Chuck the Writer
04-01-2007, 08:29 AM
It will be announced later today on NBA.com that Joe Newman, after three years as Chief Executive Officer of the American Basketball Association, has been hand-picked by David Stern, NBA Commissioner, to operate the NBA Developmental League, commencing with the 2007-2008 season.
"In an effort to make our NBA Developmental League grow to the point where there will be 30 nationwide franchises, one for each NBA team," said Stern, "I have hired Mr. Newman to oversee the D-League and help it to grow. I have received reports about his success in making what was originally an 8-team league grow into a 55-team circuit last year, with plans to increase ABA enrollment to 70 franchises next season. We need that kind of man working for the NBA, and I am pleased to announce that we have hired him."
In addition to the hiring of Newman, the NBA has also hired ABA Director of Business Operations, Brad Hester, to operate the league's new schedule. Several rules that have proven popular in the ABA, including a "3-D" rule that allows for an extra bonus point if a team forces a turnover in the backcourt, will be added to the NBA Developmental League on an experimental basis.
"David Stern is an honorable man," said Newman, "and just because he works out of a major high-rise office in New York City, doesn't mean he isn't down-to-earth and ethical. In fact, instead of commencing the hiring in a stuffy corporate boardroom, we sealed the deal over breakfast at a McDonald's in New York City."
Along with Newman and Hester, several ABA franchises will play an inter-league series with the D-League. In addition, the ABA will now be recognized as an official developmental league for the NBA, and will receive a $5 million stipend for league operations and other projects.
"I admire Mr. Newman's moxie and spirit," said Stern. "He reported to me that 98% of his franchises have proven successful, have completed all their scheduled games, and have hosted their playoffs in front of thousands of fans in sold-out coliseums and arenas throughout the United States - in some cases, actually moving a team's home games to larger facilities to handle the growing number of supporters and fans. Newman also has convinced me that teams can be profitable while offering fan-friendly basketball at affordable prices."
An exhibition game will take place on Sunday, April 15, when the Sioux Falls Skyforce travel to Indiana to face the Sauk Valley Rollers in an NBA-ABA "summit" game. In addition, Stern has agreed to sell outright the words "American Basketball Association" and "ABA", as well as the iconic image of the red white and blue basketball, to Newman's company in exchange for shares of ABA stock.
In the attached photograph, which will be later released on NBA.com, Joe Newman (left) shakes hands with David Stern, who holds a brand new red-white-and-blue Spalding basketball.
http://www.elon.edu/images/e-web/pendulum/April-Fool-ILLUS.jpg
"In an effort to make our NBA Developmental League grow to the point where there will be 30 nationwide franchises, one for each NBA team," said Stern, "I have hired Mr. Newman to oversee the D-League and help it to grow. I have received reports about his success in making what was originally an 8-team league grow into a 55-team circuit last year, with plans to increase ABA enrollment to 70 franchises next season. We need that kind of man working for the NBA, and I am pleased to announce that we have hired him."
In addition to the hiring of Newman, the NBA has also hired ABA Director of Business Operations, Brad Hester, to operate the league's new schedule. Several rules that have proven popular in the ABA, including a "3-D" rule that allows for an extra bonus point if a team forces a turnover in the backcourt, will be added to the NBA Developmental League on an experimental basis.
"David Stern is an honorable man," said Newman, "and just because he works out of a major high-rise office in New York City, doesn't mean he isn't down-to-earth and ethical. In fact, instead of commencing the hiring in a stuffy corporate boardroom, we sealed the deal over breakfast at a McDonald's in New York City."
Along with Newman and Hester, several ABA franchises will play an inter-league series with the D-League. In addition, the ABA will now be recognized as an official developmental league for the NBA, and will receive a $5 million stipend for league operations and other projects.
"I admire Mr. Newman's moxie and spirit," said Stern. "He reported to me that 98% of his franchises have proven successful, have completed all their scheduled games, and have hosted their playoffs in front of thousands of fans in sold-out coliseums and arenas throughout the United States - in some cases, actually moving a team's home games to larger facilities to handle the growing number of supporters and fans. Newman also has convinced me that teams can be profitable while offering fan-friendly basketball at affordable prices."
An exhibition game will take place on Sunday, April 15, when the Sioux Falls Skyforce travel to Indiana to face the Sauk Valley Rollers in an NBA-ABA "summit" game. In addition, Stern has agreed to sell outright the words "American Basketball Association" and "ABA", as well as the iconic image of the red white and blue basketball, to Newman's company in exchange for shares of ABA stock.
In the attached photograph, which will be later released on NBA.com, Joe Newman (left) shakes hands with David Stern, who holds a brand new red-white-and-blue Spalding basketball.
http://www.elon.edu/images/e-web/pendulum/April-Fool-ILLUS.jpg