PBL conference call !! Monday

[a1sports]

Finally someone e-mailed me a code to call in..thank you.


VERY INTERESTING CALL !!

1. The Doc talked about being in las Vegas at a TV convention and said that the PBL sports network..@sportsTV...is being picked up by affiliates.
2. They are signing more sponsors....you can see the number of sposnsors is increasing as you watch their internet boadcast.
3.>>>>>> Then Doyle said....They are throwing out a team today for not meeting requirements...its Montreal and they have teams from other leagues that have applied and they will make announcement wed.
4>.>>> Doyle and the doc also said....Anyone that cant perfrom tell us now and leave because if we hear about problems after wed, then you will be sued. Dont jeapordize the TV deal and everything else, we are all partners in this.
Said they have no problem dropping to 10 GOOD teams NOW, so live up to your agreements and paper work you sent in.
Lost call on cell phone,..................so thats all I got

[Jimmytwotimes]

Thats a good sign that they are very serious about making this league work. I wonder what Montreal did to get kicked out?

[CHris902]

So will Montreal be kicked out mid-season? If so is the replacement team the Matrix?

[Alumni96]

I'm not sure what to think about this. I'm curious what it will do to the schedule? Do they drop teams or let in a replacement team? Maybe East Kentucky comes in and the divisions are realigned?

[heavesrock]

It doesn't make much sense to kick a team out of the league in mid-season, but I guess we'll see.

[Minor League Legend]

If anybody knows what the PBL plans to do with Montreal's remaining games, please post here.

[Paul S]

Just conjecture here................but Albany or the Montreal Matrix would be a good fit geographically to replace the departing Sasquatch.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

I wouldn't think it would be Albany; Coyne is Joe's new BFF.

Although it would be hysterical to see Albany bolt to the PBL after arranging the ABA/CBA games, then ripping the quality of the play in the ABA.

Maybe the worst thing Joe did to himself was expose how poor the quality of play really is in the ABA by actually playing against another league. - and getting smoked in the process.

He always spewed crap about competing against an NBA team, but since those games would never take place, we were only able to rip him on conjecture alone. Now, the CBA has shown how wide the gap truly is between the ABA and the next rung.

It's possible that Albany may want to move up in class (or laterally, depending upon your view of the level of play).

If they do, it would be a h-u-g-e kick in the rectum for that rec league.

[misenern]

What a stupid, stupid, move to kick a team out mid-season. Very unprofessional.

[bdaly]

The timing is interesting, given the CBA's demise. Albany would make some sense, although I agree it's a long shot given their "relationship" with the PBL. It'll be interesting.

This is never a good thing, though. Kicking them out may or may not be professional depending on what they did. If the league can find a way to keep them in Montreal (whether it be by working with those from the Matrix or by doing it themselves), that would beat the alternatives. They ran two teams last season instead of "folding" them.

In my last long-winded post, I was going to get into how I felt the PBL let in a handful of teams it probably wouldn't have otherwise to fill out its geography in season one, and I get the feeling that's the case with two teams this season. The core of teams is stronger which is a great sign, but hopefully come next season, there won't have to be any compromises.

[not so fast]

One thing looks to be certain. this will be the last season for the throwbacks and these struggling midwest teams. It appears that albany has no other option if it wants to play but the pbl. and if that happens, and other potential east coast franchises, along with the current east canandian and northeastern teams, there will be no need to travel to detroit or chicago, to win by 30 in front of 80 fans.

I think battle creek who is doing a terrific job as an organization, is going to have no one to play unless they do a lot of traveling, or they may have to go back to the ibl.

Man what has happened to Gary, Rockford, Quad cities, Elgin, Elkhart, and all these one time pretty sucessful markets? Is minorleague basketball dead in the midwest?

[SignGuyDino]

I'll play Devil's Advocate and say it's not NECESSARILY bad to kick a team out mid-season IF:

1. It is very infrequent.
2. The team did violate their contract with the arena and/or league.

Maybe they're following that McCain line, "I'll make him famous," as a warning to potential suitors to join that they don't mess around, a deal is a deal, things don't slide.


We'll see.....

[Sam Hill]

What a stupid, stupid, move to kick a team out mid-season. Very unprofessional.

You don't know the reasons yet.

[Pounder]

Most leagues- performance bond ensures that an ownership can be kicked out without the team necessarily dying with it. That protects the schedule and the fans.

If Montreal is indeed kicked out, I'd find that telling... perhaps.

If subsidized travel (if there's an annual franchise fee, is it really subsidized?) trumps market "solid-ness," I've got to wonder.

Of course, waiting for the actual announcements.

[Sam Hill]

Of course, waiting for the actual announcements.

You don't trust Nostradamus of the Wiretap?

[panchess]

I could see Lawton-Fort Sill leaving the CBA, as they have some money and an organization.

East Kentucky doesn't have any money, unless Jay decides to open up the pursestrings for a new league.

Minot has been silent. I think they are gone.

The Pats haven't given any indication about moving. I doubt they will go this year.

[Sam Hill]

Today's Wednesday, right?

[The Sweeper]

Today's Wednesday, right?

But, Nostradamus never said what week.

[CHris902]

Service Temporarily Unavailable

The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to maintenance downtime or capacity problems. Please try again later. (http://www.montrealsasquatch.com/)

Completely meaningless or a sign of the end of days (or at least end of Sasquatch). I don't like what is going on here.

The arena's website also lists the games as canceled (I think) :
Québec Kebs Vs. Montréal Sasquatch
Premier Basketball League
Match de basketball.
Le 6 février 2009
Promoteur : M. Réal Bourassa
Match Annulé. (http://www.cpierre-charbonneau.com/affiche.php?showsecteur=16)

As much as I hate to admit it - A1 was right. I wonder what the PBL will do now?
I really feel like they dropped the ball on vetting this ownership group and their business plan. It seemed from the get go that this franchise was one of the weaker ones.

edit: Nevermind, the website is back up. Arena still lists game as canceled, though.

[tbayz1]

Their website just worked fine for me.

[CHris902]

Yup - it went back online right after I posted that... the arena website has not changed though. But give it time - if there's a way for me to look like a fool the universe will make it happen.

[Sam Hill]

As much as I hate to admit it - A1 was right.

Entirely possible - wouldn't be the first time.

Again, it's less about the information and more about the delivery.

That said, they did not announce it yesterday.

[LightningMan]

I'm wondering if why it hasn't been announced is because they're trying to find a cheaper venue for the team to finish out the year.

[CHris902]

The owner told the person who runs the Sasquatch facebook group that the team has folded and she confirmed that players have already been released and are leaving Montreal. The Sasquatch are done.

[CHris902]

Confirmation from the league: (http://pblproball.com/news/leaguenews/index.html?article_id=470)

PBL Makes Decision to Remove Montreal
02/05/2009 9:15 AM
Chicago, Ill... The Premier Basketball League announced to today it has made the decision to terminate the membership rights of the Montreal Sasquatch ownership group.

"While it is not a decision we like to make, it is in the best interest of the PBL and all of the other PBL teams. As the owners are aware we have a zero tolerance policy for any team that does not comply with PBL rules and regulations. We have made great strides to establish a top quality league and we will not have the value of our league and members affected by any organization that fails to meet minimum requirements." stated Thomas Doyle CEO of the PBL.

"We have a very focused business objective and as we have informed all of our team owners we expect that teams are candid with us concerning the operation of their teams. We will not tolerate players not being paid and if such a situation arises the PBL will act swiftly against any organization that violates this minimum requirement" added Doyle.

"The PBL has been fortunate to establish a strong position in the basketball world in a very short period of time. Our television, Internet and mobile broadcast deal with @SPORTSTV, soon to be announced broadcast initiatives with China and several other countries has not only elevated the profile of the PBL but increased the value of our PBL teams." indicated Dr. Sev Hrywnak Chairman of the Board for the PBL.

"We still believe that Montreal can be a great city for PBL basketball and will consider the applications from interested ownership groups that we have received. The great success of our teams in Quebec City and Halifax have shown how popular PBL basketball is in Canada." added Hrywnak.

"There will be no effect on the other PBL teams with the removal of the Sasquatch. All teams will play the 20 game schedule. We will announce our agenda for all matters relating to this situation very soon." stated Doyle. "The PBL, though under no obligation to do so, has already begun the process of determining what monies are owed to players and will handle that situation directly" indicated Doyle.

For more information please visit www.pblproball.com or contact the PBL league office at 773-844-PBL1

[LightningMan]

Well, it's nice to know the league does consider paying its players part of the requirements of ownership. The Bigfeet were supposed to come here (Wilmington) later. I wonder who we'll get instead.

[misenern]

The league should have not let these guys in in the first place. Top-tier minor leagues don't have teams replaced midseason. If the PBL wants to be considered an elite league they can't have things like this happening. Montreal looked messy from the start, even we could see that.

[LightningMan]

Montreal looked messy from the start, even we could see that.
Did we really, though? I just checked the prediction thread and the only person to predict Montreal would be first out was, well, me, and only after I said my original prediction was none.

[CHris902]

Well, it's nice to know the league does consider paying its players part of the requirements of ownership. The Bigfeet were supposed to come here (Wilmington) later. I wonder who we'll get instead.

Hopefully there will be a home and away with Halifax. I'd love to see KD back in the MetroCentre and I think the front courts of the two teams would match up for a really good game.

[turbocamyes]

Ugghh. I was planning on attending the 2/20 game at Manchester—I’m driving 800 miles from NC to Portsmouth and thought I’d finally get a chance to see the Millrats. (I moved from NH to NC 6 months before they started.) I seem to be the kiss of death. I caught only 1 game of the Storm before they folded and now the Sas’quatch.

[SasquatchFan01]

The owner told the person who runs the Sasquatch facebook group that the team has folded and she confirmed that players have already been released and are leaving Montreal. The Sasquatch are done.

Actually, what I said was that the players have already had to move out of the hotel the team had put them up in... as for where they're going from here, I know one is planning to stick around Montreal for awhile but I haven't had a chance to speak to the others yet.

[CHris902]

Actually, what I said was that the players have already had to move out of the hotel the team had put them up in... as for where they're going from here, I know one is planning to stick around Montreal for awhile but I haven't had a chance to speak to the others yet.

Sorry about misquoting you on that one. I really hope something comes together for the players and the fans. Maybe the Matrix can step in and fill in some of the games?

[SasquatchFan01]

Sorry about misquoting you on that one. I really hope something comes together for the players and the fans. Maybe the Matrix can step in and fill in some of the games?

No problem.

I hope something does too... for some of the players, it's the 4th season in a row they've been burned.

I think the Matrix has been suggested.... I'm reaching out to their owner to see what's going on, but haven't heard anything so far.

That'll help fans and the PBL, but it won't help the Sasquat'ch players - as far as I know, the Matrix has a full roster. They were expecting to play in the ABA but because of all the northeastern defections to the PBL there weren't really a lot of opponents, so they never got a schedule from the ABA (or at least, I guess, not one the owner found worth playing?).... but they're still around, and just played 4 exhibition games with Streetball Legends and AND1

so... anything's possible.

[nhamilton88]

I am surprised a team is not making it in Montreal. Canada...ESPECIALLY Montreal has always proven to be a hot bed for hoops. Look at the players they have produced for the NBA? There is, ahhhhh, there is...hold on a second...what about....ahhhh...OK, well look at how well pro basketball has done in Montreal? Look at.....ahhh, there is.....wait a minute, what about.......

Basketball in Montreal??? Please. And people wonder why minor league teams fail. Montreal? Hawaii? Alaska? South Dakota? North Dakota? WTF.

[CHris902]

Look at the players they have produced for the NBA? There is, ahhhhh, there is...hold on a second...what about....ahhhh...
Samuel Dalembert and Joel Anthony are both from Montreal... so 50% of the total number of Canucks currently in the NBA are from Montreal.

That said, I think Montreal has proven to be a pretty weak minor league hoops market although I suspect it has as much to do with being more a major league town (or minor league fans being drawn to hockey) as with people not being drawn to basketball.

[SasquatchFan01]

That said, I think Montreal has proven to be a pretty weak minor league hoops market although I suspect it has as much to do with being more a major league town (or minor league fans being drawn to hockey) as with people not being drawn to basketball.

A big part of it is hockey... but there ARE basketball fans in this city. The problems over the past 4 seasons are (a)the media here thinks sports other than hockey (and to a smaller extent, the football and soccer) need to pay for media coverage (b)the owners have fixated on a poor location and (c)owners have been unwilling to pay to advertise, or have called off advertising deals only a few weeks into the season

so the people who ARE interested don't know there's a team, and don't like dragging themselves out to arena if they DO know

you also end up with a new owner who's saddled with all the old owners' mistakes - sponsors don't want to deal with them, the media thinking the teams are a joke so are even less willing to cover them (I've actually had the sports editor of a major Montreal paper tell me that, essentially, he won't print a word about the team because the ABA is a joke - not sure what his excuse was this season with the PBL, since he ignored all the emails I sent him with team press releases), and fans who are so tired of showing up to find a game cancelled that they don't bother buying tickets anymore

[psbf]

Maybe the next Montreal pro Basketball team owners should follow the example of the Montreal Impact(USLD1) who average more than 12,000 per game at Saputo Stadium, and are expecting more than 35,000 at Olympic Stadium for the upcoming CONCACAF games?!

[The Sweeper]

Well, I do know that the Sasquatch/Royal/Matrix played most of their games at the Pierre Charbonneau Centre, which is right next door to the Olympic Stadium. I don't think they would have a prayer of playing in the Bell Centre, either (been there, prefer The Forum).

Don't think the Olympic Stadium is used much anymore. With the Expos moving to Washington, and the Alouettes (the former Baltimore CFL Colts) playing most of their games at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

you also end up with a new owner who's saddled with all the old owners' mistakes - sponsors don't want to deal with them, the media thinking the teams are a joke so are even less willing to cover them (I've actually had the sports editor of a major Montreal paper tell me that, essentially, he won't print a word about the team because the ABA is a joke - not sure what his excuse was this season with the PBL, since he ignored all the emails I sent him with team press releases), and fans who are so tired of showing up to find a game cancelled that they don't bother buying tickets anymore

Maybe the media caught wind of that well-staged, but whack PBL draft and figured all minor league hoops are about the same.

Actually, it's simple. There's nothing minor league about Montreal--from the annual Montreal Jazz Festival to the beautiful people that populate its nightlife always. Sigh!

[LightningMan]

Maybe the media caught wind of that well-staged, but whack PBL draft and figured all minor league hoops are about the same.
Ken, the only person outside of the PBL who cared pro or con about that draft is you.

[basketball facts]

I care. And it was stupid. A farce. Smoke and mirrors. Trying to make something out of nothing. A sham

[LightningMan]

I care.
Okay. Why do you care?

[Chuck the Writer]

A big part of it is hockey... but there ARE basketball fans in this city. The problems over the past 4 seasons are (a)the media here thinks sports other than hockey (and to a smaller extent, the football and soccer) need to pay for media coverage (b)the owners have fixated on a poor location and (c)owners have been unwilling to pay to advertise, or have called off advertising deals only a few weeks into the season

so the people who ARE interested don't know there's a team, and don't like dragging themselves out to arena if they DO know

you also end up with a new owner who's saddled with all the old owners' mistakes - sponsors don't want to deal with them, the media thinking the teams are a joke so are even less willing to cover them (I've actually had the sports editor of a major Montreal paper tell me that, essentially, he won't print a word about the team because the ABA is a joke - not sure what his excuse was this season with the PBL, since he ignored all the emails I sent him with team press releases), and fans who are so tired of showing up to find a game cancelled that they don't bother buying tickets anymore

All that being said, I am going to miss going to Sasquat'ch games at Centre Pierre-Charbonneau. Hopefully I will be able to attend some future Montreal PBL basketball games in that building in the future.

[CHris902]

Maybe the next Montreal pro Basketball team owners should follow the example of the Montreal Impact(USLD1) who average more than 12,000 per game at Saputo Stadium, and are expecting more than 35,000 at Olympic Stadium for the upcoming CONCACAF games?!

I wonder if a minor league basketball team playing in the summer would be more successful. The Impact have the huge advantage of not competing directly with hockey.

[tops804]

All that being said, I am going to miss going to Sasquat'ch games at Centre Pierre-Charbonneau. Hopefully I will be able to attend some future Montreal PBL basketball games in that building in the future.

It should be interesting to see how anxious the PBL is to get back into already
burned markets.

What bothers me about the Sasquatch is that they were announced over a
year in advance. With all of that advanced planning, you would expect a
better outcome.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Ken, the only person outside of the PBL who cared pro or con about that draft is you.

...but wasn't the draft staged (heavy emphasis on staged) to attract sponsors?!? Didn't you say so yourself? Sponsors are outside of the PBL, right?

...and how do you know I'm the only person outside of the PBL who cared about the draft?!? If so, then you've proved my original point about the draft. It should have been held in an actual PBL town. An actual town with actual PBL fans where maybe a few more people (including the media) would have taken interest in this show of shows.

...and if I'm the only person, then what does that say about PBL fans (or the lack thereof)? I just read a press release about Battle Creek winning eight straight. No mention of attendance again.

[LightningMan]

...but wasn't the draft staged (heavy emphasis on staged) to attract sponsors?!? Didn't you say so yourself? Sponsors are outside of the PBL, right?
Yes, and did it work? No. Didn't you say so yourself?

...and how do you know I'm the only person outside of the PBL who cared about the draft?!?
I don't. And Basketball Facts says he cares. I do not know why either of you care.

If so, then you've proved my original point about the draft.
Which one?

It should have been held in an actual PBL town.

It was. No one in Chicago cares, but there is a PBL team there.

An actual town with actual PBL fans where maybe a few more people (including the media) would have taken interest in this show of shows.
It wouldn't have had the desired effect. Of course, doing in a media center such as Chicago didn't have the desired effect either.

...and if I'm the only person, then what does that say about PBL fans (or the lack thereof)? I just read a press release about Battle Creek winning eight straight. No mention of attendance again.
It says that fans don't care about fake drafts and fans don't care about attendance numbers and, if the numbers are low in Battle Creek in actuality, then Battle Creek fans don't care about the Knights.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Like Montreal, there is nothing minor league about Chicago. That's why I said actual PBL town. The Chicago media is not going to cover a minor league hoops team. That's why I also don't understand the Throwbacks' reason for being. Their venue location, only blocks from the United Center is the most puzzling...well, it really isn't all that puzzling. It's all about bragging rights when giving directions to their venue:

"We're a few blocks down and a couple of blocks over from the United Center. You know...where the Bulls play."

[SasquatchFan01]

I wonder if a minor league basketball team playing in the summer would be more successful. The Impact have the huge advantage of not competing directly with hockey.

sadly, probably not... they'd have to compete with about a dozen festivals, and people traveling (I'd be their biggest fan and I'd miss about half the season)

The Impact's big advantage is that (and I'll be very cynical here) the Saputo name gets them a lot of coverage.

We had another wonderful email chat with my favourite newspaper sports editor here, who claims their paper does extensive readership polling to discover that almost nobody cares about basketball or baseball, which is why he covers neither... although it seems to me they cover the NBA almost daily, even though we don't have a team, and baseball was definitely covered extensively before the Expos died.

[SasquatchFan01]

Confirmation from the league: (http://pblproball.com/news/leaguenews/index.html?article_id=470)


PBL Makes Decision to Remove Montreal
02/05/2009 9:15 AM
Chicago, Ill... The Premier Basketball League announced to today it has made the decision to terminate the membership rights of the Montreal Sasquatch ownership group.

"While it is not a decision we like to make, it is in the best interest of the PBL and all of the other PBL teams. As the owners are aware we have a zero tolerance policy for any team that does not comply with PBL rules and regulations. We have made great strides to establish a top quality league and we will not have the value of our league and members affected by any organization that fails to meet minimum requirements." stated Thomas Doyle CEO of the PBL.

"We have a very focused business objective and as we have informed all of our team owners we expect that teams are candid with us concerning the operation of their teams. We will not tolerate players not being paid and if such a situation arises the PBL will act swiftly against any organization that violates this minimum requirement" added Doyle.

"The PBL has been fortunate to establish a strong position in the basketball world in a very short period of time. Our television, Internet and mobile broadcast deal with @SPORTSTV, soon to be announced broadcast initiatives with China and several other countries has not only elevated the profile of the PBL but increased the value of our PBL teams." indicated Dr. Sev Hrywnak Chairman of the Board for the PBL.

"We still believe that Montreal can be a great city for PBL basketball and will consider the applications from interested ownership groups that we have received. The great success of our teams in Quebec City and Halifax have shown how popular PBL basketball is in Canada." added Hrywnak.

"There will be no effect on the other PBL teams with the removal of the Sasquatch. All teams will play the 20 game schedule. We will announce our agenda for all matters relating to this situation very soon." stated Doyle. "The PBL, though under no obligation to do so, has already begun the process of determining what monies are owed to players and will handle that situation directly" indicated Doyle.

For more information please visit www.pblproball.com or contact the PBL league office at 773-844-PBL1

2 parts of this press release are bothering me... the first is where Mr.Doyle is quoted saying "We have a very focused business objective and as we have informed all of our team owners we expect that teams are candid with us concerning the operation of their teams. We will not tolerate players not being paid and if such a situation arises the PBL will act swiftly against any organization that violates this minimum requirement"

One of the players told me recently that the league knew before the start of the season that sponsors had pulled out and Bourassa would not have the necessary funds for the season. Apparently the league told Bourassa that they would put money into the club account so Bourassa could pay the players, but the money never materialized and the paycheques bounced.

The second is that where Mr.Doyle is quoted saying "The PBL, though under no obligation to do so, has already begun the process of determining what monies are owed to players and will handle that situation directly" ... he seems to imply that the league was planning to pay the players at least part of what they're owd.... but the players who were not picked up by other teams during the dispersal draft were NOT contacted by the league, and at least one player who tried to contact the league has not had his calls returned.

Looks like what the league says in public and what they actually do are two very different things... yup, sounds like a nice responsible league to me.

[CHris902]

Didn't you already post this exact same thing word for word before?

[Zadmin]

yes I did....on the CBA forum I think but not the PBL?or maybe don't recall.....really want to see this idea spread...or if nothing else get people talking.....won't do it again