ABA - You got to be kidding me!!

[Tha Man*]

OK whoever is behind the expansion of this league must be offering them for less than $1,000 a franchise. I mean come on; you have a season where players don’t get paid, a season where it doesn't look like they are going to finish and then a season that they have around 6 to 8 teams some of them who have problems with an arena. Attendance is up only when Master P, or Dennis Rodman play. Now for the upcoming season they are expanding to 23 other cities outside the originals from last season some of them up against NBA markets. What the Hell is their goal? To ruin minor league basketball in any market that the other Leagues have been looking at? I guess we will have too see if half the teams they are announcing will play… I hope this just this isn’t a publicity stunt, because it isn’t that funny!

[CMc]

According to an Indianapolis Star story las month, There are no "Franchize Fees." The only payment ($10,000) is a "Rights Fee" for their market.

So far, that total is ONLY up to $240,000. not a lot of money for the 7 temas from last year plus the league offices, when you spit it up. Thats about $30,000 per share.

Personally, I think the BIG expansion is the right thing. Travel costs are the killer in Minor League pro sports. Grouping teams in 3-4 different regions, but still being a NATIONAL league, should be more cost effective for the franchises.

Plus, they SEEM to be way ahead on secureing players/staff and venues than previous seasons.

[Tha Man*]

But don't you think by opening it up to anyone with little to no franchise fee it will cause instability? I mean Come on, talking about a swinging door, teams will be able to open and close pretty easy with little to no guarentee how long they will be in a market. Just because the teams are close together doesn't make it a viable resourse for players, coaches and the communties involved.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Heck, travel is going to be expensive either way you slice it. Under capitalized owners are the real killers in minor league sports, as illustrated in the article below:

http://www.tricities.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=TRI%2FMGArticle%2FTRI_BasicArti cle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031775883465&path=/sports/localsports&s=

While the article pertains to the WBA, I see the same scenario repeating itself for most (yes, I said most) of the ABA franchises this upcoming season. There are too many people (potential owners?) out there who do not have a clue about the cost of running a franchise--more ego than money. They seem to be counting on the gate to solve all their problems, but as the owner in the above article states--he has only earned $91 from ticket sales so far. Since he still owes the coaches and players back pay, then I guess the ninety-one bucks must be gross and not net earnings.

Just as a side note--does ANYONE want to pay Ricky Benitez? Has he lasted a full season anywhere? I remember when the Gary Steelheads released him during the season. He left New Jersey of the ABA after one game. Now he's left this Bristol WBA team. Maybe it's time to find a new profession.