Mayhem Dead?

[panchess]

At least their web site seems to be.

Still hoping Rochester joins the CBA next season, along with Colorado. Commissioner Hunter said he had been talking to a few northeastern cities, but I would be surprised if anybody but Rochester came over.

The Razorsharks would be a good addition though. Even with crummy ABA basketball, they have been averaging 3,000 per game or so.

[lightning fan]

Mayhem site is up right now. They are selling 06-07 season tickets so I hope they plan on playing.

I too would like to see the Razorsharks come over to cba. By the way what is a Razorshark?

[panchess]

Just after I posted, the Mayhem web site returned to life.

I do hope they are back, albeit with better players and a better business plan. Rockford too. Somehow I think the Lightning will be back. Don't ask me how, but I have that feeling.

Go Patroons!

[panchess]

..a shark that likes money.

Seriously, the ABA is a joke, but this is one franchise the CBA could pull and help the Patroons by giving them a natural rival.

[bdaly]

At least their web site seems to be.

Still hoping Rochester joins the CBA next season, along with Colorado. Commissioner Hunter said he had been talking to a few northeastern cities, but I would be surprised if anybody but Rochester came over.

The Razorsharks would be a good addition though. Even with crummy ABA basketball, they have been averaging 3,000 per game or so.
A quote from a Buffalo business journal:

Although Jacob believes the team can excel in Buffalo, he is not sure whether it will continue its affiliation with the ABA.

"I think my focus is to understand that we're preparing and moving forward with the minor league basketball franchise," Jacob said. "Whether or not we're affiliated with the ABA, the Continental Basketball Association, or the National Basketball Development League remains to be seen. We know that there are other affiliations and we're certainly aware of what that entails."

They drew over 3K on opening night, the owner ran out of money and got evicted, and since a new owner has come in and they drew decent crowds when they could secure decent venues. If all their goodwill hasn't been destroyed, Buffalo could be a decent addition that would create a nice three team rivalry. Their new owner seems to be serious.

[panchess]

..obviously I would like that, if Buffalo can get its site problems taken care of and get some financing. Is there an arena in Buffalo that has 4,000-5,000 seats, and would be available? The HSBC Arena is too big, and I am thinking Canisus is too small (isn't that about 2,000). You need to draw 2,000-3,000 consistently to make a go of it in the CBA.

It would be great to have Buffalo, Rochester and Albany in the CBA for most of a "Thruway" division. Rochester is likely to be coming to the CBA (travel in the NBDL doesn't seem to make sense if there is an alternative), either way, they won't be in the ABA again.

[bdaly]

Buffalo played their final game at Buffalo State, a 3,500 seat arena. They've indicated interest in playing there next season. It looks like a reasonable facility to me. They drew 1,800 or so there in their final regular season game. That doesn't seem bad after what that team's been through with multiple venues. They seem to be slowly rebuilding their base of fans. So I think there might be hope if they are run well from day one.

http://www.buffalostate.edu/athletics/facilities/

While I suspect all bridges are burned with this next facility, as you can see from the opening night picture, it wasn't a bad venue that has a similar capacity:

http://www.buffalorapids.com/images/galleries/first_game/8.jpg

I think Buffalo is a little higher risk. But, the owner seems committed. He saved a dying team; one that he surely lost money on by operating it the rest of the way.

On the other hand, Rochester's season has been smooth and the organization is first class. With an average of 3,300 during the season, the team found room in a crowded sports market. From their presentation to community service, the organization is solid. I'd like to see three NY teams so their operating costs don't balloon significantly. The NBDL was mentioned again in yesterday's paper, but I agree the CBA seems like a more sensible option.

[panchess]

...that is a good thing. Isn't the first venue Erie Community College in Hamburg?

Given that UB is in Amherst, a Buffalo location some distance from there would be better. Buffalo State is in the city, but in a nicer neighborhood. You might get some interest from the students too.

The NBDL may or may not expand for next season, and if so, likely will target California and Florida. I don't think the NBA really knows what it wants to do with the NBDL. I have to think the Pit Bulls and Skyrockets know something when they announce they are leaving the ABA without discontinuing operations.

The CBA, on the other hand, is actively looking for Northeastern teams. Taking Rochester and Buffalo as a package deal would do a lot for the league. Ten teams are a lot easier to schedule than eight.

CBA would take a budget in the $1.2 to $1.5 million range. Guessing the NBDL would be a bit higher, if only because of travel. The NBA only pays the salaries of players with rights, and most NBDL teams have some of their own players too.

[bdaly]

I think ECC's arena was part of their downtown campus, but Buff State looks like a good option either way. And, Buffalo drew that sellout crowd of 3K plus -- yet they had already missed a rent payment because their owner was so badly underfinanced. So, support wasn't the issue.

With that said, I was a little surprised Buffalo's new ownership has mentioned moving to a more expensive league more than once. However, it really does make a lot more sense if Rochester jumps. So, I'm hoping they make the move to the CBA.

The primary positive to the ABA is a lot of the more stable and reliable teams are in the northeast. While I suspect Newark, Harlem, and Long Island draw small numbers, they field good teams and are reliable. Montreal draws fairly well despite an average team.

However, you can tell by Rochester's ownership's comments of late that they're becoming more weary of the issues. When you have 3,000 showing, you really can't risk a team not showing. So I suspect we'll at least see Rochester jump. Buffalo is a little riskier -- especially with UB's improvement in basketball -- but I think a market might be there with modest rent at Buff State. So, we'll see what happens.

Anyways, hopefully I didn't derail the topic too much. Hopefully all the current clubs will remain in tact.

[panchess]

..the ABA may be cheaper, but you get what you pay for. It is practically impossible to promote sponsorships and sell season tickets when the club is unstable, as well as the opponents. Several ABA teams that did finish the season didn't have arenas or the ability to pay their players by the end of the season. Teams like the Boston Frenzy, Ohio Aviators, and the like were basically pick-up teams pretending to be pros.

The ABA has a 36-game season, but I don't believe one team played 36 games in the league.

The CBA may be more money, but if you want a real pro franchise, you may have to pay to play, and just consider $1.2 million the cost of doing business. 24 real home games (plus a couple exhibitions, like the Albany Patroons played the Harlem Wizards to a packed house) may net enough cash to do it.

[mzracing76]

This is Great News !!! Now if we can keep our teams from leaving the league for the NBDL like it says on the Dakota Wizards Message Board. we wil be a Great League Once again.

The CBA is the BEst Minor League in the Country as far as Basketball is concerned. I am not really interested in watching a NBDL team after 18 seasons (Sioux Falls Skyforce) in the CBA. I will not support the Skyforce if they move to the NBDL. that is a stupid idea. The CBA has the Best Players, Coaches, and Fans in the business. give it some time.

2005-06 Teams:
1-Sioux Falls Skyforce
2-Albany Patroons
3-Dakota Wizards
4-Yakima Sun Kings
5-Idaho Stampede
6-Rockford Lightning
7-Michigan Mayhem
8-Gary Steelheads

Expansion Teams (2006-07)
9-Colorado 14ers
10-Rochester Razorsharks
11-Buffalo
12-San Jose

EASTERN CONFERENCE.......................................W ESTERN CONFERENCE
1-Gary Steelheads........................................ .....1-Sioux Falls Skyforce
2-Albany Patroons.......................................... ...2-Dakota Wizards
3-Rockford Lightning......................................... .3-Yakima Sun Kings
4-Michigan Mayhem...........................................4-Idaho Stampede
5-Rochester Razorsharks....................................5-Colorado 14ers
6-Buffalo........................................... ..............6-San Jose Jammers

*if the CBA can find a fourth team to come into the league also, we could have 12 teams and play 54 games.....30 Conference Games, and 24 Non-Conference Games...meaning, your team would play 6 times against all your Conference Rivals, and 4 times each vs the Non-Conference teams.

[A source close to the CBA]

The Michigan Mayhem, by all known accounts are down and out. They couldn't even get through the season to be honest...I've continued to hear bad news about Rockford and Gary. A few weeks ago, it looked good that there were a few buyers for the Lightning, but to my understanding, things don't look good. Without Rockford, the feasibility of Gary staying around is very low. The CBA is going to try to live, but for how long and at what level? :confused:

unfortunately mzracing76...you're vision will not happen. All will be revealed...

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

The Gary Steelheads will be around next season. There is no longer a doubt about them continuing as a professional basketball team. The current owner is steadfast in favor of the CBA, although his son (and Chief Operating Officer) prefers the D-League.

Rockford will NOT be around next season, unless they switch to a low-rent league like the ABA. The only places available for Rockford to play weekend games are college and high school gyms.

Michigan? Well, Michigan would be in a better position if their GM hadn't verbally assaulted (with racial overtones) the mayor of Muskegon a year ago. I don't know how successful the Michigan owner will be in securing taxpayer help for her team either.

[panchess]

..on the Mayhem, so I think it's stick a fork in them. Don't understand why the CBA doesn't try Grand Rapids again, though.

The good news is that he said Rockford is in the process of being sold, so they may actually be back.

[bectond]

Michigan's web site is down, so this may be the end of the Mayhem

[CBAGuy]

I think that the CBA will be very strong this season. Basically what will happen is teams will come to the CBA as a kind of tryout for NBDL. As long as NBA teams are going to start having there own franchises ie Lakers buying their own, the teams in the CBA are going to be trying to find there way into joining the NBDL.

There are many true fans of the CBA, like my self, that want the CBA to stick around and be strong but the NBA is becoming a global league and soon we will see a minor league system much like baseball's.

[bectond]

All D-2 players hoping to escape the ABA were dealt a crushing blow last night as the Mayhems owner pulled the pug on her often over matched team of Division two cream puffs.

Side Note: San Jose and Butte -Great Falls will most likely sign the same type of non-talented players as the Mayhem did. Will any of those teams win 12 games next year in the CBA?

[Pounder]

http://www.mlive.com/news/muchronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1150989330240210.xml&coll=8

Don't see how the owner can "pull the plug" when they're in bankruptcy court. Doesn't mean the plug isn't being pulled, just that the court will probably be dividing the assets among the unpaid creditors. "You get this jersey, and you get this jersey, and you get this jersey..."

[panchess]

..I don't doubt the Mayhem will go to bankruptcy court, disappear, or move to another city, but they aren't there yet.

The best scenario for the CBA would be to sell this franchise to somebody in Grand Rapids, and bring back the Hoops.

[bectond]

What did she do wiith her share of the expansion fees that 150,000x4/5 or 120,000. The League is still expanding so she would be due another 30,000 per team. Some of the bills she owes are $500 here or $800 there. It's like that movie slapstick, where the owner can make out better if she folds then if she sells, so I don't see her selling to another group from Grand Rapids.

Side Note- Has a team ever purchased a team, went under and sold the team back to a group from the original town, Grand Radips to Muskegon back to Grand Rapids would be wild, the Raiders did it but under the same owner.

[justbballin]

I hope that the Mayhem stays in, as there will be additional teams on the east coast. The east could look like this: Albany Patroons, Gary Steelheads, Indiana Alleycats, Rockford Lightning, Florida Pitbulls, Rochester Razorsharks, and Pittsburgh Xplosion. I know that Commissioner Newman and Freddie Lewis, Xplosion owner have had checkered past, lawsuits and all. I hope Buffalo, Montreal, Chicago and Quebec would wake up and join, but after they get burnt 1 year in the league, they will want in. The D-League is a reach, but the CBA is much better.

The west could look like: Yakama SunKings, Butte Daredevils, Great Falls Explorers, San Jose Skyrockets, So Cal Legends, Utah Snowbears, Los Angeles, Bellevue Blackhawks, and adding Vancouver, BC would mean 3 teams from Canada -- Vancouver, Montreal and Quebec! Dare I say Continental or Canadian Basketball Association. I hear they are looking to start their own league to thwart the ABA. Now, just think of it, wouldn't that be exciting!

[USBasket_EricE]

The CBA is the BEst Minor League in the Country as far as Basketball is concerned. I am not really interested in watching a NBDL team after 18 seasons (Sioux Falls Skyforce) in the CBA. I will not support the Skyforce if they move to the NBDL. that is a stupid idea.


I rest my case, a McHone bandwagon (see D-League forum, topic: Sioux Falls Skyforce)