Wilmington Out?

[Minor League Man]

Saw this little tidbit in an article about the Lancaster Liberty/GPBL...

http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/239407

"There is significant interest in York, Augusta, Ga. and Orlando. Wilmington, N.C. already has a team, but is without a league, and is looking to join the GPBL soon."

So, are the Sea Dawgs out, or is this just another semi-pro team trying to latch on and steal their thunder?

(maybe Chris can help me out here)

P.S. Could the Augusta team be the Groove? (I know that's been hinted at)

[psbf]

For whatever reason, maybe the writer does not know about the PBL as I can't imagine the Seadogs leaving the PBL.
From what I know of the GPBL, I'm not really impressed. I've barely heard anything about the local team here, the Phantoms, who have apparently conducted a tryout for players but don't even have a website up yet(although I was told that they will soon). Last time I checked, they were still working off of the league website. Maybe I'm expecting too much too soon, but they start in January. After watching the Xplosion take shape, I do have high standards of what I feel should be taking place.

[LightningMan]

Saw this little tidbit in an article about the Lancaster Liberty/GPBL...

http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/239407

"There is significant interest in York, Augusta, Ga. and Orlando. Wilmington, N.C. already has a team, but is without a league, and is looking to join the GPBL soon."

So, are the Sea Dawgs out, or is this just another semi-pro team trying to latch on and steal their thunder?

(maybe Chris can help me out here)

P.S. Could the Augusta team be the Groove? (I know that's been hinted at)
Someone else indicated that the Sea Dawgs might be out of the PBL (calling me out in the process).

[LightningMan]

For whatever reason, maybe the writer does not know about the PBL as I can't imagine the Sea Dawgs leaving the PBL.
I can. For starters, the nearest team to them now that Reading, Maryland, and Augusta are all gone is Rochester. Through no fault of their own, they are almost as far away from everyone as Halifax, farther for some people.

[psbf]

That's true, LM. I was thinking about the fan support of the Seadogs, I forgot about your nearest opponents. I hope Wilmington does join the GPBL, though and I hope the league makes more news in the near future.

[misenern]

I can. For starters, the nearest team to them now that Reading, Maryland, and Augusta are all gone is Rochester. Through no fault of their own, they are almost as far away from everyone as Halifax, farther for some people.

And the league basically threatened to kick the Rainmen out, untill Halifax offered to cover even more of the travel costs. Maybe Wilmington wasn't willing to do the same. But who knows untill we get some more solid news.

[formerlyknownasfells]

For the record, I was misquoted in the article. I mentioned we were interested in Wilmington as I had heard through multiple sources they had left the PBL, but no formal discussions have occurred.

Also, it was stated Andrew Haines is the majority owner of the Lancaster Liberty. Andrew has no association with the Liberty as he is the Chief Consultant for the GBPL. It is in our by-laws that a member of the league's administration cannot be the owner of a GPBL team.

[basketball facts]

I said it before and I now again- Wilmington is out

[sonnie20]

For the record, I was misquoted in the article. I mentioned we were interested in Wilmington as I had heard through multiple sources they had left the PBL, but no formal discussions have occurred.

Also, it was stated Andrew Haines is the majority owner of the Lancaster Liberty. Andrew has no association with the Liberty as he is the Chief Consultant for the GBPL. It is in our by-laws that a member of the league's administration cannot be the owner of a GPBL team.

Thats a great by-law as other leagues should do the same and I heard Wilmington was out at least three weeks ago.

[not so fast]

Well, do we know, how many actual active teams are now in the PBL, and I got to think there are teams that may be still question marks?

[sonnie20]

I'm pretty sure Rochester is in............just kidding. maybe two more years of teams being kicked out or quitting and this league will be finito. Go GPBL.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Heck, Wilmington is in a better position now than they were when they were in the PBL. Now they are free to write their own ticket...no pun intended, although Wilmington no longer has to worry about giving away tickets to fill the stands for PBL telecasts. Wilmington is free to dictate terms to potential leagues because Wilmington can point to their track record.

Halifax is the team in deep do-do. Their expenses went up automatically and they're still slaves to the PBL's desires. What's the over and under on THIS franchise lasting more than another season?

[CHris902]

Halifax is the team in deep do-do. Their expenses went up automatically and they're still slaves to the PBL's desires. What's the over and under on THIS franchise lasting more than another season?
Not to come across as defensive, but do you have anything to back this up? Halifax operated in the black this year (which is only year two) and by all accounts are continuing to do well on the sponsorship and season ticket front. The Rainmen are far from perfect but I think that they're one of the more financially stable minor league basketball teams in operation right now.

Perhaps you have some sort of factual information that I'm missing?

[wellington]

Not to come across as defensive, but do you have anything to back this up? Halifax operated in the black this year (which is only year two) and by all accounts are continuing to do well on the sponsorship and season ticket front. The Rainmen are far from perfect but I think that they're one of the more financially stable minor league basketball teams in operation right now.

Perhaps you have some sort of factual information that I'm missing?

Not speaking for him, but maybe Ken is talking about the importance of staying on the PBL's 'good' side. Halifax has been a huge success off the court (and a real bright spot in minor league basketball), but look at what happened this past year... The league was considering not inviting them back because of travel concerns. That is a legitimate consideration, but the way it was handled raised some eyebrows (not putting all the blame on the PBL, but they came across fairly harsh in their treatment of the Rainmen). Even this season, the handling of the championship game and the departure of BC suggests that teams no matter who they are better stay on the league's good side. If not, don't let the door hit you on the way out. The invitation only aspect of the PBL has pluses and minuses. It's nice that there is no franchise fee, but likewise a team could quickly find itself out in the cold if the league so chooses not to 'invite' a team back.

[not so fast]

Lightning man, you are a clear insider to Wilmington, and you have been a big supporter of the pbl. I have yet to hear you articulate why the wilmington team has left the pbl, at least in your words.

[psbf]

I would have loved to have heard questions like this when my team was around.

[not so fast]

psbf, in your own words, can you articulate why your pittsburgh team is not playing, and are they going to join the pbl? (i feel like oprah)

[LightningMan]

Lightning man, you are a clear insider to Wilmington, and you have been a big supporter of the PBL. I have yet to hear you articulate why the Wilmington team has left the PBL, at least in your words.
This, NSF, is just not true. I am a fan. I go to games. That's it. I know no one in the organization personally. I only talk to people who work for the team at the game or to order my tickets.

Next, I have supported the PBL, but only to the extent that I was not / am not down on them in areas some others are. I have criticized their vetting of teams, noting that either the one win Buffalo Stampede or defunct Arkansas Impact are easily the best PBL-only teams in the history of the circuit. I criticized the championship change. I brought the Groove's hotel bill trouble to the fore.

And finally if they have left, I have actually mentioned my theory why in this thread: they are now flying distance from the entire rest of the league. In the first year they had Maryland, Reading, and Jacksonville at least somewhat close. Last year they had Augusta. This year, they will have no one closer than Buffalo or Rochester. The league ran away from them. And if the league went after them for money like they did Halifax, then it makes sense that they bolt.

[not so fast]

Well, I thought that guy formallyknownas said that Wilmington is in his league, and I thought he was the pbl radio guy or something. (I am so confused)

Can somebody clarify for me without me having to go through and read hundreds of posts?

[formerlyknownasfells]

Well, I thought that guy formallyknownas said that Wilmington is in his league, and I thought he was the pbl radio guy or something. (I am so confused)

Can somebody clarify for me without me having to go through and read hundreds of posts?

To clarify, I was misquoted in an article in a Lancaster, PA paper. I told the writer that I had heard Wilmington was out of the PBL and would be interested in talking to them. I did not tell the writer that Wilmington was in the league.

We have not had any discussions with Sea Dawgs management at this time.

[not so fast]

thank you for responding, and please excuse my ignorance, but who is we?

[formerlyknownasfells]

thank you for responding, and please excuse my ignorance, but who is we?

Sorry about that. "We" is the Global Professional Basketball League. (GPBL)

[psbf]

What I'd like to know is why have I not heard anything of the GPBL, outside of their website(which was out of commission last I checked which was this morning)?

[formerlyknownasfells]

What I'd like to know is why have I not heard anything of the GPBL, outside of their website(which was out of commission last I checked which was this morning)?

I just heard about the website and Andrew is working on it right now. It should be back up when the hosting company fixes a couple of things. (Yes, the bill is paid.)

As far as coverage, we have had I believe four articles run in papers around Pittsburgh and the paper in Lancaster. We also had some good press from the paper in Barberton, OH. We are working on getting on US Basket but that has been a very slow process.

[psbf]

About the website, thanks formerly, I'll keep checking back.

As far as the articles, I've been checking both Pgh papers and I've not seen anything on the league or the team.

[psbf]

by the way, formerly known, I believe it when you say that that local papers around here have articles. But I think more attention would be drawn if they included both city papers.

[not so fast]

Can someone tell me why this league (GPBL) is being formed when these teams it seems to me, could easily join the PBL?

I just checked out their website, it looks like it is truly going to start this season, but why?

How do they differ from the PBL?

[psbf]

NSF, I have to admit, I've been wondering that myself. I'm not hearing much movement from that league. And the fact that the Pgh. Phantoms are supposed to be a semi pro team also leaves me disappointed.

[wellington]

Can someone tell me why this league (GPBL) is being formed when these teams it seems to me, could easily join the PBL?


It's human nature. For starters, everyone thinks they can do it better. But most importantly, it's more fun being the boss of your own league -- it's easier giving orders than taking orders. That probably has a lot to do with it -- along with back room politics, ego, etc. This has been going on with indoor soccer for years now... NPSL, MISL, NISL, PASL, XSL...

[Precious Roy]

About the website, thanks formerly, I'll keep checking back.

As far as the articles, I've been checking both Pgh papers and I've not seen anything on the league or the team.

Hate to say this, but you likely won't get much news from the town metro papers on this. When the X were going strong, I tried to get stuff from the metro papers on the games, and they almost laughed me off the phone.
My guess is if it's not Big 4, then they just take what's off the sites and make it brief.
But I may be wrong.

[psbf]

P.R., I'm surprised that you had problems getting any info on the X when they were strong. I have many news clippings from their first Year. It's after that, when they switched leagues, when the coverage stopped. But I long for their strongest year again.