Hawaii travel deal?

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

May 31, 2007:
"Hawaii has always been very supportive of an ABA team," said Joe Newman, ABA CEO. "The problem has been the cost of transportation to and from the mainland. That problem has been solved with a major airlines sponsorship that will make travel both ways as economical as traveling from Los Angeles to Sacramento.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3478820

June 28, 2007:
As always, the biggest obstacle to having a team in Hawaii is operating costs. Moss said he is in negotiations with airlines and hotels to make it more affordable. And, just like the NFL's Pro Bowl, the ABA has expressed an interest in having Hawaii host its all-star game.

http://starbulletin.com/2007/06/28/sports/story01.html

"has been solved" says Joe.
"in negotiations" says team president Moss -one month later.

Good ol' Joe.

Move Hawaii up the critical list...

[Fells]

I do have to give the team credit in that they seem to have a clue as to what they are doing. Trying to get radio and television coverage is a huge step since it will obviously help to promote the team, and keep fans involved.

The HUGE hurdle will be travel costs to and from the mainland. A sponsorship agreement has to be in place for not only the Hawaii franchise, but the rest of the teams as well, since I believe a round trip ticket from San Francisco is about $400.00. (Don't quote me on that.) $400 times 12 players, three coaches, and a trainer runs to about $6,400.00 in transportation alone. Factor in two nights in a hotel at say $75.00 per night (two to a room) is $1,200, and then meals and other expenses and it is a $10,000 road trip. I don't think any minor league franchise, much less the ABA, will be able to afford those kinds of travel expenses.

For the Hawaii franchise, their operating budget would have to come close to being at least triple that of a team that relies on bus travel alone.

Now, the other problem is in that CEO Newman stated earlier that a travel deal was already in place, but the article in the paper says they are still negotiating. Either Mr. Newman did not have his information correct, or the Hawaii franchise doesn't know a travel deal exists. Either way, there is a lack of communication there, and the two messages are one reason the league has issues with its credibililty. If there is not a deal in place, then simply say that up front. If there is, then back it up with the airline who is sponsoring the team/league and helping with travel costs.

[Sam Hill]

Now, the other problem is in that CEO Newman stated earlier that a travel deal was already in place, but the article in the paper says they are still negotiating. Either Mr. Newman did not have his information correct, or the Hawaii franchise doesn't know a travel deal exists.

Or, Joe's lying.

[besl]

The HUGE hurdle will be travel costs to and from the mainland. A sponsorship agreement has to be in place for not only the Hawaii franchise, but the rest of the teams as well, since I believe a round trip ticket from San Francisco is about $400.00. (Don't quote me on that.) $400 times 12 players, three coaches, and a trainer runs to about $6,400.00 in transportation alone. Factor in two nights in a hotel at say $75.00 per night (two to a room) is $1,200, and then meals and other expenses and it is a $10,000 road trip. I don't think any minor league franchise, much less the ABA, will be able to afford those kinds of travel expenses.

I'd say you're probably being conservative with the airfare. Considering the less than stable nature of ABA teams, a team that actually intended to fly to Hawaii wouldn't be able to buy their plane tickets too far in advance for fear of the other team folding. To reflect that, I did a quick Expedia search for a Hawaii fight from LAX two to three weeks from now, and the cheapest non-stop is over $600. You can cut costs by not bringing your entire team, but that still ratchets up the costs a bit.

I suspect there are only two teams in the West that could afford that: Bellingham and Beijing. We've all speculated that Bellingham might be gone, and now that Sun Yue has been drafted, will Beijing be back either?

And even if a team did go to Hawaii, you'd probably have to play 3 games to make it worthwhile. And in my experience, things tend get real ugly when you play the same team over and over again. That's always good for the whole "family friendly entertainment" thing.

[TheStandard]

Joe says theres a so called sponsorship. the owner says there is something the works guess what Joe lies again

[The Magician]

How that Hawaii travel deal is going?

How are those flight schedules looking ...

[utahstarsticketholder]

Here's an idea, just FEDEX the team jerseys (if there are any) and have locals from the playground play the game. That way no airfare, hotel bill and you can win every home game!!! Then FEDEX the Hawaiian jerseys to the home team and they can do the same! Everybody has a 500 record, every team in the Great Eight or Six depending on if the ABA suspends the team for failing to meet league rules. Then off to the playoffs, one road trip to the great eight or six or four! Problem solved! jack and cheryl
Remember our troops

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Some old Joe...

May 31, 2007:
"Hawaii has always been very supportive of an ABA team," said Joe Newman, ABA CEO. "The problem has been the cost of transportation to and from the mainland. That problem has been solved with a major airlines sponsorship that will make travel both ways as economical as traveling from Los Angeles to Sacramento.
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3478820

August 12, 2007:
One thing that remains to be worked out for the Hurricanes is an airline to fly to away-games, but Moss said that would be secured when the ABA schedule is completely wrapped up. Currently, 31 of the 36 games of the season are confirmed, he said, with the first starting Nov. 11.

http://starbulletin.com/2007/08/12/sports/story07.html

No mention, by the way, of travel TO games in Hawaii. How can something have 'been solved' when there is nothing finalized?

[Sam Hill]

How can something have 'been solved' when there is nothing finalized?

Just like years ago when Joe said a TV deal was done and then a few days later said he was going out to put the "finishing touches" on the TV deal.

Joe's lying. What else is new?

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Just like years ago when Joe said a TV deal was done and then a few days later said he was going out to put the "finishing touches" on the TV deal.

Joe's lying. What else is new?

the sun came up today...