USBL lands big catch in the Steelheads

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I predicted this months ago...well, it wasn't really a prediction:

http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2006/10/24/columnists/al_hamnik/6df79e45b3209a718625721100088eef.txt

From the article above:

Harris admits a poor "business model" kept the old Steelheads from flourishing. Too many games. Playing week nights in the winter. Competing with high school ball. Poor marketing.

"With lower expenses, we can spend more money in marketing," he said. "I feel real good about this."

.................................

Me too. I feel good about the new Gary Steelheads also. Can't wait for the Draft party. I miss that sort of fun.

[bectond]

I agree with Harris Jr. in his view that the CBA plays too many games. Instead of playing 48 games over 16 weeks they should play 32 or 2 games per week. That would help reduce the number of week night games. He should have lobbied the league to reduce the amount of games rather than bolt after such a great season. IMO the franchise finally turned the corner and he should have fought to improve the business model along with Yakama and Albany before they expanded.

The USBL is no longer the strongest spring league, the WBA is about to take the 4 stable USBL franchises. And a 28 game season over an 8 week season will not allow for many weekend dates either.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

...The USBL is no longer the strongest spring league, the WBA is about to take the 4 stable USBL franchises. And a 28 game season over an 8 week season will not allow for many weekend dates either.

Geez-O-Pete! No, the WBA is not (I repeat, IS NOT) about to take the four stable USBL franchises. BTW, that's fact--not my opinion. Do you think Gary would join a league worse-off than the league they left? They did their homework.

USBL no longer the strongest spring league? Beats me. I've been following the Gary Steelheads the past six years in the CBA. The USBL will be a new experience for me and everyone else that follows Gary.

[sportsguy12]

Yes, the USBL teams are not going anywhere. People need to read this website (and its vast amount of stories) before posting statements like that.

If you don't want to surf this site, at least read this:

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3389121

This site is second to none!

[BreakersFan]

So it will be Gary, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Dodge City in the West. Any word on who will join Albany, Brooklyn, and Long Island in the east?

[panchess]

.. I thought the USBL had some new investors for the Scranton franchise.

[BreakersFan]

There was some rumor about some guy who owns a hotel in the Poconos buying the team, but nothing has ever been confirmed....

[MJHankel]

I was just thinking... Does this mean that the Steelheads are no longer pursueing the D-league?

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I was just thinking... Does this mean that the Steelheads are no longer pursuing the D-league?

Let's hope the owners of the Steelheads are pursuing minor league hockey instead. There's nothing going on with the D-league. Hockey could complement spring basketball in Gary.

[MJHankel]

Well with the new rumors of the CBA dying off the Steelheads may actually look really smart next season. Seeing as how the press ripped them apart when they first announced that they were leaving the CBA.

Maybe Harris new more than fairytails about the CBA demise. They started an ABA-like business strategy with the single owner of multiple teams.

I am fine with the USBL. I just hope more concerts can happen at the Genesis Center. Including stuff of every Genre. If we want to bring in people from out of town we have to give them what they want. The Star Plaza in Merrillville does stuff for people of all interests, and all music tastes. We need to start selling to more than just Gary. I remember when there used to be events there, now it just sorta sits empty more than half the time.

What about WWE, that brings in lots of people, and Sharmel Sulivan (Queen Sharmel) is a Gary native. I am not a huge fan of WWE myself but it sells.

The Steelyard overcame the culture and race boundaries of NWI we just need more stuff to do that.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I've said it several times before. The Steelheads need to market heavily toward SWF's. That means (and I know this is stereotyping) they'll need to promote cheap beer and margaritas. That's never been attempted with them in the past. Look at the Railcats. Whenever you see a Railcats billboard, you also see Miller Lite or MGD. The Railcats know where the REAL money is.

[MJHankel]

Seeing as how I am a little young, I was just curious, Do you happen to know if Gary ever condiered selling naming rights for the Genesis Center?

If not, why not?

It is a simple form of revenue.

I don't know I just was curious, Maybe the "Jet Puffed Center" (It always reminded me of a Marshmallow)

Also, what does "SWF" stand for? sorry if I sound stupid. The only thing I could thing of was "Single White Female", but I wasn't sure.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Seeing as how I am a little young, I was just curious, Do you happen to know if Gary ever condiered selling naming rights for the Genesis Center?

If not, why not?

It is a simple form of revenue.

I don't know I just was curious, Maybe the "Jet Puffed Center" (It always reminded me of a Marshmallow)

Also, what does "SWF" stand for? sorry if I sound stupid. The only thing I could thing of was "Single White Female", but I wasn't sure.

No, Gary hasn't considered selling naming rights of the Gary Genesis Center. Gary is really slow when it comes to dropping the word "Gary" from anything public.

I was wondering when someone would ask about SWF's. Yeah, there was also a movie by the same name. The USBL plays during motorcycle riding season. Hopefully, the Steelheads will target the biker chicks from Highland and Griffith, Indiana. They seem to have no problem spending a lot of time (and a lot of money) at Railcats games. They will do the same for the Steelheads if properly motivated.

[MJHankel]

Just wondering, what bar was the 2005 CBA draft party held at? (in your pictures)

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Just wondering, what bar was the 2005 CBA draft party held at? (in your pictures)

Willie Chandler was the 2003 #1 pick for the Steelheads. He was cut and never played a day for Gary. Today, he is prospering with the CBA Xplosion. What does that tell you about what the CBA has become?

The 2005, 2004, and 2003 draft parties were all held at Smokin' Bones on U.S. 30. The 2003 version was the best of that lot. Steelheart dancers, Steelie, and a couple of Steelheads players worked the crowd that year. The 2002 draft party was held at Hooters on U.S. 30. The Steelheads' #1 pick was present for the draft and it became quite a media production. 2002 was the best party overall for obvious reasons (and I don't mean, because the #1 pick was present).

I always felt it was a mistake to hold their draft parties outside of Gary. It's not a mistake to target fans from the suburbs, but those fans need to be encouraged to travel INTO Gary. What better way than to showcase drinking and dining establishments close to where the Steelheads play?

[panchess]

..he's a sixth man for Minot. Off to a good start, but I don't think his performance says much about the CBA.

It might say something about the Steelheads' drafting in the past, though.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Okay, the Steelheads are getting press. What about the rest of this league? April is not far away.

http://nwitimes.com/articles/2006/12/26/business/business/0f6755c30523f5628625724c0064be03.txt

"We view it as not just 15 home basketball games per year but 15 parties a year," said Jewel Harris Jr., a local attorney and also a part owner. "That's the business model we're using."

I view attending minor league games as party time too. Attending Northern Illinois U. football games is party time too, but that's another story.

Expect the return of cheerleaders who dance. Expect entertainment before the game and at halftime. Talks are in progress with American Idol Rueben Studdards and others.

There will be billboards on highways with the new Steelheads logo and advertising in newspapers and radio. The new owners will direct 20 percent of gross revenues to marketing.

If they know what I know (and I think they do), then they will sign-up American Idol "loser" Carrie Underwood too.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

The new Steelheads website is up and running now. It also lists the 2007 USBL teams (and I won't say I told you so): ;)

http://www.steelheadshoops.com/

[MJHankel]

Only problem I have is that more than half the buttons lead to blank pages. That is fine though since I am sure they will fill it in. Currently their site has almost less than it had before.