(Rhi)nos...What's best?

[tops804]

http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&subsectionID=2&articleID=63829

Rhinos cancel future games
The Daily Courier

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Arizona Rhinos, Prescott Valley's fledgling American Basketball Association (ABA) franchise, announced that there will be no more team games until further notice.

"Games will be suspended until we resolve scheduling issues," Rhinos owner Kisha White said in a statement Tuesday. "Further notice will be given."

The Rhinos' next scheduled game was to have been this Sunday at San Diego.


:rolleyes: Just a thought...
Shouldn't "scheduling issues" be resolved before the season begins?

[Paul S]

"scheduling issues" like we are in Week 8 of the season and this league is so disorganized it doesn't have a schedule maybe Kisha?

Good find Tops.

[Sam Hill]

"Games will be suspended until we resolve scheduling issues."

My ass. They've never had any money and they have even less now.

[arizonacub]

Prescott would be a good market for a decent professional basketball team. The Rhino's should've known that transitioning between the ice and the court at Tim's Toyota Center would be unreasonable. If anything, the Rhinos should go down to Phoenix and play in a men's rec league.

[formerlyknownasfells]

Prescott would be a good market for a decent professional basketball team. The Rhino's should've known that transitioning between the ice and the court at Tim's Toyota Center would be unreasonable. If anything, the Rhinos should go down to Phoenix and play in a men's rec league.

A men's rec league is what this train wreck is.........

[insane_asylum]

Say Goodnight Irene........lol.

Was there ever a doubt?? Seriously?? That's what I said from the get-go.

By the way...the whole parkay flooring issue was known long time ago.......you have to actually have money to buy a floor..........hell......even I have new carpet in my home. Hey....maybe they could play there........NOT!!

[mojado]

http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=152003

http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=152158

http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=152159

http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=152160

[nksports]

The coach isn't paid, the team isn't paid and the hotel isn't paid.

Coach not being paid resigns. The hotel not being paid threatens to sue. The owner not paying coach, hotel, players claims coach didn't resign, I fired him. (Sort of reminds me when Birmingham NIFL owner fires entire team for complaining they weren't paid.)

I won't let Orlando off the hook entirely. He's been in basketball long enough he should have known not to get involved with ABA.

"I keep all my wires from Western Union and Money Gram to prove it plus the petty cash."

Who uses Western Union and/or Money Gram as a payroll service???? IMHO, that kind of proves what kind of broke a$$, mickey mouse organization that said owner was running.

[Paul S]

Great find Mojado.

NK is right, using Moneygram as a payroll service isn't a normal business decision.

[preeths]

For those who didn't look at the links, here's the original email we received from the Rhinos owner January 30th:
Today, I proudly would like to inform you that Orlando Woolridge has been fired as the AZ Rhinos' head coach.
I do not want to slander an already tarnished name but Orlando has gone over and beyond the call of betrayal, deception and unethical business practices. He has been working behind my back with Elio Khalife to swindle this team from under my very own nose. Joe Newman was contacted by Orlando this morning advising that I had moved the team to Phoenix, which is a lie. He goes onto to say Elio advised him to contact Joe. I met with Elio yesterday and advised him that I would consider things and get back to him, so there was no reason for Orlando to contact Joe. No one can represent the AZ Rhinos but me, I have sacrificed and worked myself to almost nothing for this team and I have been reduced to financial rubble. But I have always maintained my word and I do owe some people but I am working to pay that small debt and I appreciate their understanding. I cannot be shaken, I cannot be bought, I cannot be ran away because I am a child of God and I do "right" by people. It may not be what they like, but I am open, honest as possible and I treat people with compassion and respect. Elio told me my business is a failure and I'm telling him and the world. "Everyone can critique and criticize something they can not or did not do. My business has been a blessing to and for others and No matter what he and other "nay sayers" think. "I don't need to sell my team, we are just fine"....... And next year will be even better!

Truth be told, Orlando has ran up a 4,000.00 plus hotel bill with the Residence Inn off of Highway 69, he created a hostile situation with Cliff Washington and Johnnie Hardwick resulting in both being asked to leave the team. He presented himself to undermine my authority and do things uncharacteristic of my mission and purpose and it made me unable to face the town of Prescott Valley. I NEVER ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT ELIO IN ATTEMPTS TO SELL MY TEAM. I am a small business owner that tries to do right by people and because I am a woman, I have ran into numerous people that want to take advantage of me. I have a big heart and I try to help people. But this season has been very difficult for me. But what I promise to do is bring basketball back to Prescott and/or Prescott Valley. Feb. 9 and 13 we will host an ABA All STAR GAME to honor our fans...... All games will be 10.00 per person and we will have some special NBA guests so don't miss out! We are coming to local schools as any request, so request us and we are coming!

Kisha Spellman

Mr. Woolridge's response:
http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=152003

Ms. Spellman's rebuttal:
http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=152159

And a letter from the Residence Inn concerning an overdue team bill:
http://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.asp?NewsID=152158

[Sam Hill]

I'm beginning to wonder if maybe Joe Newman lets some people be owners in his basketball league who don't have the finanancial wherewithal to actually run a business that needs to spend a certain amount of money. I'm also beginning to think that there are some people in ownership positions who didn't pay attention in English class.

Nah, who am I kidding? A pro basketball league wouldn't do that.

[CHris902]

So does this mean that Nashville will not be hosting the ABA all-star game? uhhhh.. Is this happening tomorrow? What's going on?

[Paul S]

I don't even know who to believe in this 'Keisha vs Orlando' public relations nightmare.

Keishas says Orlando is asking for cash only as he doesn't want to pay child support (why would you agree to that also? Did you give him a 1040?)

Orlando says Keisha is broke and lying. (why would you work for an ABA team if you didn't want to associate with flat broke owners?)


The most telling thing is letter asking for payment specifically questions why nobody approached the hotel about sponsorship........... I've never seen a letter threatening court action unless funds are sent also drop in a paragraph about sponsorship. The ABA is inept that they simply booked these rooms and never asked for a reduced rate, never asked for a quid pro quo, never asked for a sponsorship.


Hey Joe - In your ABA operations manual that you claim will take anyone with 10k into a successful career in basketball operations maybe put in a paragraph about getting sponsors.

[arizonacub]

This is unbelievable. Judging by English skills alone, I'd have to side with Orlando, as Keisha has some interesting improvised spellings for words. Imagine the first day of training camp when the owner comes in and tells you, "geez, we should wait another year until I actually can support this team monetarily, but I'm glad you're here to be the forefront of my baseless operation!" ..... Even if a businessman did buy the Rhinos to keep them in Prescott, I still think the cost and hassle of switching Tim's Toyota Center from ice to hardwood would be too much.

[Sam Hill]

Okay, if there is a businessman in Prescott wanting to buy them or a new ABA franchise, the question is.....why? Why on earth would you do that?