, but you can't force people to come."
The Bisons averaged about 250 people through three home games, and drew about 350 on Sunday. The Bisons have 12 more home games in a regular season that runs through March 8.
"The ultimate goal is getting 1,000 fans consistently, but I'd like to see at least 500 this year," Sills said. "There's no reason a town the size of Owensboro can't have that kind of following.
"We're putting a quality produce on the floor. We've got good players, like Boris Siakam, who's one year removed from playing in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 (with Western Kentucky) and a former Kentucky Mr. Basketball (Brandon Stockton). We've got two standouts from Owensboro -- (Apollo High School's) Michael James and (Owensboro's) Lamar Owen.
"We put a darn good product out there."
Part of the problem is the economy as people have cut back on spending. Also, the Bisons have entered the local sports calendar at a time when fans are busy following their favorite high school and college teams, with whom they have strong ties.
The Bisons are new to the scene, and while their talent level exceeds that of any other area team, a glut of games -- including quality fare on TV, too -- usually means attendance suffers. The Bisons play their home games at the Sportscenter with tickets ranging in price from $6 to $12.
Sills said he put together a team with a Kentucky flavor to attract fans.
"I think people think this is a good thing, but they're hesitant to come out and support it," Sills said. "One thing I learned is that games before Christmas aren't well-attended, so next year, I'll try to schedule more home games in January and February."
The Bisons make the game experience similar to the NBA model, with music thumping, strobe lights and seemingly never a dull moment when the game action stops. Even the mascot -- J.D. Messmer, who was WKU's popular Big Red -- entertains.
The ABA amps up the defense, too, by giving an additional point for a basket following a turnover in the backcourt. Also, teams have seven seconds, not 10, to cross midcourt, which encourages teams to press and keeps the action racing.
Sills has gotten his games on local radio and TV. WVJS carries the games on radio while Time-Warner cable is expected to air games on tape delay the day after a game.
"It adds more publicity and legitimacy," Sill said. "Some people think this is a glorified recreational league, but most of these guys played at a high level of college, and some have already played professionally overseas."
https://bankanderson.portalvault.com/default.aspx?pageMode=control&pageModeType=NewsArticleControl&pageModeParam=&storyId=124761985