How does it end? (in new ABA city)

[ABA-hater]

I'm one of the poor souls that lives in a new ABA city (Quad-Cities) and our RiverHawks had a six-game homestand to open the season, and have drawn an average of 260 people per game (announced). The real numbers are more like 200 per game.

The owner and GM preach with unwavering confidence that they will be around all season and that they don't expect to make money the first season.

Is this common with other ABA leagues?? Is there a confident mentality until they drop or are there red flags/warning signs?

Thanks!

[Sam Hill]

There's "not expecting to make money" and then there's "not expecting to lose your shirt, both shoes, one of your socks and your inseam as well."

I don't care how you paint it or what your intentions were coming in, you simply can't draw 200 people a game and do anything but lose lots of money unless you're absolutely not spending anything at all. Which, for all I know, they could be.

But most ABA owners don't strike me as the type who could drop a few hundred grand and not feel it.

[ABA-hater]

So I should be expecting what 20 games from these schlubs?

Opening night was 311 people announce... Counted no more than 250... Game 2 - 89, Game 3 - 127, Game 4 - 143, Game 5 - 251 (all counted with 3 min left in the first half)...

so this is kind of losing your shirt, shoes, and inseam I'd imagine...


Also, do the referees not understand the 3-D concept?? It seems there's a lot of question as to what a "backcourt turnover" is...

There were a combined 75 fouls last night in QC with the RiverHawks making 40 turnovers... there was a wistle every 21 seconds on average... is all ABA basketball this bad??

[Fells]

So I should be expecting what 20 games from these schlubs?

Opening night was 311 people announce... Counted no more than 250... Game 2 - 89, Game 3 - 127, Game 4 - 143, Game 5 - 251 (all counted with 3 min left in the first half)...

so this is kind of losing your shirt, shoes, and inseam I'd imagine...


Also, do the referees not understand the 3-D concept?? It seems there's a lot of question as to what a "backcourt turnover" is...

There were a combined 75 fouls last night in QC with the RiverHawks making 40 turnovers... there was a wistle every 21 seconds on average... is all ABA basketball this bad??

First of all, the 3-D rule is that if the offensive team turns the ball over in the backcourt, the opposing team then scores off that turnover, one extra point is awarded. In other words, two becomes three, three becomes four, etc.

As far as the team goes, good luck. The ABA has a history of cancelling games, and folding teams during the season. This is due to players not being paid, an inability to pay for lodging and transportation, etc. This is a history that has put the ABA into a state of infamy and ridicule by many. (Including us on this board.) The league does not conduct public relations well as is apparant by responses many of us have received from CEO Joe Newmann. (aka "Uncle Joe") The responses are rude, demeaning, and avoid the subject matter at hand, being the league and its problems.

I firmly believe that if the league is run correctly, it can be a success. To me, and to others, rapid expansion is just not the way to go. The ABA would like to see 100 teams in the league, and to do that one can own a team with a low franchise fee of ten grand. From my research, background checks are not done, business plans are not required, marketing plans, and even a survey of the market to see if a team will succeed is not done or required. Many teams have folded due to the fact that owners just don't seem to know what they are getting themselves into. There are some exceptions of course, Alex Wolff of the Vermont Frost Heaves is one of note. Alex has done a very good job of marketing the team in this area, generating positive publicity through charity events, etc. (Including one which I was a part of in which the team was one of the first to offer donations for a silent auction.)

If a team has a solid plan, keeps ticket prices reasonable, does their homework, etc, with some of the rules the league has, it can be successful. Until they get their act together and have stricter rules in regards to ownership, there will continue to be issues.