My correspondence with the Rochester (MN) Fire

[Minor League Man]

I have contacted the Rochester Fire (that's the ABA team name)'s owner's e-mail several times.

Here is a transcript of our correspondence:

1. My first e-mail:

First of all, I'd like to say "Congratulations" on landing a team! I'm sure the whole city is excited.

Second, when should I expect the big press conference? I'm not asking you to divulge any more information, I just want to know when I can hear some more.

Thank you,

Michael Burmeister

P.S. It was reported in the news that Joe Newman has been voted out of his position as CEO, but he still claims to be CEO (Legally, he is out)

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/02/09//sports//doc45cc129c129b5598855327.txt

Knowing that, are you still interested?

2. Their response:

Dear Mike:

Thank you for the email.

Our Press Conference is not scheduled yet. We were trying to put some staff in place to make an announcement, so that the next day there were people there to answer phone calls.

Also, our entire investment group is not complete, a couple of other people were coming on board that required privacy until we have dotted all "i's" and crossed all t's, so in deference to them, we are waiting.

The date for the announcement was probably the 29th of February. No official date has been set, and certainly the ABA's league leadership issues could affect the timing of our annoucement. But make no mistake, minor league basketball is coming to Rochester.

I have no comment on the ABA CEO position. All we know is what is reported in the papers and what the league office - which is Joe Newman - tells us. I am sure the parties involved will resolve the matter in a way that we all can understand in a short time frame. Joe Newman and the league have been great, gracious and supportive of our efforts.

So, you will hear more about the Rochester Fire in 2-3 weeks.

Thanks for your interest.

Sincerely,
Brad Phillips
Interim Dir. of Ops
507-289-8800

My reply to that:

I appreciate your efforts.

In case you were wondering, if Joe Newman is, in fact removed from the CEO position, Tom Doyle (ABA President, Maryland Nighthawks owner, and leader of the movement to remove Newman) will become acting CEO. You can e-mail him at tdoyle@marylandnighthawks.com, and if he gives you the OK to go ahead, then you are good to go.

I am looking forward to following the Fire, and am hopeful that you do gain Doyle's seal of approval as well.

Sincerely,

Michael Burmeister
ABA Fan

4. His response to my response:

Dear Mike:

While thankful for your interest in us and the ABA, please note that the league vote on Mr. Newman's position as CEO was on January 31, we have a duly executed Franchise Rights agreement dated January 22nd, so the corporation of the ABA must legally honor the contract, and I am sure they will. Wy would the league invite more bad press by trying to not honor our agreement?

Whether WE wish to be a part of the league is the only question, not their seal of approval. I hope to work with whomever is the League CEO.

Thank you for your time, and please follow our efforts!

Sincerely,
Brad

[BreakersFan]

Someone should point out to him that the Fire will get absolutely ZERO coverage for any announcement made on February 29, 2007.

[sportsguy12]

I have contacted the Rochester Fire (that's the ABA team name)'s owner's e-mail several times.

Here is a transcript of our correspondence:

1. My first e-mail:



2. Their response:



My reply to that:



4. His response to my response:

Joe could have pulled the wool over the eyes of yet another unsuspecting owner.

[rams80]

Someone should point out to him that the Fire will get absolutely ZERO coverage for any announcement made on February 29, 2007.

Glad to see someone else caught that.

[The Magician]

" ... we have a duly executed Franchise Rights agreement dated January 22nd, so the corporation of the ABA must legally honor the contract ..."

Is the ABA now awarding a "franchise" through the use of a legal instrument - a "franchise agreement" ... which was lawfully executed under the NOW, public corporation of the ABA ... and is in compliance with all applicable laws?

Honestly, I'm not too positive the ABA has even touched that part of things yet???

Believe me, there are some current ABA teams out there right now ... who are operating on verbal agreements with the ABA. And I'm sure they may not be feeling too comfortable about it, if, in fact, they are hoping to continue their affiliation with the ABA?!

And I'm sure there are only a couple of teams, who have anything remotely legitimate on paper, as far as, a lawful and binding agreement with the ABA.

Or ... was this just a single piece of blank paper with some scribble on it ... saying that ... Yes, I, so and so, grant you a market reservation for Rochester, MN ... and no other party can place an ABA team in your market?

[The Magician]

They may want to think about the idea of announcing to the world ...

That they are ... the ... Rochester-Minnesota Fire?!