Continental Basketball League Prepares for Sophomore Season

[LightningMan]

Full press release here (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4125132).

With the season approaching, we are still looking to add to our roster of teams. We have set a deadline of January 15th to have deposits and letters of intent to our offices for review. Applications that are received after January 15th will not receive consideration for this season but will be considered for the 2012 campaign.

This, to me, sounds like they're fishing for another team without wanting to seem like they're doing so. They certainly need one, as seven is a bad number for a league.

I'd suggest trying to lure the new Jacksonville ABA team.

[formerlyknownasfells]

Full press release here (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4125132).



This, to me, sounds like they're fishing for another team without wanting to seem like they're doing so. They certainly need one, as seven is a bad number for a league.

I'd suggest trying to lure the new Jacksonville ABA team.

LM, trust me, I am very intrigued by the thought. Ron Shoals is doing a fantastic job in marketing his team, he has some talent and the first two crowds were very good. My question is whether or not Jacksonville is ready for year round basketball. During our season, the Giants would have to compete with the Suns who do very well at the gate.

For the first time since the Frost Heaves days in Vermont, I was impressed with the way an ABA team put on a game. Veterans Memorial is a great venue, the in-game promotions were entertaining, the PA announcer was good and the players were accessible and gracious after the game. If we could get a team like the Giants to play year round, it would make our league very strong.

[tops804]

Full press release here (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4125132).



This, to me, sounds like they're fishing for another team without wanting to seem like they're doing so. They certainly need one, as seven is a bad number for a league.

I'd suggest trying to lure the new Jacksonville ABA team.

A few thoughts here.

1) Awesome title for the release (...and an inside joke).

2) Jacksonville, would make the league 50% Florida. Not a bad thing...
However
2a) Does anyone really ever see this league as truly "Continental" or is it
just a term of insight/hope?
2b) Does anyone really ever see this league as moving away from just the
deep south?
2c) The USBL did have some success in the deep south including a high
percentage of teams in Florida in 1991 & 1992. Giving me hope for a long-term
thing happening with the CBL.
2d) Would just a Spring/Summer league, relegated to just a small region
be a turn off in the long run?

3) What should make us believe that the Birmingham market will return in
2011 after a pretty ABAish showing there in 2010?

4) Is it a good idea to show "interest" in other leagues teams or wait until
they need a better league to play in and seek out a new one?

5) Will somebody please get Mark to change "Florida" to "Orlando"? There
are three total teams in Florida (...and maybe more on the way).

BTW - I know it probably can't happen as it would be a branding and merchandising nightmare... ;)

6) Smaller cable networks showed USBL & WBL games in the late 1980's.
Is it just possible that we could find a network...Somewhere....That would
pick up a weekly game?

[LightningMan]

2a) Does anyone really ever see this league as truly "Continental" or is it just a term of insight/hope?
If I had to guess, they wanted to either revive the CBA name or trade off of it.
Does anyone really ever see this league as moving away from just the deep south?
Not any time soon. Develop and stabilize, then worry about expanding in that kind of way. The tighter footprint helps make the league affordable.

2d) Would just a Spring/Summer league, relegated to just a small region be a turn off in the long run?
Maybe for an outside party without a rooting interest. But me, I'm just happy I have a team to root for and that they have a league to play in.

3) What should make us believe that the Birmingham market will return in 2011 after a pretty ABAish showing there in 2010?
The fact that with a late start and probably little to no initial capital or organization the Sabers finished out the Steel's schedule gives me plenty hope for the team. Remember, it was the Gwiz and the Steel that didn't travel as scheduled, not the Sabers.

Is it a good idea to show "interest" in other leagues teams or wait until they need a better league to play in and seek out a new one?
I have no problem with them seeking other teams.

5) Will somebody please get Mark to change "Florida" to "Orlando"? There are three total teams in Florida (...and maybe more on the way).
I'm okay with Florida. If he would change it, I'd rather have him change it to Kissimmee.

6) Smaller cable networks showed USBL & WBL games in the late 1980's.
Is it just possible that we could find a network...Somewhere....That would
pick up a weekly game?
I'd love for that, but given that the Sea Dawgs have been here for years now and haven't had a game broadcast on anything other than the internet with a television station right across the street doesn't give me much hope.

[wellington]

I'm okay with Florida. If he would change it, I'd rather have him change it to Kissimmee.



It is likely that the Flight will be playing in East Orlando (specifically Avalon Park) this season and in years to come. I've been following them on Facebook and they seem to be generating a lot of buzz and getting a lot of support in Avalon Park -- http://www.avalonpark.com/ . Not sure if they would ever change their name -- the alliteration of Florida Flight sounds good.

[LightningMan]

It is likely that the Flight will be playing in East Orlando (specifically Avalon Park) this season and in years to come. I've been following them on Facebook and they seem to be generating a lot of buzz and getting a lot of support in Avalon Park -- http://www.avalonpark.com/ . Not sure if they would ever change their name -- the alliteration of Florida Flight sounds good.
I agree on the sound of Florida Flight.

I just looked at their site and saw that they're trying to get a venue in Avalon Park. I'll update their Wikipedia entry as soon as they get an official venue.