The ABA ...

[The Magician]

The #1 Leader in causing unemployment for basketball players across America!

I spent some time on the net taking a look at a great # of pro/semi pro basketball players who are currently available and or seeking teams to play with.

And I found an alarming % of these players have been associated with teams that were members of the American Basketball Association (ABA) during this season (2006-2007) and last season (2005-2006).

Now, I do understand that players come and go ... coaches make roster changes ... players get injured ... etc.

But the sheer # of players who have been released by ABA teams is :(

I think this says alot about the ABA and it's leadership.

It's been time for a change in the ABA ... and this is surely one of the many reasons why!

[teqkng]

Magician, That is an even more compelling arguement for a 3 month regional tournament league setup followed by a 3 month standard league setup followed by a playoff setup. It allows the weaker players and teams less of an investment and allows players to find other options in the south american or european leagues in the right timeframe. Making the ABA a better all around choice for players looking for a carreer. 2 seperate contracts, one for tournament play with a management option for League campaign, and playoff bonus' would make it more lucrative for players. The additional Accolades involving an actual Regional trophy make for good resume material the extended season makes it possible for the players to make a decent living.

Who else has 2 cents?

[The Magician]

This is an issue that still needs to be discussed and addressed ...

Have a listen to:
ABA All Access Show # 37 from Sat., April 14
Interviews with various owners attending the Spring Owners Meetings in Indianapolis, IN on April 12, 2007
http://www.audiosportsonline.net/ABA/AllAccess.htm?abalive

Pay particular attention to what ABA CFO and Strong Island Sound General Manager - Darren Cioffi had to say from 16:55 - 21:01

#1 ... How did Strong Island have 29 Roster Changes when the ROSTER MOVE LIMITATION for the ABA is 18 roster moves beginning the 1st day of the regular season and ending the last day of the playoffs? A roster move is defined as any time a team adds a player to it's active roster and that player suits up for at least one game.

Beyond that, did Strong Island really have that many rostered players whose contracts were bought out by European teams? One of the exceptions to the 18 Roster moves rule is that you can replace a player if his contract has been bought out by a foreign team. Did Strong Island have 11+ players have their contracts bought out?

What did you think about Mr. Cioffi's comments about minor league sports and the ABA Salary Cap (?), which the "recommended" ABA Salary Cap is $120,000. (18:35 - 21:01)

Pretty interesting remarks I'd say ...

In reality, the $120,000 salary cap recommended by the league does not mean anything - Teams are not legally bound to adhere to that ABA recommendation nor are teams legally bound to pay any player salaries!

So ... IMO, It's not a matter of a Salary Cap ... It's a matter of stable ownership, financial management, fisical responsibility and overall integrity of the organization.

I'm not totally convinced that the ABA has an ever increasing % of elite pro basketball players who are playing themselves into a position to command the larger scaled salaries being offered by the top international teams around the world.

What I think the ABA does have, is a large pool of players who have the ability and potential to develop their game and move on to the next level; both domestically and internationally. And if they could be afforded the opportunity to situate themselves in a comfortable and competitive professional playing enviroment; that's when, to me, the players create the value for your organization!

And part of that opportunity for players to situate themselves in a positive atmosphere, is for them to feel that they are being $ compensated for their work and dedication both on and off the basketball floor.

My ideology is ... Take care of your players ... And they will take care of you!

So ...

Do ABA teams need to compensate the players (?) - Yes.

Do ABA teams need to pay salaries beyond their means (?) - No.

Do ABA teams need to pay salaries equal to, or higher, than the international market salaries (?) - No.

Should ABA teams believe they can justify not paying players a competitive and equitable salary by openly stating their organization has no money to do so, or their operations have not yielded the sales to satisfy the committment to player salaries (?) - No.

Further, Should ABA teams believe they can justify not paying players a competitive and equitable salary by selling players on the notion, that based solely on that individual's love for the game of basketball, that they should go ahead sign a contract, even though that individual may be making huge concessions and sacrifices in their personal life (?) - No.

Do I understand there's a CHOICE involved (?) - Yes. But IMO, if players play for free, they do not create value or security for themselves nor establish a launching pad toward fulfilling future goals and dreams.

What happens to these players who play for free? A better player gets recruited, and they get released. And what happens to those players?

Read the very 1st post under this thread - They become a statistic! :(

That's not my idea of promoting and providing a foundation for personal growth and development - for individuals and organizations alike!

So, What should ABA ownerships be doing?

IMO, #1 ... They really need to think deep and hard about their current financial situation/backing. If the money is not there to begin with, or it appears that there is a good chance that the market will not support and maintain a cash flow level that will fully cover anticipated expenditures and payables - STOP. Do not go further ... time to re-evaluate the business plan and your venture into minor-league sports.

On the flip side of things ... If you KNOW that the organization will be liquid enough and have the required and available resources to fulfill the committment to your organization and to the league ... Then the owners should be trying their very best to recruit and retain the best players available within their own internal budgeted salary limits.

Ladies and Gents, Like Mr. Cioffi mentioned during his ABA All Access Interview - "Every owner is a competitor ..."

Basketball is about competition.

Players who give it their all to the ABA, deserve the opportunity to compete on the floor for an entire 36 game season and a playoff run, along with being compensated with the most competitive salaries possible!

So owners ... be honest, be smart, be hardworking, be a competitor.

But most important - Be a champion for your players!

If you consider yourself a competitor but feel the need to do it on the cheap, then that's a decision made on your part.

You determine your own level(s) and reach(es) of entrepreneurship.

But people who are true competitors ... Get out there and get it done.

And to me ...

That means paying your players for their worth and their value; as athletes, as individuals, as members of your community and team family ... and the ones who are bringing to you the entertainment dollar!

[nksports]

Magician, That is an even more compelling arguement for a 3 month regional tournament league setup followed by a 3 month standard league setup followed by a playoff setup. It allows the weaker players and teams less of an investment and allows players to find other options in the south american or european leagues in the right timeframe. Making the ABA a better all around choice for players looking for a carreer. 2 seperate contracts, one for tournament play with a management option for League campaign, and playoff bonus' would make it more lucrative for players. The additional Accolades involving an actual Regional trophy make for good resume material the extended season makes it possible for the players to make a decent living.

Who else has 2 cents?

That almost sounds like adult AAU basketball back in the 70s and 80s, which was pretty close to what the level of ABA talent is right now. A lot of those teams used to make money in the late fall by playing college teams in pre-season exhibitions. Then they would play the regional and national tournaments in the late winter, early spring.
Those teams then got pushed out of that by better-funded semi-pro teams often funded by larger companies (Marathon Oil was a big one, but there were several dozen like them).
Those teams got pushed out because some of those coaches were accused of shopping prep players around to colleges and other abuses (you can't pay those teams expense money anymore). The NCAA cracked the whip and encouraged the college teams to start playing D-II, D-III and NAIA schools for their pre-season games.

[The Magician]

for the players this upcoming ABA season?

Listen to what the ABA CEO had to say ...

http://www.audiosportsonline.net/ABA/AllAccess.htm?abalive
Listen from 7:03 - 8:22

Sat., May 19, 2007
ABA All Access Show # 42
ABA CEO: Joe Newman

Are you smart to the spin?

[tbayz1]

If you keep listening to Joe, he rants and raves about the blogs and message boards (aka OSC lol)

Remember:

League 1
League 2
League 3
League 4


hahaha

[Fells]

I became ill listening to the audio and had to puke. You can tell this is an ABA production as it is so far from objective that it simply isn't funny. Leading questions such as "ABA competition finishes a lower percentage of their games than you do. Why does the ABA get such a bad rap?" are so ridiculous that it isn't funny. 63 percent is high compared to other leagues????

Also, A1 being a mole is an interesting thought, as Joe "knows who he is" and wouldn't stoop to the level that another league did in planting him.

How about the ABA being the "big league" of minor league basketball? Have they ever heard of the D-League?

Jealousy, and everything synonymous with the word came out. Nothing even came close to challenging Joe on any of the issues the league obviously has. And ABA '06er calls me biased???

[a1sports]

Joe, I not anyones mole... so stop spreading that spin. Your just mad I sat at the ABA "owners" meeting in April. 27 yup, 27 out of 60 teams were at the meeting and you spun your spin, this time a few caught on. Thats why a few teams left early and went to different leagues. IMO Probably more will follow when Jaloza sends them a cese and decist order for using the ABA logo. Only time will tell now.

[Paul S]

Some of Joe's quotes

"Ethical honest moral people, so its tough being a target"

"most of the attacks are coming directly from the other leagues"

"constantly taking shots at the ABA"

"every single fan that has ever attended a game says it is the most exciting fast paced, fun packed quality basketball at the most affordable price they've ever seen"

"they offer free franchises, special offers to get my teams, God forbid they find their own"

"we don't recruit teams from other leagues"

"I do not have a PR person, every word on the website I write or edit to make sure its factually correct"

"I know who's doing it, we've been able to track they're email address....A1 was at the ABA meeting...we know who A1 is.......not representative to whats happening......unethical, immoral and not good sportsmanship, its just terrible, I;m not gonna lower myself to this level"

"Everybody hates the Yankees because they are the big league, everyone hates the ABA because they are the big league"

"Mcdonalds, Kmart Sears, Wal-Mart, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King"

[robster2001]

Some of Joe's quotes:

"every single fan that has ever attended a game says it is the most exciting fast paced, fun packed quality basketball at the most affordable price they've ever seen"


And there are teams where he could have asked every single fan...


"we don't recruit teams from other leagues"
No, you just expand into markets in retaliation for them leaving the league. Anderson, anyone?


"I do not have a PR person, every word on the website I write or edit to make sure its factually correct"
That's great. Of course, you don't have a PR person. The garbage that spews from your website wouldn't, if you did.


"Mcdonalds, Kmart Sears, Wal-Mart, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King"
I'll take "Corporations that won't touch the ABA" for $1200, Alex.

Sheesh.

Does he even have a passing acquaintance with reality?

[a1sports]

Joe... If you know who I am , why did you say Hi Mike at the meeting? Even though my name isnt MIke...

Your game has come full cirlcle...I will sit back and watch Jaloza take his winning judgement and maybe shut this charade down.

Dick should offer more stock than he did to Jaloza....shameful offer.

[The Magician]

So how many basketball players have been shifted to the unemployment line by the ABA CEO so far this season?

[sportsnut2000]

I still don't understand how some players can play in the ABA when they know they may not be playing for these teams when they fold mid season