AAPBL Conducts dispersal draft from CBA and NBDL Rosters

[minorleagueball]

Does Christie honestly think these guys will leave their CBA or NBDL teams to play in the AAPBL? He's flauting his money but what is he gonna do when he finds out about the reality of minor league basketball and teams only draw 400-600 a game? Good luck.............

AAPBL Conducts dispersal draft from CBA and NBDL Rosters
07/16/05 - All American Professional Basketball League (AAPBL)
(Billings, MT) - Today, All American Professional Basketball League conducted a dispersal draft of players from the CBA and NBDL leagues.

2004-05 All-CBA Player of the Year Sam Clancy of the Idaho Stampede was first draft pick by the AAPBL's Mankato Mallards. Second pick was Britton Johnsen to the Hutchinson BallHogs. Mike Moten, coach of the Butte Bandits, chose Booby Lazor as number 3. The top 3 draft picks all hail from the CBA.

The coaches of each of the 10 AAPBL teams will follow up with their draft picks by phone or by letter and will retain right of first refusal through the 2005-2006 season.

"AAPBL is a topnotch league paying top dollar to our players," said Worth Christie, President and CEO of AAPBL. "There's no doubt we'll be pulling players from other leagues. Everyone is going to want to play with us."

Following is a list of the dispersal draft picks:

BILLINGS RIMS
Jackie Butler (CBA)
Toshiro Germany (CBA)
Randy Livingston (CBA)
Kasib Powell (CBA)
Chad Prewitt (CBA)
Alhaji Mohammed (CBA)
DeSean Hadley (CBA)
Doug Overton (CBA)

BUTTE BANDITS
Bobby Lazor (CBA)
Donald Williams (CBA)
Patrick Okafor (CBA)
Brian Lubeck (CBA)
Darrin Hancock (CBA)
LeRoy Hurd (NBDL)
George Williams (NBDL)
Byron Mouton (NBDL)

GREAT FALLS COWBOYS
Carlos Daniel (CBA)
Maurice Spillers (CBA)
Kevin Sweetwyne (CBA)
David Jackson (NBDL)
Ronald Blacksheer (NBDL)
Gary Hill-Thomas (NBDL)
Miah Davis (NBDL)

HUTCHINSON BALLHOGS
Britton Johnsen (CBA)
Adam Parada (NBDL)
Casey Sanders (CBA)
Melvin Sanders (CBA)
Lazarus Sims (CBA)
Reggie Jordan (CBA)
Cordell Henry (CBA)
Derrick Zimmerman (NBDL)

LINCOLN GENERALS
Stais Boseman (CBA)
Jermaine Walker (CBA)
Reed Rawlings (NBDL)
Keith Closs (CBA)
Marshall Phillips (CBA)
DeeAndre Hulett (CBA)
Livan Pyfrom (CBA)
Omar Cook (NBDL)

MANKATO MALLARDS
Sam Clancy (CBA)
Ramel Curry (NBDL)
Andre McCullough
Shawn Daniels (CBA)
Sam Cook

MINOT MINUTEMEN
Charles Gaines (CBA)
Alpha Bangura (CBA)
Brad Buddenborg (CBA)
Jerome Beasley (NBDL)
Austin Nichols (NBDL)
Seth Doliboa (NBDL)
Kitwana Rhymer (NBDL)
Sam Mack (CBA)

TOPEKA TORNADO
Billy Thomas (CBA)
Lawrence Nelson (CBA)
Wayne Turner (CBA)
Derek Grimm (CBA)
Lonnie Jones (CBA)
Juaquin Hawkins (NBDL)
Louis White (CBA)

WICHITA BOMBERS
Jarrod Gee (CBA)
Bryant Notree (CBA)
Julius Page (CBA)
Romeo Augustine (NBDL)
David Young (NBDL)
Maurice Baker (CBA)
Jeff Brandt (CBA)
Alex Sanders (CBA)

WYOMING GOLDEN EAGLES
Darius Rice (NBDL)
Nick Sheppard (CBA)
Ruben Boumtje Boumtje (NBDL)
Sung-Yoon (NBDL)
John Smith (NBDL)
Carl English (NBDL)
Marcus Moore (NBDL)

AAPBL teams begin play in November 2005.

Information about the AAPBL's summer league is available at http://www.aapblsummerleague.com/

[oldfatguy]

Why stop there? Why not draft all the NBA players too? I understand claiming rights, in case one of the NBDL/CBA players gets cut, but why stop with the NBDL/CBA? Just asking.

I'll take LeBron. What the hell.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Hey, no ABA players????????

[SK Fan]

Does Christie honestly think these guys will leave their CBA or NBDL teams to play in the AAPBL? He's flauting his money but what is he gonna do when he finds out about the reality of minor league basketball and teams only draw 400-600 a game? Good luck.............


Don't worry, Christie has experience declaring bankruptcy. He's done it before, whats another time? He's quite the interesting guy, insurance salesman, run for Wyoming state legislature as both a republican and a democrat, is a distributor of a dry car wash product, league President and CEO, etc. :roll: Besides, he's got the $140,000 from the players attending the summer league. That will keep the creditors and IRS away for awhile.

[BasketballCoach]

It is people who have identity problems that are killing the minor league game of basketball.

Look at the ABA owners for example, they have had several with past criminal records and continue to hire owners who have been banned from other known leagues (USBL, CBA). For what, 10 grand? Jeesh, it is a shame or a sham, depending on if you cant spell. Oops, I guess they are the same.

I dont know this Christie guy or his past financial problems, but I guarantee one thing, if this league doesnt make a go for it and he pockets this tryout money, he will be in court and if he isnt careful, a law that should be passed shortly will not protect him even if he declares bankruptcy (again according to previous 'sources').

[SK Fan]

It is people who have identity problems that are killing the minor league game of basketball.

Look at the ABA owners for example, they have had several with past criminal records and continue to hire owners who have been banned from other known leagues (USBL, CBA). For what, 10 grand? Jeesh, it is a shame or a sham, depending on if you cant spell. Oops, I guess they are the same.

I dont know this Christie guy or his past financial problems, but I guarantee one thing, if this league doesnt make a go for it and he pockets this tryout money, he will be in court and if he isnt careful, a law that should be passed shortly will not protect him even if he declares bankruptcy (again according to previous 'sources').


Source is US Bankruptcy Court, District of Wyoming, filed February 27, 1998, Bankrupcy # 98-10049 Chapter 7 along with US Bankruptcy Appellate Panel of the Tenth Circuit, BAP # WY-98-062 filed May 13th, 1999. :)

[Tha Man*]

I am sure he will hear from each League office about his press release. I guess Christie feels that he needs to put out a press release no matter how ridiculous it may be.

Now if he thinks he can flash a little cash and lure players away from the CBA/NBDL I think he is on crack. Players are not just going to make the jump to the AAPBL because he is going to pay a little more. They want the opportunity to play in the NBA as well and I pretty sure NBA scouts aren't going to scouting AAPBL teams on a regular basis.

I feel that Christie is making a mockery of the minor league system (even though is not a great system) and just throwing money out the window.

Mr. Christie, do us all a favor and take your ball and go home! We don't need another fly by night league that thinks they have the answer to minor league basketball.

[bp]

The Man...whooo, hold on. First of all players are looking for different things. Some players who know they aren't NBA guys go to Europe for the money. Some guys with NBA dreams want to be seen so they stay here, so they go where they will be seen and cash the biggest check they can. So, I can tell you NBA teams will scout this league if they get the players. IF is a big question but as long as payroll is met and on time players will come to this league or any league. Next, at least one coach has NBA scouting experience who Marty and Ryan Blake think highly of. So as for getting scouts if the league does what is says it will do it will be scouted.

As for making a mockery of minor league basketball, I think that had been done pretty well before the AAPBL came along.

As for the leagues calling the AAPBL about their dispersal draft what would they argue? Those players are not under contract at this point so what can they do about it? Also, how many teams are calling players and agents when a player frees up? The CBA and the NBDL are not only competing against other leagues but they compete against themselves in a way that encourages bending or breaking rules. In the case of the AAPBL the league isn't going to compete against itself.

Do I think this league will make it? The jury is still out but why root against it? It amazes me why people need to be negative about something they know next to nothing about. But then again I'm sure all of you are well aware of the league business plan and it's ownership plan so I suppose you all know.

[SK Fan]

"Do I think this league will make it? The jury is still out but why root against it? It amazes me why people need to be negative about something they know next to nothing about. But then again I'm sure all of you are well aware of the league business plan and it's ownership plan so I suppose you all know."


We've witnessed quite a bit since Mr.Christie announced his plans. Here in Cedar Rapids he hired a GM that was a local guy with knowledge on what it would take to succeed here. He quit after finding out the plan. Then Mr. Christie hired a "known" coach. He quit in two days after finding out the plan. Then, after Mr. Christie had already announced a team here he announced the team would not be here. Apparently Mr. Christie couldn't understand why the local arena wouldn't tie up 31 dates nine months ahead of time with no money promised if the league folded. Then Mr. Christie announced another team would fold (Pueblo) and announced two replacement cities. These two cities would have teams but would be travelling teams with only one or two home games. Mr. Christie plans on owning all the teams until local owners are found. Until then Mr. Christie will run the league on a shoestring budget. (whatever is left from the $140,000 player fees after the summer league)

I know way more than I want to about Mr. Christie, with most all of it being negative. I'm not rooting against the AAPBL, but it hasn't given me alot to cheer about either.

[Tha Man*]

I would have to agree with SK Fan.... and from what I have heard from people I know in the different markets, there is little to know advertising in the cities. Its hard to root for something when the current outlook is dismal and the most news that can be put together is the relocation of two temas and summer league play.

[Pounder]

If Mr. Christie's plan is to gut other leagues, including the team I need only drive 15 miles to see, perhaps I SHOULD have something against it.

...not that this team excites me that much. Just that the pie only serves so many people.

[bp]

I'll agree that in Cedar Rapids mistakes have been made but get the entire story straight before saying what the mistakes were. Once the mistakes were made the league did a poor job addressing them. First, the GM wasn't a GM, he was VP of Sales and Marketing. He knows alot of people but he is not comfortable selling and it showed. Second, the Coach will tell you today the plan is a good one, he left for reasons other than the planning.

As for advertising in the cities do any sports teams do any advertising 6 months prior to the season? Advertising is much more effective in single game sales than six months before the season. I'm not saying the marketing plan in each city is working I think mistakes are being made there too. But, again, before you spout off about how much of a joke this is you should know all of the facts.

As for the C.R. arena. I wonder why there is not indoor football in that building? I wonder why the hockey team wants to renegotiate their lease and is likely to move unless concessions are made? I think Sharon Cummins is good at her job but the city government makes it difficult for her to be agressive in marketing the building. People in the business can tell you that, if you don't believe me ask someone in the biz.

[oldfatguy]

Why would one take a position as VP of Sales and Marketing if he wasn't 'comfortable' selling? Interesting.

[SK Fan]

I'll agree that in Cedar Rapids mistakes have been made but get the entire story straight before saying what the mistakes were. Once the mistakes were made the league did a poor job addressing them. First, the GM wasn't a GM, he was VP of Sales and Marketing. He knows alot of people but he is not comfortable selling and it showed. Second, the Coach will tell you today the plan is a good one, he left for reasons other than the planning.

As for advertising in the cities do any sports teams do any advertising 6 months prior to the season? Advertising is much more effective in single game sales than six months before the season. I'm not saying the marketing plan in each city is working I think mistakes are being made there too. But, again, before you spout off about how much of a joke this is you should know all of the facts.

As for the C.R. arena. I wonder why there is not indoor football in that building? I wonder why the hockey team wants to renegotiate their lease and is likely to move unless concessions are made? I think Sharon Cummins is good at her job but the city government makes it difficult for her to be agressive in marketing the building. People in the business can tell you that, if you don't believe me ask someone in the biz.


Brad,

Whatever you want to call the position, GM or VP, Koolbeck quit. It was an obvious miscommunication on someone's part. And there was an obvious mistake made hiring the coach since he quit less than a week after the announcement. The hockey team does not play in the US Cellular Center. Every minor league team wants to renegotiate their lease and threatens to move if that doesn't happen. The problem between the AAPBL and the arena was the letter of credit the city wanted Mr. Christie to post. You can't blame the city or Cummins for asking the AAPBL, an un-proven, new league with no history, to post a letter of credit. What would have happened if the AAPBL folded before the season started? The arena would have lost those 30 dates they could have booked otherwise. By agressive I assume you mean making concessions and giving discounts. Maybe the other cities Mr. Christie PICKed did this, but Cedar Rapids obviously doesn't have to give away the building.

As far as how much of a joke this league is, I guess it depends on if you live in Cedar Rapids or work for the AAPBL.

[TEN]

I have a question for the board...

If the AAABL (or whatever it is) is owned by a single entity...

Why put Cliff Levingston in Billings as a head coach instead of Wichita...

Levingston is one of the most popular players in Wichita State University history...knows a lot of people in the state...Won a USBL title and Coach of the Year with the Dodge City Legend in 2003...

Cliff would bring people to the game who would not give the league the time of day in Wichita...

A lot of people know and love Cliff in the Wichita area...

My prognostication....this league will give minor league basketball another black eye...and fade to black...

[Tha Man*]

TEN -

I think it will be more than a black eye.

[SK Fan]

I have a question for the board...

If the AAABL (or whatever it is) is owned by a single entity...

Why put Cliff Levingston in Billings as a head coach instead of Wichita...

Levingston is one of the most popular players in Wichita State University history...knows a lot of people in the state...Won a USBL title and Coach of the Year with the Dodge City Legend in 2003...

Cliff would bring people to the game who would not give the league the time of day in Wichita...

A lot of people know and love Cliff in the Wichita area...

My prognostication....this league will give minor league basketball another black eye...and fade to black...

This league has given Cedar Rapids it's second black eye in as many years. The USBL and the owners of the River Raiders gave it it's first black eye. And no one can say that the fans didn't back the team. We averaged over 2000 fans a game. The business community will not (smartly I might add) throw money at these minor league teams simply because of a lack of stability. The River Raider organization came in, started well, had the St.Louis fiasco, publicly announced they were looking at joining the CBA, then folded, all in a matter of four months.

Now the ownership of the River Raiders says he might start the team back up. I can't wait to hear what the business community tells him this time when he comes calling for sponsorship dollars. Will the fans come back?

[TEN]

The USBL missed the boat with the Cedar Rapids situation. I was in Cedar Rapids for the first game of the season and the last game...Great crowds both games...great facility...and Sean McLaughlin is one of the best in minor league basketball....Floyd Irons should have been kicked out of the league...no doubt...just my opinion.

[SK Fan]

The USBL missed the boat with the Cedar Rapids situation. I was in Cedar Rapids for the first game of the season and the last game...Great crowds both games...great facility...and Sean McLaughlin is one of the best in minor league basketball....Floyd Irons should have been kicked out of the league...no doubt...just my opinion.


Sean did a great job here in Cedar Rapids. I too was at the first game of the season, along with many others. Unfortunately, I was at the St. Louis game also. I watched as Ironhead walked to center court and listened to him tell Joerger he was taking his team off the floor. I did miss seeing Ironhead pushing people around outside the St. Louis locker room. I contacted the league office the next day and was told Ironhead would be suspended indefinitely. After hearing he was traveling with the team I called the league office and they wanted to know who told me and what games he was at. After two games he was reinstated because St. Louis threatened the league with a lawsuit. Then the league came out and announced a settlement had been reached between St.Louis and Cedar Rapids. That was a lie, according to the owner of the River Raiders. Then the owner announced publicly he was looking at joining the CBA. Then he folded the team. Now he says he is 'considering" starting the team again. Hard to be a fan when you don't know if the team is here for just a season.

From what I am seeing, there may not be much of a USBL to go back to.

[RiverRaider]

I do not talk on these message boards but after this one I read by SK Fan I found that I must reply.

SK Fan states that the owners of the River Raiders gave Cedar Rapids a black eye, it was not the owners fault that their staff could not get sponsors. The River Raiders are not back due to lack of sponsorships, simple.

The fan support was not as well off as SK Fan states, yes they had a lot of fans come to the games but over half of the fans were given free tickets they did not support the team by paying for their tickets.

Joining the CBA was Sean M. idea that never played out, Cedar Rapids will never support a upper end league.

SK Fan states that the owner is considering starting the team up again and it would be hard to be a fan if you do not know if the team is here to stay, do not worry about this problem as the owner of the River Raiders has NO interest in bringing back the River Raiders or bringing any minor league basketball to Cedar Rapids. It would be a money pit.

St. Louis Coach Irons was not correct, the way that Coach Joerger and the owner of the River Raiders handled the situation was first class.

The failure of the RR was pretty simple no sponsorships and the owner did not want to spend his time on something that was going to lose money how could you blame him. The staff of the RR failed at getting sponsors, the GM the sales manager and so on, blame the right people the people that are being paid to make the team work. The owner accepts his part maybe the others should start as well.

The true paid attendance of the RR games was around 800. I would be able to prove all of this, more then you can do.

The best of luck to you.

[SK Fan]

I do not talk on these message boards but after this one I read by SK Fan I found that I must reply.

SK Fan states that the owners of the River Raiders gave Cedar Rapids a black eye, it was not the owners fault that their staff could not get sponsors. The River Raiders are not back due to lack of sponsorships, simple.

The fan support was not as well off as SK Fan states, yes they had a lot of fans come to the games but over half of the fans were given free tickets they did not support the team by paying for their tickets.

Joining the CBA was Sean M. idea that never played out, Cedar Rapids will never support a upper end league.

SK Fan states that the owner is considering starting the team up again and it would be hard to be a fan if you do not know if the team is here to stay, do not worry about this problem as the owner of the River Raiders has NO interest in bringing back the River Raiders or bringing any minor league basketball to Cedar Rapids. It would be a money pit.

St. Louis Coach Irons was not correct, the way that Coach Joerger and the owner of the River Raiders handled the situation was first class.

The failure of the RR was pretty simple no sponsorships and the owner did not want to spend his time on something that was going to lose money how could you blame him. The staff of the RR failed at getting sponsors, the GM the sales manager and so on, blame the right people the people that are being paid to make the team work. The owner accepts his part maybe the others should start as well.

The true paid attendance of the RR games was around 800. I would be able to prove all of this, more then you can do.

The best of luck to you.


The reason the business community did not support the River Raiders was they feared exactly what happened, the team folded after one season. Minor league basketball does not have a great history, and Cedar Rapids has seen this first hand. Anyone could have told the owners that the business community would take their time before jumping in. The owner hired the staff. If he wants to blame them that's fine.

As far as fan support, even at half the number of 2000 fans that was still lots more than most teams had. When the River Raiders announced they were looking at the CBA, it gave the business community even more reason to hold off their sponsorship dollars to see what would happen.

I guess when he was qouted in the Gazette saying he was "considering" bringing back the River Raiders he was misquoted. Don't get me wrong, I don't think he will ever bring the team back, but why did he say he was "considering" it if he has no intention of bringing the team back.

The owner of the team stated in the Gazette that the reason he folded the team was he didn't have the time to devote to it. Another mis-quote?

Most any minor league basketball team is a money pit. Very few make money. Blame whoever you want to. Barry Smith owned the team. He hired the staff. He knew the history of minor league basketball in CR. If he's not bringing the team back, don't get quoted by the Gazette as saying he is "considering" it. Please don't say that I said he was bringing the team back. Barry said that in the paper.

[RiverRaider]

The team folded due to lack of sponsorships it is not the community's fault that they did not trust the staff selling the team to them. Again the team folded due to the staff failing to get sponsors.

The owner never blamed the staff but it does not make sense that the staff selling the team does not get equal blame. You seem to take this personal, are you Sean? You seem to blame the owners for everything perhaps you should look at yourself.

On some of the games there was only 100 paid tickets if that. The CBA had nothing to do with the sponsors, the staff failed on selling the team. And it may not have been the staff's fault any way like I said Cedar Rapids is dead on basketball, it was prior to the River Raiders.

How do you know Barry Smith was quoted, were you there for that conversation, I do not think so.

Barry Smith was right in not giving the time in something that does not make money, back on you if it made money the RR would still be around so quit blaming the owners. The owners took the financial hit to keep the team going you did not, put up your own money and then talk as big as you are now.

You say blame who you want to Barry Smith hired the staff. Perhaps Mr. Smith hired the wrong staff and that is part of the reason as you say it folded.

You talk big on a message board but have you ever owned a team and have you ever put up the money to make it run as the owners did.

I dont think so I think you hide on this message board and work in minor league basketball but have always had a ride as someone pays you and you never have had your own team at taken a financial hit as the owners did.

Get a life and focus on your job instead of these message boards your employer would appreciate it.

[SK Fan]

The team folded due to lack of sponsorships it is not the community's fault that they did not trust the staff selling the team to them. Again the team folded due to the staff failing to get sponsors.

The owner never blamed the staff but it does not make sense that the staff selling the team does not get equal blame. You seem to take this personal, are you Sean? You seem to blame the owners for everything perhaps you should look at yourself.

On some of the games there was only 100 paid tickets if that. The CBA had nothing to do with the sponsors, the staff failed on selling the team. And it may not have been the staff's fault any way like I said Cedar Rapids is dead on basketball, it was prior to the River Raiders.

How do you know Barry Smith was quoted, were you there for that conversation, I do not think so.

Barry Smith was right in not giving the time in something that does not make money, back on you if it made money the RR would still be around so quit blaming the owners. The owners took the financial hit to keep the team going you did not, put up your own money and then talk as big as you are now.

You say blame who you want to Barry Smith hired the staff. Perhaps Mr. Smith hired the wrong staff and that is part of the reason as you say it folded.

You talk big on a message board but have you ever owned a team and have you ever put up the money to make it run as the owners did.

I dont think so I think you hide on this message board and work in minor league basketball but have always had a ride as someone pays you and you never have had your own team at taken a financial hit as the owners did.

Get a life and focus on your job instead of these message boards your employer would appreciate it.

First of all, I am not nor have I ever been employed by or associated the River Raiders. I am not Sean.

Second of all, it was not the staff that the business community did not trust, it was the history of minor league basketball in CR. You seem to want to place all the blame on the staff. Who was responsible for the staff? In one paragraph you say it was the staff's fault, then in the next paragraph you say it may not have been the staff's fault, CR is dead on basketball. Which one is it? You seem to have inside information, such as how many paid tickets there were for each game. Are you employed by Mr.Smith?

Thirdly, I am not placing the blame on anyone in particular. Lots of things led to the failure of the River Raiders.

I purchased tickets for almost all the games. Did you? I would not put up money for a minor league basketball franchise in CR. I know the chances of making any money is slim and none.

You stand up for Barry alot, so I assume you work for one of his companies. I also assume that if Barry was mis-quoted in the paper he would have demanded a correction. I have also spoken with the author of that article.

Lastly, if as you say "Perhaps Mr. Smith hired the wrong staff and that is part of the reason as you say it folded" then who does Mr. Smith have to blame but himself. Throw all the insults you like, we all know who is trying to act like a big man.

[SMM]

Wow, I am impressed that my name is being widely used. SK Fan is definately not me sorry for the disappointment. I have moved on from Cedar Rapids and it was a great community. I think I ask though if you have a problem with me or you feel like trashing my image. Here is my personal email address CBABBall02@aol.com. If you think I don't know what it is like to take a loss on something, lets sit down and talk. I have had many losses and I don't have alot too lose. Thank you, and if you have comments you want to direct to me... don't be afraid to talk to me directly.

Sean M. McLaughlin

[RiverRaider]

I guess you are right, Mr. Smith hired the wrong staff. They all failed.

[AAPBL_FAN]

Why is everyone complaining about Cedar Rapids pulling out? The aapbl had a sales staff up and running for a month and only sold 2 season tickets. If you really want to complain you should have bought tickets especially to justify a deposit that was 3x higher than the other 9 cities.

[AAPBL_FAN]

Why is everyone complaining about Cedar Rapids pulling out? The aapbl had a sales staff up and running for a month and only sold 2 season tickets. If you really want to complain you should have bought tickets especially to justify a deposit that was 3x higher than the other 9 cities.

[SK Fan]

Why is everyone complaining about Cedar Rapids pulling out? The aapbl had a sales staff up and running for a month and only sold 2 season tickets. If you really want to complain you should have bought tickets especially to justify a deposit that was 3x higher than the other 9 cities.

Worth,

After opening an office in CR six months before the season you expected to sell season tickets with no advertising and then firing the sales staff(?). Did you have anyone else employed besides Mike Koolbeck? He quit. Same as the coach you hired. How many tickets had been sold in other cities in the same time frame?

As far as the deposit, I don't think the US Cellular Center is quite as hard up as some of these other arenas. Maybe these other arenas were willing to tie up 30 dates six months in advance with little or no money down, but the US Cellular Center doesn't need to do that. You seem to make a big deal out of the letter of credit the USCC wanted. Is your league a little cash strapped?

For being "a bounce away from the NBA" the AAPBL summer league rosters looked more like a Junior College reunion. All these drafts you keep having just make the AAPBL look more foolish every day.

[marlthom]

<Do I think this league will make it? The jury is still out but why root against it? It amazes me why people need to be negative about something they know next to nothing about.>

People are negative because people are getting screwed every time one of these fly-by-night operations takes money from players hanging on to the dream of playing pro ball.

Will WC now refund the sponsor, season ticket and tryout money? If he wants to be seen as anything but an absolute crook, he should.

But he won't.

Because that's not how these people operate.

Seriously, is anyone really surprised the AAPBL went belly up?

[SK Fan]

Why is everyone complaining about Cedar Rapids pulling out? The aapbl had a sales staff up and running for a month and only sold 2 season tickets. If you really want to complain you should have bought tickets especially to justify a deposit that was 3x higher than the other 9 cities.


Hey, it's a good thing the US Cellular Center in CR held those 30 dates for you Worth. :roll: They shouldn't be worried about the league folding or anything silly like that! :roll: I wonder if the two fans who bought season tickets in CR ever got their money back, or if Worth just transferred them to Hutchison, Kansas too. :lol:

[cdawg]

oh well they can kiss goodbye the chance that any of these cities will ever host a minor leauge basketball team again...............i guess this guy had a dollar and a dream much like most of the A.B.A. owners.............most people who come up with a business plan to help themselves to peoples money end up locked up..............its a shame all these aau players got rooked by this guy.................the only name i knew was majestic mapp a great point guard out of nyc who was hurt alot in college..............i hope he gets a looksee in the cba or nbdl(he is that good)...............have fun in the big house big guy :twisted: