CBA status

[not so fast]

Does anyone know, will the CBA be back next season? I have heard that the D-league has really made a push for some of the CBA teams.

[toad455]

It's been rumored that five or six of the current CBA teams would merge into the NBDL. Plus, it's likely that the Rochester Razorsharks, Indiana Alleycats & Florida Pitbulls of the ABA have applied for the CBA/NBDL. We'll likely find out over the summer if this is true. But I'd expect Roanoke, Florida and/or Fayetteville of the NBDL to fold/relocate after this season.

NORTHEAST DIVISION
Rochester Razorsharks
Albany Patroons
Gary Steelheads
Michigan Mayhem

CENTRAL DIVISION
Sioux Falls Skyforce
Dakota Wizards
Indiana Alleycats
Arkansas Rimrockers

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Florida Pitbulls
Ft. Worth Flyers
Austin Toros
Tulsa 66ers

SOUTHWEST DIVISION
Albuquerque Thunderbirds
Bakersfield Jam
Yakima Sunkings
Idaho Stampede

Likely to fold: Roanoke Dazzle, Fayetteville Patriots, Florida Flame & Rockford Lightning.

[preeths]

I would kind of doubt Indiana, which is drawing a few hundred a game despite a sterling record, and Florida, which cancelled its final two home games, are strong D-League contenders, but stranger things have happened.

[Chuck the Writer]

First off, this is speculation rather than fact. One forgets that the Colorado 14ers are supposed to join the CBA, and that Rockford is actively searching for new backers. You're also dealing with three different levels of operating budgets - the RazorSharks may be able to afford to operate on the ABA level, but playing in the CBA (with air travel) or the D-League (with lotsa air travel) will raise the overhead significantly.

Even if there are rumors of a super-conference of minor league teams, it's doubtful any CBA team would get involved in an NBA-sponsored operation, considering that the D-League came about because Isiah Thomas tried to nickel-and-dime the NBA into purchasing his newly-acquired CBA.

I'm thinking that maybe down the road we might have some interleague contests, possibly exhibitions or a joint NBDL-CBA All-Star Classic, or maybe a "Naismith Tournament" featuring the top minor league squads from each of the major conferences.

But right now I'm enjoying the CBA as the regular season comes to a close (and Albany is 3 quarter points away from the playoffs YAY). Plus I'll be at the ABA championship tournament, so anybody from the boards who's going to Rochester make sure you say hi.

[bdaly]

the RazorSharks may be able to afford to operate on the ABA level, but playing in the CBA (with air travel) or the D-League (with lotsa air travel) will raise the overhead significantly.
For a little more on the situation in Rochester, here's a portion from a Rochester D&C column a few weeks back:

Bob Matthews Column (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060218/SPORTS0101/602180329/0/ARCHIVE4)

The Continental Basketball Association is looking to expand into the Northeast next season, and league commissioner Gary Hunter has spoken to prospective team owners in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New York. He hopes to announce several expansion franchises this spring.

The Albany Patroons are the only current team in the eight-team CBA based in the Northeast ,and a division in this part of the country would significantly reduce travel costs. Hunter and American Basketball Association Rochester RazorSharks CEO Orest Hrywnak on Friday said "no comment" on any possible discussions.

The CBA is the more stable league in terms of solid franchises and prestige in the basketball world. Unlike the ABA, it even has a Web site that provides the latest league statistics to fans and media.

The major negatives in a switch from the ABA to the CBA would be the $200,000 franchise fee for new teams and higher travel costs with the cities so spread out. Hrywnak says the franchise fee would be "no problem."

The eight current CBA teams are the Gary Steelheads, Rockford Lightning, Michigan Mayhem and Albany in the Eastern Division and the Yakima Sun Kings, Sioux Falls Skyforce, Idaho Stampede and Dakota Wizards. The Colorado 14ers will join the league next season. The CBA office is in Boise, Idaho.

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to have the CBA and D League doing the same thing when, if they were merged, they'd save significantly on travel. Of course, politics keep things from being that easy. I don't mind the ABA, although, teams in the NE seem to be a little more stable than the norm. We'll see if the ABA can work on at least having minimum cash requirements down the road so they know owners can play out a season. With significant crowds in Rochester, I'm sure the Razorsharks see a "no show" situation as the main risk in remaining in the ABA.