An Inconvenient Truth

[Steve Rossi]

This will be my first, and hopefully last, post. As someone once said, don't let the facts get in the way of a good story. Mr. Newman claims the RazorSharks sent an e-mail to him at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, March 21 saying we are ready to play on Tuesday, March 27 at 7:05 p.m. - tell us against who and what round. TRUE. That was our response to Joe's request for a "solution".

Joe conveniently forgets in all his missives that he send an e-mail at 2:41 p.m. EST that LATER same day to the RazorSharks and all of the owners remaining in the playoffs to "vote" on his two suggestions....since Joe is posting league confidential e-mails, I will post this as fact...

Conniejoenewman@aol.com
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 14:41:00 EDT
Subject: Fwd: Our solution
To: alexander_wolff@simail.com, mike@vermontfrostheaves.com, tony.dominguez.@bellinghamslam.com, travelingword@cableone.net, dharris1971@yahoo.com, pgratale@seagatemgmt.com, Igotdmoney@aol.com, chris@wbaball.net, gcpickering@hotmail.com, tawier@centale.com
CC: orest@razorsharks.com, Profman02@aol.com, srossi@razorsharks.com, RPTINKHAM@aol.com, bhester@abalive.com, TCREFABA@frontiernet.net

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All. Enclosed please find the response from the Rochester RazorSharks as relates to the ABA Playoffs.
As you know, Rochester is the ABA defending champion and is ranked #4. Due to weather conditions last Sunday, they were unable to play Wilmington (not their fault). The next home date they had available was Tuesday, March 27th. There are no other dates available at their arena due to college hockey commitments.

We have tried every way possible to get Rochester to change dates, change venues, work out something else so that we could speed up the playoffs. They have been inflexible. We have one or two alternatives.

1. Forfeit their game on March 27th vs Wilmington.
2. Go along with the March 27th date and move as quickly as possible for subsequent games.

At this point, I would appreciate input from all of the teams involved. I understand their position; I also understand the problems this is causing each of you and thought it would be best if you had some input.
Any thoughts? Thank you. Good luck.
Joe Newman
ABA CEO

Sev, Orest, Steve. Thanks for the email. Let's see what your fellow teams have to say.

Needless to say, we didn't wait around for the results of the vote. At that point, Dr. Sev, Orest and I made a tough decision to leave the league. We refuse to put the viability and credibility of the Hrywnak brothers franchise in the hands of other owners. That was the last straw. We feel very bad for our players, coaches, staff, sponsors but most importantly, our fans. The only way we can make this up to them is to forge ahead with a new league and begin to put out the same product as we have been doing - championship-caliber basketball on the court.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to call me at 585.232.9190. Thank you.

[The Sweeper]

Kudos to you for posting the truth, and good luck in the PBL.

[bomp]

Thank you, Mr. Rossi. That was very kind of you to let us know what's going on.

[The Magician]

To Mr. Rossi ...

[Fells]

Steve,

Thank you for setting the record straight. I wish you all the best in the PBL and if you could send along any information on the league, I would be most appreciative.

All the best,

Fells

[bdaly]

Well, there it is: there was in fact an e-mail vote solicited. The Razorsharks made the right move in my opinion. As a fan, it's never fun to have a season ended prematurely. But, it was clearly time to bail. Letting a bunch of other owners end your season because they weren't successful in forcing you to move to a high school venue shouldn't be an option.

Pretty bogus, and good luck to Mr. Newman in trying to place another team in Rochester. The only coverage it would get is Matthews ripping it and the league to pieces in his column. I'm looking forward to the PBL. Not having opponents bring six players and having the schedule be a merry-go-round won't be missed. The organization and fans deserve better.

[LASportsFan]

Mr. Rossi,

Thank you for sharing that email. The actions your team took are completely understandable considering the facts. It's now very obvious that it wasn't just Joe out to get ya, but the other owners as well.

Cglue (Larry, the owner of the Houston Takers) has come on this board and repeatedly stated over the last few days that an email requesting a vote of the other owners never took place. He said he made phone calls to three other owners that were still in the playoffs, and they all denied that this happened. Just goes to show how many of the remaining owners out there are Joe's cronies.

Good luck to you guys in the new PBL. I'll follow it closely. If I could offer any advise, be leary of the ownership of the remaining teams in the ABA playoffs that may want to jump ship to the PBL next season: some of them my have ulterior motives.

[a1sports]

Thanks Mr, Rossi. Your organization is a class act as are you for setting the record straight. Of course we all know Joe lies ! He is the master spinner. I know his backround is sales so he will say anything (100% are lies) to get what he wants. I see now that he is good at "cutting and pasting" e-mails.

Best of luck to Rochester. SMART move to leave, Im sure many other teams will leave to once they realize that his league doesnt function and never will.

Thanks for sharing.

Jury is in: the VERDICT: Joe is GUILTY

[sportsguy12]

Thanks Mr, Rossi. Your organization is a class act as are you for setting the record straight. Of course we all know Joe lies ! He is the master spinner. I know his backround is sales so he will say anything (100% are lies) to get what he wants. I see now that he is good at "cutting and pasting" e-mails.

Best of luck to Rochester. SMART move to leave, Im sure many other teams will leave to once they realize that his league doesnt function and never will.

Thanks for sharing.

Jury is in: the VERDICT: Joe is GUILTY

As if the ABA, USBL, WBA and CBA haven't been rocky enough, now we have the PBL. It's a shame some of these leagues can't work together instead of fleeing one league for another or driving each other out of business.

Sorry for not offering any congrats, I think the previous 5 or 6 posts more than handled that. I'm not going to beat the dead horse any more by doing that.

[bdaly]

I don't really think the new league should be a surprise. We've known about how unhappy Maryland, Rochester and others have been for some time. Maybe the CBA and these teams can work together. I'm sure the PBL wants sanity when it comes to travel costs; that may be what's keeping them separate for now. That's the reason Rochester remained in the ABA this season. We'll have to wait a week or two to see what's in store.

For all of the minor leagues out there, it's really amazing that no one is doing it extremely well. The D-League may be the closest, but it isn't without hiccups. It goes down from there.

[Chuck the Writer]

I just recently spoke with Steve Rossi. He was very clear about what the plans are, and from what he was able to mention to me, I think I can see where things are going from here.

The PBL is not a code-word for the D-League or the CBA. It will be its own autonomous league, most likely with a brown ball and no bonus points for turnovers in the backcourt. The league will consist of the Razorsharks, some other owners who have left the ABA, and some new owners of new teams. Thanks, Steve.

Right now, IMHO, the best thing for the PBL and all the other minor leagues in America to do is make sure you've got all your ducks in a row, all your finances are paid up and clear, your sponsors are happy, your players are paid, your leases are strong, and your fans are plentiful. The main goal is to provide quality basketball at an affordable cost, and hopefully see tomorrow's stars today. I want to read about Desmond Ferguson chasing the three-point completion record in the CBA; I don't want to read about a franchise folding because their owner skipped town. Let's concentrate on the on-court action, not some manufactured baloney like half-court shots for 4 points or 90-feet court shots for 10 points.

Personally, I would love to see a minor league challenge series for the winter-season minor league franchises, featuring the top three CBA teams, the top three D-League teams, and the top two PBL squads (essentially, the playoff champion, the runner-up and maybe a third squad with the best record) in an eight-team three-day tournament, similar to the end-of-season USBL playoffs; the winner would receive the James Naismith trophy as the top minor league basketball squad.

That might actually be fun to watch. And Unca Joe can sit in the nosebleed obstructed-view seats next to some crying baby or drunk patron, and think about what might have been.

[cglue]

Mr. Rossi,

Thank you for sharing that email. The actions your team took are completely understandable considering the facts. It's now very obvious that it wasn't just Joe out to get ya, but the other owners as well.

Cglue (Larry, the owner of the Houston Takers) has come on this board and repeatedly stated over the last few days that an email requesting a vote of the other owners never took place. He said he made phone calls to three other owners that were still in the playoffs, and they all denied that this happened. Just goes to show how many of the remaining owners out there are Joe's cronies.

Good luck to you guys in the new PBL. I'll follow it closely. If I could offer any advise, be leary of the ownership of the remaining teams in the ABA playoffs that may want to jump ship to the PBL next season: some of them my have ulterior motives.

Thats interesting, and it still wasnt a vote, Joe didnt in return say that since all the owners dont want to move the date to 3/37 that you are out of the league. The question was given to try to resolve the problem which meant they had no venue. I tell you this, let me not have a venue in the playoffs and you guys will be telling me how is it that I have a professional team with no venue. Hell, you've passed judgement like that before with some of your bashing. All Im saying is stay consistant in your decision making and quit changing in midstream just because you favor one team over another. Why wasnt it suggested with all their money to go on the road just to finish the round and allow the league to cover the venue which has been offered already to team that I know. I know Im not a favorite for the way I think and speak but it is what it is. Sorry you guys couldnt work it out Rochester and good luck in the future.

cglue

[preeths]

Thats interesting, and it still wasnt a vote, Joe didnt in return say that since all the owners dont want to move the date to 3/37 that you are out of the league. The question was given to try to resolve the problem which meant they had no venue. I tell you this, let me not have a venue in the playoffs and you guys will be telling me how is it that I have a professional team with no venue. Hell, you've passed judgement like that before with some of your bashing. All Im saying is stay consistant in your decision making and quit changing in midstream just because you favor one team over another. Why wasnt it suggested with all their money to go on the road just to finish the round and allow the league to cover the venue which has been offered already to team that I know. I know Im not a favorite for the way I think and speak but it is what it is. Sorry you guys couldnt work it out Rochester and good luck in the future.

cglue

They had a venue. They had eight members of the opposing team in Rochester and ready to play on the scheduled day. They submitted the first available date from the arena when that game was not played. Why should the Razorsharks spend all that money on a road trip when they earned the home game and were ready to play it? I'm not certain how you consider sending Rochester on the road or forcing a forfeit, Mr. Newman's other solution, as "consistent." I suppose you could mean consistently inconsistent, which is what we've seen in the ABA the entire year.

[TheStandard]

The Truth set them free.

Now Larry they was to be a vote and trust me snakes would have said screw Roc so they can have a chance to win it all. It's pathetic.

Lose by forfeit is cowardly by vote. They should have said ok we will let you play on the 27th. Thats four days from now.

When you have arena obligations you really cannot move to another venue. Unless the following happens. A natural disaster. The Arena breaks down due to electric or anything such as part of the roof falling down. There has to be absolutely no availability for them to play. Guess what there was for March 27th.

Then the two teams have to agree with the league in where to play. Since Rochester is the Hometeam chances are that they could have played at University of Rochester, RIT or Brockport. Or they could have gone to Syracuse and played there instead. Would it be fair for Rochester and its fans? No, but its fair for league standards (Ironic I said league standards)

But this is in the case there was no dates available and there was dates. Honestly the teams were going to vote Rochester off.

Second. i would never ever let anyone that runs or helps to run another league be in my league and you know who you are Chris Terrell. Your WBA is a very good league. Now im seeing a rapid expansion and adding a team in Mexico. Teams in Mexico do not really farewell. Go ask the CBA. Why is it that the Mexican teams in the ABA do not farewell. Teams in Mexico that play strictly in Mexico do fare well. Besides the point. Joe wants to twist things and guess what his balls were just twisted and that goes to Dick too because hes another one that loves to twists things around.

[a1sports]

I appreicate you coming to the phone this morning. You guys are totally correct. A professional team does not move a playoff game to a high school gym. The owners should not be involved in a decison process. You do not need to go on the road, your record earned you a play off game at HOME.

By looking at the pics you e-mailed me I see why Joe would be so upset. Nice crowds of 4,000 + fans, big 12,000 seat arena, tons of corporate sponsors, Program, Team pic for all the fans, Mascot, dance team. Community involvement. TV and radio deals. A front office staff of 12. This is an NBA production at a minor league level. Your fans are great also.

You have a full professional team in a lunch-time pick-up game league.

Thanks for the conversation and pics and I will come in the future to a game
when I get close to Rochester in my Travel. Good Luck

[cglue]

There wasnt a vote for a forfeit, it is twisted to satisfy their excuse to leave the league. It was a question on what we should do about the date and most of everyone said it didnt matter anymore. Im in the circle of the questions and have no reason to frabricate. We have waited for other teams why not wait for one of the strongest teams in the league, just we could disappoint the fans even the more, I dont think so.

cglue

[TheStandard]

Larry,

Joe has screwed many. hell he screws you with his words. hes a professional screwer.

"Anything that is not the ABA is Filet Mignon, The ABA is a Steak Um"

[bdaly]

We have waited for other teams why not wait for one of the strongest teams in the league, just we could disappoint the fans even the more, I dont think so.
I wouldn't be so sure. There ARE teams that are unhappy with having to wait. Vermont has made it known that they want to play before that date:

"It was like logjam breaking with the RazorSharks leaving the playoffs," Frost Heaves owner Alex Wolff said. "If Rochester leaves entirely it will be a real shame, but leaving these playoffs, which have already been dysfunctional, is good and we are very grateful that we can advance and have an opponent in Barre on Tuesday."

And, this isn't a shot at Vermont (I only picked this because they actually get media coverage), as they have the right not to want to wait. But, the idea that teams definitely would have decided to wait is questionable.

[LASportsFan]

There wasnt a vote for a forfeit, it is twisted to satisfy their excuse to leave the league. It was a question on what we should do about the date and most of everyone said it didnt matter anymore. Im in the circle of the questions and have no reason to frabricate. We have waited for other teams why not wait for one of the strongest teams in the league, just we could disappoint the fans even the more, I dont think so.

cglue

Cglue, you bash on everyone for twisting facts to support the hypothesis that Rochester leaving the ABA was commendable, but you are doing the same thing. Yes, I guess technically there was never a vote, so you can twist reality to say that there was never a vote. But, there was an email sent out stating that there would be a vote, and THAT ultimately proved to Rochester what a crack pipe league this is.

Larry, let me put this in terms that you can understand. How would you feel if if you had a game scheduled at your high school gym, and your opponet's players showed up, but their coach didn't make it so they canceled. You then had to call up the principal of the high school to find the next available date, but darn it, the prom is scheduled for the next Saturday, and then the school band has it reserved the next two nights for a performance. So, you have to push the game back a half week. Meanwhile, your opponent now realizes he's going to have to keep his players on the payroll at least another week!!! Oh no!!! He may be out another $1,000!!!! Plus, he's going to have to rent the Abby school bus again to make the trip over to your town! So, he complains to Joe and demands the game must occur this next weekend so that he can save a $1000. So, Joe calls you up and asks what's going on with the high school gym, and you respond that they've got the prom and a band recital already schedule. Joe repsonds that this isn't an excuse!! Find another venue!!! Joe googles Houston, TX and finds that there is a nice city park located near you. Why don't you play there? It's free!! Joe even offers to buy all the players juicy juice boxes and take both teams out for ice cream after the game if you agree to the new venue!! What would you do?

[preeths]

This whole argument over whether or not it was a "vote" is nothing more than a matter of semantics. Mr. Newman asked the opinion of several owners as to what to do, that's a fact. If you don't consider it a vote, fine. If you do, great. We all see what it was from Mr. Newman's email. The next time someone references a "vote," let's just take it to mean what Mr. Newman said in his email and stop arguing over whether or not the word is being used correctly.

[tbayz1]

Thanks, Mr Rossi for that info and good luck with the PBL, hopefully your rivals right down the thruway, the Buffalo Silverbacks will join ya guys and other strong ABA teams in the PBL

More news on the league would be appreciated when some of ya guys on here find out more, for those who have "connections"

[TR Waters]

I have been sitting here reading the "facts" from all angles. Despite all the "we said" and "they saids", only one thing is consistant. Rochester quit. :rolleyes:

[TheStandard]

well rochester did quit. but consistency is Joe Newman and his crap and his twists and turns and dick doing the same. well lets just say Joe and Dick always stick you in a ditch

[DaveHolmes]

I have been sitting here reading the "facts" from all angles. Despite all the "we said" and "they saids", only one thing is consistant. Rochester quit. :rolleyes:

Can you blame them?

[TheStandard]

well yea you can blame them too. i would have just won the championship and would have thrown that trophy to the garbage.

[TEN]

Why waste your time, money and effort in winning what is becoming a more and more bogus "championship?" They won it last year and what did they get? A pretty bogus ABA title.

This playoff situation has turned into a joke and the joke is on the fans who are spending money on tickets for these "playoff" games.

You can call me an ABA "critic." I consider myself a minor league basketball guy who is watching Joe Newman destroy what we have tried to build over the past 20 years.

[TheStandard]

The ABA and the USBL are tainting minor league basketball. The USBL with their revolving door of teams their lack of stats. They own a team called the ny primetime and there was never a picture of them. ugly logo and no stats either. The Brooklyn kings their webpage is less updated than any of the aba pages combined. oh well. suckers will still pay.

[cglue]

Cglue, you bash on everyone for twisting facts to support the hypothesis that Rochester leaving the ABA was commendable, but you are doing the same thing. Yes, I guess technically there was never a vote, so you can twist reality to say that there was never a vote. But, there was an email sent out stating that there would be a vote, and THAT ultimately proved to Rochester what a crack pipe league this is.

Larry, let me put this in terms that you can understand. How would you feel if if you had a game scheduled at your high school gym, and your opponet's players showed up, but their coach didn't make it so they canceled. You then had to call up the principal of the high school to find the next available date, but darn it, the prom is scheduled for the next Saturday, and then the school band has it reserved the next two nights for a performance. So, you have to push the game back a half week. Meanwhile, your opponent now realizes he's going to have to keep his players on the payroll at least another week!!! Oh no!!! He may be out another $1,000!!!! Plus, he's going to have to rent the Abby school bus again to make the trip over to your town! So, he complains to Joe and demands the game must occur this next weekend so that he can save a $1000. So, Joe calls you up and asks what's going on with the high school gym, and you respond that they've got the prom and a band recital already schedule. Joe repsonds that this isn't an excuse!! Find another venue!!! Joe googles Houston, TX and finds that there is a nice city park located near you. Why don't you play there? It's free!! Joe even offers to buy all the players juicy juice boxes and take both teams out for ice cream after the game if you agree to the new venue!! What would you do?

I made plans this year just because anything can happen and the fact that you dont own tomorrow or your venue. I had to make preperations for a team to play me just in case and made sure a another venue was available just in case they made the playoffs and Im glad I did. I actually had to use both and it all worked out but thats why I made a push to have our own facility. So we dont have to make those adjustments for the fans sake.

cglue

[TheStandard]

Larry at least you were smart in that. now prepare for anything with Joe. Did you call your leader? How is he doing is he tossing egg mcmuffins around or is he jerking around with dick?

[bdaly]

I have been sitting here reading the "facts" from all angles. Despite all the "we said" and "they saids", only one thing is consistant. Rochester quit. :rolleyes:
Well, technically yes, although it was obviously a preemptive move. Either they leave, or they put their fate in everyone else's hands. And, I'm inclined to believe there was a good chance their season would have ended via forfeit and everything would go on as it has. As stated, we know at least one group who didn't want to wait for the Rochester, so that's one forfeit vote. I wouldn't wait around for owners to "vote" me off the island, or "state their opinions" on the idea of doing that.

As for an arena, we're not talking about a high school gym, so it's apples to oranges. Rochester doesn't have any other options when it comes to a venue that can hold 4,000 people. The Armory may be an option down the road, but it isn't outfitted for basketball. Plus, then there are the sponsorship agreements. For example, the Budweiser "Shark Tank" probably can't be placed in some high school or college... Amazingly, all the other respectable minor leagues I follow find a way to make it work in one venue despite these the challenges that come with a real venue that has other events. Of course, those leagues provide a reasonable window between rounds.

Again, all these comments make it clear that the Razorsharks operate at the different level than some other teams. So, it vividly illustrates that leaving the ABA was the right move. Concluding these tainted playoffs would have been ideal, but based on the e-mail posted here, that probably would have pushed me over the line too. I still think if the first and second rounds had any semblance of organization, all would be well. When games are concluding one night, and then travel plans need to be made ASAP for a game the same weekend, it leads to little travel flexibility and costly travel. Sloppy stuff.

[cglue]

Larry at least you were smart in that. now prepare for anything with Joe. Did you call your leader? How is he doing is he tossing egg mcmuffins around or is he jerking around with dick?

Im a natural born leader, just wait and watch after April Standard.

cglue

[TheStandard]

just dont become a theif like Joe. Thats what I and all that follow the ABA ask.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Let's assume - for the sake of semantics - that Joe DID request a 'vote' from the other owners on how to proceed.

This may mark the first time in ABA league history that he actually made a point of seeking out the opinions of others before making a move of any kind.

See, if he unilaterally 'suspends' Rochester for failure to blah blah blah (which was surely his intention all along), he takes the immediate hit. But, if he gets the TEAMS to buy into it, he can gyro-ball the coverage into "well, while I remained neutral during this time, it was the rest of the LEAGUE - not me -who felt this was the only action to take."

To quote the Guinness boys...


BRILLIANT! :eek:


But, Rochester beat him to it.

[cglue]

just dont become a theif like Joe. Thats what I and all that follow the ABA ask.

Dont want to cheat ya to beat ya, lol.

cglue

[TheStandard]

well im not asking for you to cheat well yea cheat joe that is fair enough

[zeke41]

I feel like a statement needed to be made. Rochester, being the defending champions, needed to pull out of the playoffs to make huge enough waves for the media, public, fans, etc. put Joe and the leadership front and center, and held accountable for this mess of a league they have created. There's only so many spins that you can pull off. There's no explaining 5-6 teams (one being the defending champions) dropping out of the playoffs, especially when they are quality teams, which I think we all would agree that Rochester, Maryland, Arkansas (at least they knew how to win games), etc. are top-notch basketball clubs.

You have to have leadership that is not afraid to make decisions (let me clarrify - PROPER decisions). There was obviously not enough time spent in planning the playoffs for this year (we won't even begin to discuss the Power Rankings). Anyway, this was necessary to make a big enough statement, and I think there will be plenty of support for the PBL already, regardless of what becomes of the ABA, the playoffs, the lawsuits, etc.

[jetutty]

Why should we have to give up our home date that we earned by having the better record than that of our opponent? I really can't wrap my hands around that at all. Our home arena is the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial, not the local CC, YMCA, or HS. Is it our fault that we have a quality place to play our home games? And why on god's green earth should we bend over backwards to the benefit of the other team? They knew when the game was, I'm sure that where they are from they have access to the Weather Channel, make the necessary arrangements to get here. What kind of team doesn't travel together, all the players and coaching staff together on the same bus, plane, camels, whatever?? I listened to the interview that Joe gave to the local sports program on Friday and he just came across as shady by NEVER answering the questions straight. He got flustered when asked anything that wasn't a softball, especially when asked about other teams folding, some of the financials, and about the letter sent out to all the owners. What you need to understand is that Rochester, NY is the premier city for minor league sports in the US. PERIOD. We have 2 lacrosse teams, soccer, hockey, arena football, and baseball that are all run first class and that is what we are used to. We were apparently one of the few quality run and operated organizations in the ABA, and while it does suck that we pulled out without properly defending our championship, I know that in the long run, it was the correct decision. The ABA is NOT a well-run, thought out, or organized league, and it will collapse under the weight of its mismanagent sooner rather than later.

[cglue]

Why should we have to give up our home date that we earned by having the better record than that of our opponent? I really can't wrap my hands around that at all. Our home arena is the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial, not the local CC, YMCA, or HS. Is it our fault that we have a quality place to play our home games? And why on god's green earth should we bend over backwards to the benefit of the other team? They knew when the game was, I'm sure that where they are from they have access to the Weather Channel, make the necessary arrangements to get here. What kind of team doesn't travel together, all the players and coaching staff together on the same bus, plane, camels, whatever?? I listened to the interview that Joe gave to the local sports program on Friday and he just came across as shady by NEVER answering the questions straight. He got flustered when asked anything that wasn't a softball, especially when asked about other teams folding, some of the financials, and about the letter sent out to all the owners. What you need to understand is that Rochester, NY is the premier city for minor league sports in the US. PERIOD. We have 2 lacrosse teams, soccer, hockey, arena football, and baseball that are all run first class and that is what we are used to. We were apparently one of the few quality run and operated organizations in the ABA, and while it does suck that we pulled out without properly defending our championship, I know that in the long run, it was the correct decision. The ABA is NOT a well-run, thought out, or organized league, and it will collapse under the weight of its mismanagent sooner rather than later.



ok dude, good luck in the PBL.


cglue