Sharing homes?

[psbf]

The last I heard, the Anderson Champions were still playing, in the ABA, and using the Wig Wam as their home. But it was recently announced that the Indiana Alley Cats(CBA) had moved into the Wig Wam and are calling that home again. Can someone explain that to me? Did Anderson fold?

[Chuck the Writer]

No, more like this -

The Alley Cats played in the Anderson High School Wigwam in the 2005-06 season, and returned to the Wigwam when the team began its CBA campaign.

Meanwhile, Unca Joe decided to shove an expansion franchise into the Wigwam, the Anderson Champions, to essentially "foul the water", and confuse the basketball fans with two pro teams in different concurring leagues.

Unca Joe might use his "Wal Mart v. Target" argument on this one, but it's more like a Wal-Mart (Alley Cats) discovering that someone built a Cheapo Depot (Champions) on the same street corner.

[jamesaba]

Indiana Alley Cats Announce Their Return to Anderson
Get ready for another exciting season of Alley Cats basketball. The Indiana Alley Cats have announced their return to Anderson this season. This year they have moved up to the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). Once again, they will be playing all their home games at the Anderson High School Wigwam. Their first home game of the season is Sunday, December 10th at 3:00 pm against the Minot Skyrockets. Come on out for an opportunity to experience the quality of CBA basketball. The Alley Cats hope to see all their fans in attendance. Indiana Alley Cats season tickets and single game tickets are currently on sale. Please contact the Alley Cats office at (765) 608-3838 or visit their website at http://www.indyalleycats.com for more details.


Looks like they're both playing there and according to this the AC have had it from the beginning of their home season which was just Dec 10th.

[psbf]

ok, thanks. I would think the Alley Cats outdraw the Champions.

[bdaly]

ok, thanks. I would think the Alley Cats outdraw the Champions.
I would have too, but, I'm not so sure that's the case. At the very least, I suspect they haven't topped Anderson's opening night crowd of 1,100 to 1,200. The CBA seems to list attendance as long as the number tops 1,000 this year. If it doesn't, it's not reported from what I've seen. So far, none of their crowds have been reported. The Alley Cats never proved to be much of a marketing machine in the ABA, and from what I see on the web, it doesn't look like it's changing. I suspect they're both drawing crowds in the hundreds.

[panchess]

..Utah and Great Falls had crowds under 1,000 (albeit barely) on their boxscores.

I agree with the general point about the Alley Cats. They should move to Gary and show the Steelheads how it's done.

[psbf]

I heard an interview with an Indian official, last season, who said the Alley Cats drew about 1,500.
This year, however, as you said, unless the attendence is at least 1,000 it's not reported.

[psbf]

Oops, I meant an Indiana official.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

..Utah and Great Falls had crowds under 1,000 (albeit barely) on their boxscores.

I agree with the general point about the Alley Cats. They should move to Gary and show the Steelheads how it's done.

I caught that!

Yes, I'm still lurking around. The Alley Cats wouldn't be welcomed in Gary anymore than the Rollers were welcomed in Hammond. You have to be "connected" to start an operation like that in Northwest Indiana. Denise Pulphus of the former Hammond Rollers never understood that (but I think she does now). Besides, there won't be another pro basketball team in Gary as long as the Steelheads exist. Hockey--yes, basketball--no.

psbf,
You were right the first time. Only the "Indian" Alley Cats could have averaged 1500 fans. The INDIANA Alley Cats were (are?) strictly a friends and family type of draw.

[bdaly]

Yesterday's Alley Cats game drew an announced crowd of 100 (kudos for having the guts to actually post it though). So, if someone is going to win the basketball war in Anderson--and two losers is very possible--I'd have to go with the ABA team (if for no other reason than modest travel). With that crowd, it's clear their season ticket base is in the dozens--if that.

As for last year, I think 1,500 was their peak crowd. When they played in Rochester, someone asked that question, and they responded that their best crowd was 1,500. If you look at the photos on their website, it's pretty clear their typical crowds were a few hundred last season.

[ABA06er]

You mean the great CBA is drawing 100 fans or less to games ???

THIS CANT BE!!!!!!!!!

Then again this is the NEW CBA - the same one that can be classified as a 8 team traveling 3 ring circus.

[psbf]

Last year the Alley Cats played like they should have had a few thousand on average turnout. But if that was so, why would they not post it? I would think that 1,500 was their average, that's what I remember him saying(the official).
If it's true that Indiana only drew 100, that strikes me as strange, considering we outdraw them and we don't have a win yet.

[bdaly]

If they claimed they drew 1,500 on average last year, they were dreaming. Most of the pictures from last year indicate crowds of a few hundred--even Joe Newman was critical of their crowds while they were still in the league (saying they should be drawing better). I doubt he would have been upset with a semi-legit number of 1,500.

Wednesday's listed crowd for Indiana was 1,200 though. So, who knows. I don't see how a team can bounce from 1,200 (Wednesday) to 100 (yesterday) unless there was a nice promo Wednesday. Hopefully they forgot a 0 in the box score yesterday that's posted on the CBA site......

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Then again this is the NEW CBA - the same one that can be classified as a 8 team traveling 3 ring circus.

As opposed to the SAME ABA - where schedules are merely suggestions, financial stability is a rumor, and franchises have the shelf life of a quart of milk...

[Pounder]

It's not worth our time to compare somewhat professional leagues like the CBA with ponzi schemes like the ABA.