ABA tries again in Chicago, with the 'Throwbacks'

[The Sweeper]

http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007030206001

The team will me named the "Throwbacks"? How many teams have 'suspended operations' in Chicago?

[bdaly]

While the new owner sounds like a remarkable individual, I also wouldn't be surprised if he's another undercapitalized owner. His career experience is noble, but I doubt he's been able to generate enough wealth to run a pro basketball team from his career.

[panchess]

..but I guess not.

I wonder if anybody has the video from some of the used car dealership ads Joe's marketing firm must have produced. That and "structured settlement" firms must have been his stock in trade before the ABA.

[Minor League Man]

Oh my Lord...

Doyle & Company will not approve this.

[psbf]

The Throwbacks?? I'm not sure if I want to know what the next entry is going to name their team. I'm still laughing at this one lol It sounds like it belongs in the same story line as the Utica Wreckers.

[The Sweeper]

I try to make sure that if I post a link, it's a verifiable story. I know that Fells is a member of the press and he'd have me strung up if I posted links that were not verified.

I actually thought this was a joke at first too, even by 'ABA standards'.

[psbf]

I believe you, Sweeper. I checked and read the link. It's just the name that I'm in disbelief with. I think they could have done much better, than 'Throwback'.

[Fells]

I try to make sure that if I post a link, it's a verifiable story. I know that Fells is a member of the press and he'd have me strung up if I posted links that were not verified.

I actually thought this was a joke at first too, even by 'ABA standards'.

Strung up AND hog tied amigo!!!

I thought it was a joke too.....Oh wait, this is the ABA so never mind.

[Dilbert]

Hmmm lets see

The Chicago Skyliners lasted the ABAs innaugural season
The Chicago Soldiers lasted for a couple of games in 2004
The Chicago Rockets became the Rock Stars prior to the 2006 season
The Chicago Rock Stars lasted halfway 2006.

The Chicago Throwbacks are team number 5 and trust me it didnt workout the first 4 times either

[WHAFAN]

Not the Throwbacks name thrills me, but is that any worse than the Ripknees, Ballerz, Slam or MudFrogs? Before the ink dries on any Throwbacks tee shirts or ticket stubs, the team will have folded into oblivion like every other team in Chicago, and like 40% of ABA rec-league teams this season.

I think the term "Throwback" refers to the money these idiot team owners keep doing when Uncle Joe asks for a franchise fee.

[rams80]

Shouldn't there be a cut-off date where, I don't know, replacement teams AREN'T allowed to take the court?

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

According to Joe Newman, ABA CEO, "Chicago is a great city; the ABA should work very well there as it provides exciting professional basketball at affordable prices... It just takes good management and it will be successful. We think we've found that in the new owner
Where have I heard similar musings before?????

Oh yeah:

ABA to return to Chicago in 2006
07/12/05 - American Basketball Association (ABA) Chicago Rockstars

Indianapolis, IN. The American Basketball Association today announced that the league would return to Chicago in 2006. Joe Newman, ABA CEO, stated, "This is a good day. We have wanted to return to Chicago; we have not been able to find the right ownership group that could maximize the potential that this fabulous city provides. Now we have and we have no doubt that Chicago will be one of the premiere operations in the league. The group has terrific experience in sports, the ABA, entertainment and knows Chicago inside and out. Who knows, maybe they can even get on Oprah. They are strong."
The team will be co-owned by Mrs. Veronica Sullivan and Dominick Young. Mrs. Sullivan is a University of Illinois at Chicago alumnus, a former Junior National Olympian Gymast and wife of former University of Illinois All-American and NFL player Marques Sullivan. Mrs. Sullivan is CEO of Rockstar Entertainment, an up and coming event promotion company.

Dominick Young is a former ABA team owner in Visalia, CA as well as a standout basketball player at Fresno State University, and in professional leagues including the ABA.

According to Mrs. Sullivan, "The main objective is to provide Chicagoland with a high level of competition, entertainment and affordable prices for fans of the ABA. Even the team's dance squad, the "Rock Stars," will have a lot of flare. Incidentally, it will be led by former Michigan All-American gymnast, Ayana Peters. Ms. Peters will be working with the "Rock Stars" in conjunction with many of Chicago's premiere R&B singers and rappers for spectacular half-time shows." She added, "Chicago is definitely one of the sports capitals of the world. We simply want to give back what the city has given to us; exciting, competitive and passionate sport for the masses.

Dominick Young added, "First, the Chicago Rockets would like to thank the ABA for its support with our efforts to produce a great ABA team in Chicago. My first experience as an owner in Visalia did not work out as well as I would have hoped; I learned a lot - mostly to make sure that I had very strong people with me (I do) and the capital to do the things necessary to be a successful operation (we have) - and to be in a great basketball city (we are). We have from now until November 2006 to get the job done and we've started already. We'll be almost as active as those teams playing this season."

[Sam Hill]

Another undercapitalized owner with zero experience owning and operating a professional sports franchise. What could possibly go wrong?

I think if you'll look back, you'll see that Joe has extolled the virtues of every ownership group ever....until they piss him off, at which time he says they were pikers and did nothing right.