ABA in the South 2007-2008

[The Magician]

I was looking at the South and Southeast Divisions of the Blue Conference this morning ... And I'm thinking that next year ... the ABA might be a bit thin of teams in the region???

Who will come back? ... Who might not? ... Who willl move to another league? ... and ... Who will make good on their market reservation?

Mississippi Miracles
Atlanta Vision
Southern Alabama Bounce
Knoxville Noise
Tennessee Mud Frogs

Jacksonville Jam
Palm Beach Imperials
Orlando Aces
Miami (Miramar) Tropics

Market Reservations
Rome, GA
Tampa, FL
Birmingham, AL (2006-2007 Inactive)

[headcoach_tds]

SA Bounce: New owner ship group Maybe
TN. MudFrogs: They are DONE
Knoxville: Depends on the WBA experience-Need to create a buzzz
Atlanta: Yes
Mississippi: Who really knows LOL



I was looking at the South and Southeast Divisions of the Blue Conference this morning ... And I'm thinking that next year ... the ABA might be a bit thin of teams in the region???

Who will come back? ... Who might not? ... Who willl move to another league? ... and ... Who will make good on their market reservation?

Mississippi Miracles
Atlanta Vision
Southern Alabama Bounce
Knoxville Noise
Tennessee Mud Frogs

Jacksonville Jam
Palm Beach Imperials
Orlando Aces
Miami (Miramar) Tropics

Market Reservations
Rome, GA
Tampa, FL
Birmingham, AL (2006-2007 Inactive)

[zeke41]

I work for the Orlando Aces, and we are already preparing for next year, regardless of who is the CEO or whatever other nonsense is going on. Unless something crazy happens, we will be back and MUCH, much stonger than this year. We had our own reality TV drama going on, on top of all of this CEO and all this other drama going on. We were pleased to just get through the season. All these other teams just folding up like beach chairs, and we stayed focussed and found every way we could to finish up the season. I feel like we achieved something great this year. I hope that other teams near us can come back as well, as that would make it easier on us and our travel schedule!

[The Magician]

I work for the Orlando Aces, and we are already preparing for next year ... We will be back and MUCH, much stonger than this year ... We were pleased to just get through the season ... We stayed focused and found every way we could to finish up the season ... I feel like we achieved something great this year.

very proud of the Orlando Aces team for giving it all to keep their season going!!!

Especially, When I read that the team was going to Wilmington ... I was :-D ... That's the Spirit!

[The Magician]

I hope that other teams near us can come back as well, as that would make it easier on us and our travel schedule!

is to get as pro-active as possible ... Don't wait for communications from the league office.

Contact all the teams in the South/Southeast Region (including Mkt Reservation teams) ... Get those lines of communication opened up and established.

At some point, Have a conference call ... or a Region meeting if necessary.

Put together a plan of action of "how things are going to work" ... and "What solutions will be in place to help each other."

Establish a "standard of excellence" - All games scheduled = All games played.

And most importantly ... Make it enjoyable to be apart of something that is really exciting!

[zeke41]

Thanks, Mr. Magician! Perhaps we could have you as our 11th Man Celebrity next season! HA HA HA HA!!!! I'm preparing the proactive business plan as we speak. We're looking at a couple of big high schools as venues, we have a TV deal we are working on, and the communication between the division teams has already increased. We know we need eachother.

We tried to stay proactive this year - it just got tougher and tougher with all of our issues. I speak from experience...if you have a strong will to succeed, that is worth more than any initially start-up capital. Trust me...we had skeletons in our bank account, and we still got it done! I'm RELLY excited about next year, now that our team will have some time to bring several sponsors on board. I just hope this whole CEO fiasco doesn't prevent us from getting any key sponsors.

I'm open to any and all suggestions that anyone has on this blog. The key to success is communication!

[The Magician]

Thanks, Mr. Magician! Perhaps we could have you as our 11th Man Celebrity next season! HA HA HA HA!

Now, I have to tell you ... The Magician's got game ... That's of course, If I can make it through the pre-game warm up ... or is it called my disappearing act? :p

[The Magician]

... and the communication between the division teams has already increased. We know we need each other.

See if you can get these markets to join you ...
Pensacola
Fort Walton Beach
Panama City
Tallahassee
Gainesville
St. Augustine/Palm Coast
Daytona Beach
Titusville
Melbourne
Fort Pierce
Coral Springs/Ft. Lauderdale
Key West :cool:
Fort Myers/Cape Coral
Port Charlotte
Bradenton/Sarasota
Tampa/St. Pete

I'd dig getting the Market Reservation for Key West! The cool names are limitless:cool:

Just think of all the "themed" parties they have in Key West. I could have a different theme for every game!

The fun just keeps bouncing ... before the game ... during the game ... and after the game ...

And My #1 thing on the to do list ...

Finding one heck of a commercial or private Airline deal to fly my own team and all the visiting teams, in and out of Key West.

(Now, where did I put my piggy bank, that has the ABA logo on it's backside? ... Talk about losing my ____ :mrgreen: )

[zeke41]

Just a thought...who the heck do we get a sealed committment for any market reservation?

Here are my thoughts:

Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City - Very ideal, with S. Alabama Bounce and Atlanta

Tallahassee & Gainesville: Doubt it - Gators too strong and Tallahassee had a poor reaction to the announcement

St. Augustine/Palm Coast - Holding a game against Jacksonville on March 9 to give them a taste

Daytona Beach: Already inquired for a team

Titusville: Who knows - maybe

Melbourne: Tryin g to get the Bravard Blue Ducks to join the ABA

Fort Pierce: As much as we stop there while traveling to Miami & Palm Beach, we might as well play a game with someone "at the half!" HA HA HA

Coral Springs/Ft. Lauderdale: Who knows where Miamia will have to play next...both the Imperials and the Tropics play close to Ft. Lauderdale anyway

Fort Myers/Cape Coral, Port Charlotte, Bradenton/Sarasota: It would be nice to get the West Coast represented in the ABA

Tampa/St. Pete: Well, we were supposed to have the Tampa Strong Dogs this year. Not sure what happened, but it certainly would be a great market addition - so long as Alex Hill doesn't decide to play closer to home!!!

Key West: Is that where you are? Man, I've been in FL for 2 years now, and STILL haven't gotten a chance to get down there with my wife!! Definately get the market reservation. Perhaps we can play 5-on-5 on Sea-Doos in the ocean!!! It's a new innovation of the ABA, a league that works hard to stay a cut above the rest of the competition (Can you imagine 10 sea-doos with ABA logos on the side throwing the Red, white and blue around during a hurricane???)


See....I, unlike many of the other personell for these teams in the ABA, have been doing my extra credit homework. This Florida division can REALLY work, especially by piggy-backing off of the tourist marketers out there! Should be a solid year next year for us!

[The Magician]

Key West: Is that where you are?

No, I wish! I'm in Birmingham, Alabama. And the more I think about it ... A nice Market Reservation in Key West, sounds likes the perfect ticket :-D

See ... I have been doing my extra credit homework. This Florida division can REALLY work ...

Oh, I agree with you ... A Florida Division could work very well.

Should be a solid year next year for us!

Keep up the good fight my friend ... and good luck to you!

[zeke41]

Magician...what do you think of the Aces website?

[The Magician]

Magician...what do you think of the Aces website?

1st glimpse ... (No offense) The HOME PAGE and site pages are a little rough around the edges.

A few suggestions ...

Try to BRAND the ACES logo ... make sure that's what catches the attention of the FANS straight away.

Get rid of all that Red White and Blue. (ex. buttons, lettering on the City of Orlando back drop). It's okay to incorporate the ABA Logo on your webpages ... but you are the Orlando Aces.

Give the ABA a Historical Page if need be.

You could possibly utilize the O-town back drop on an ENTERTAINMENT page on your website. It can cater to the tourists ... who are making Orlando their holiday and vacation destination! Establish a relationship with the Chamber of Commerce ... have them issue a nice blurb to use on the page "INVITING" everyone to come and enjoy everything that Orlando has to offer ... including an Orlando Aces game.

Change and move your counter. It's very hard to tell the count?

It's okay to have 'The Edge' and 'Vision Sports' advertisements on your homepage, but not at the top. Again, you are marketing the Orlando Aces #1!

Make the ad/announcement banners smaller if possible. They are taking too much space. You can give them more space and detail on another web page.

The myspace.com is a great tool Keep utilizing it ... but make sure the fans "are noticing" other stuff too.

Might want to tidy up the BOX SCORE and NEXT GAME boxes. Combine them.

Utilizing the Map Tool is great. But you may not need two map links on the home page.

Player of the Week is great. Keep using it. Make a history page of all the "Player(s) of the Week."

For next year, on the Roster page, make sure you get those Bios and pictures up. Get rid of that ABA Background. Use your Color ACES logo as the backdrop.

Also, if there is NO RESERVE ROSTER or TEAM ... don't include it. Keep the attention focused on your active players.

If you have a reserve team ... list those player with your active players. (Be inclusive) If you want to denote that they are a reserve, just add a note under the player as to that effect.

Keep those STATS coming. Good Job! (Could even expand it, if you wanted, and had the time)

Very hard to see the SCHEDULE! Change it up. And ... split it up ... Home Games ... then Away Games ... Then Full Schedule w/Results.

On your HOME games, don't list your opponent ... but on your AWAY games, always list the team you are going to travel to play.

After the game ... Go back and update the Full Schedule/Results with the team that you played.

The SPONSORSHIP page needs some work ... I see all those crazy colors again. Make it a "polished" and "professional looking" ... This page, like the entire website, needs to be like a calling card or business card ... it wants to be able to scream "Let's Do This!"

Give the Sponsors some love on your website ... Come up with some brilliant signage and link ideas. Thank your sponsors by giving them some visibility and by bringing in some business for them

Clean up the TICKET page ... Give them something VISUAL to make them want to buy that ticket or group of tickets ... or better yet, a season ticket!

Clean up the ABOUT US page ... Have your owner or ownership give their introduction greeting and thank you's. LET THE WORLD KNOW WHO YOU ARE ... WHAT YOU ARE ALL ABOUT ... AND HOW EXCITED YOU ARE TO SERVICE THE COMMUNITY ... YOUR FANS!

Update the PHOTO GALLERY with every game, event and activity.

IN THE NEWS page ... Keep that PR machine rolling. Make the page more appealing. Add a photo, then link the story or press release under the photo.

The COMMUNITY page can be huge ... Give some attention to that social organization, philanthropy, etc. Spend some time on this page. Make it look right! Make sure your homepage has some COMMUNITY incorporated ...

KID'S CORNER is great. Keep it going. Maybe add a different name to it. Come up with a logo ... and make sure it's very visible on your HOME PAGE.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES PAGE ... This page should be updated continuously, as needed. Alot of teams don't spend enough time on this page. Make it a page that is informative, precise, and gives all the necessary info for a potential staff member, intern or volunteer to make that communication.

Make it a fun page too. SHOW THEM that working for your organization will be an exciting and rewarding experience.

And a point to make ... don't ever say on your website ... that there are no opportunities available. Instead, ask them to call or send an e-mail to see what exciting opportunities are available. If your organization doesn't need help ... then you must be selling out the arena every night?!

Don't ever turn a person away!!! Find a way to include them in the ACES family!

Expand your CONTACT US page. Give them all the contact info that can possibly be granted to the public, without invading the privacy of the organization. The more people who are accessible and can be contacted ... the more comfortable and happy the fans will be ... about getting the info/service that they feel they need or require.

I think I'll be quiet now ... I hope it helps. I'm not a website guru ... Just call it like I see it.

[zeke41]

You're hired! :)

Check back after this weekend!

[mvhcpa]

Heck, I live on Big Pine Key, 30 miles away!

Sooooooooooo, if that reservation is still open, why don't you folks who have always dreamed of being invloved in MAJOR LEAGUE SPORTS send me some cash and I'll make it happen! Remember, your money will be in the blue blazer, left pocket, and as an added bonus any out-of-town investor can sleep on my couch on alternate Tuesday gamedays! :D

(Oh dear God, I'm sounding like Newman--SHOOT ME NOW!)

Michael Val
(who notes that if anyone DID give me money to hold the jokes would be on them, 'cause nobody wears blazers or ties down here! :p )

[teqkng]

I can see the Key West team in sandals instead of shoes, home uniform is simple flower print shorts no shirts (Just paint the numbers on their backs) Hmmm This one could be fun, want to start a thread on the options?

Just stay away from the "Drag Queen" options... LOL

2 dubloons...

[mvhcpa]

I can see the Key West team in sandals instead of shoes, home uniform is simple flower print shorts no shirts (Just paint the numbers on their backs) Hmmm This one could be fun, want to start a thread on the options?

Just stay away from the "Drag Queen" options... LOL

2 dubloons...

...the "Puttin' on Heels" crowd might beat out the Parrotheads in the uniform design category! :p

Michael Val
(who wonders if you can shoot a basketball if your wrist is ... nevermind :rolleyes: )

[The Magician]

Heck, I live on Big Pine Key, 30 miles away!

Do you think a basketball team could actually work operating out of Key West?

[mvhcpa]

Do you think a basketball team could actually work operating out of Key West?

...and I know this sounds racist, but unless they marketed and presented it as something (whatever the hispanic equivalent of hip-hop is), it wouldn't have a prayer.

Michael Val
(who notes there are two types of folks in the Keys these days--those to poor even to go to a game, and those too rich to want to!)

[The Magician]

...and I know this sounds racist, but unless they marketed and presented it as something (whatever the hispanic equivalent of hip-hop is), it wouldn't have a prayer.

http://www.last.fm/tag/spanish+hip+hop

Mike, is this what the current sound is?

[TEN]

After dealing with the Brevard Blue Ducks in the USBL....I can tell you that they would be PERFECT for the ABA!

[teqkng]

I think we can all agree that a key west franchise is unfeasable, it does not however preclude our creating a fictional one... Lord knows there are a few fictitional ABA franchises already playing...

2 seashells... and a half a sand dollar.

[mvhcpa]

http://www.last.fm/tag/spanish+hip+hop

Mike, is this what the current sound is?

...but do you know how sometimes marketing folks tag African-American culture with the term "Urban"--that's what the culture is like down here with the young Cuban kids.

And when I say Cuban, their families could have been here in the Keys for two hundred years, without them speaking Spanish for several generations. Before Castro, the fishing boats when back and forth, wherever the fish were and wherever they could get the best price for their catch. Folks from both sides of the Florida Straits settled wherever they felt like it.

Nonetheless, unfortunately, some of the white "Conchs" (Conch means a native of the Keys) use the word "Cuban" like the "N" word. :(

The music the kids like is more "Urban" rap, sometimes mixed with Salsa-like percussion--think Shakira with a bad attitude.

That's probably more than you (or the rest of the board) wanted to know about life down here! :redface:

Michael Val
(who is probably moving back to Georgia anyway come April)

[boing]

I think you're speaking of Reggaeton music.....