Casey Family...

[Hoops101]

Does anyone know what Mike and Don Casey are up to? It seems like they knew what they were doing when they were with the Fame.

[The Magician]

Interview with Mike Casey, former VP of Operations for the Hollywood Fame.
by Gianni Pascucci - Jan 27, 2007

Just after we knew what happened in Hollywood, we asked to Mike Casey some comments about the Fame situtation.

Just after we knew what happened in Hollywood, we asked to Mike Casey some comments about the Fame situtation. This down is what he answered:

USBASKET: Dear Mike, it is true that serious financial straits could force the Hollywood Fame to cease operations ?

"Gianni, there is always the question of finance for any team but when the owner only gives a team 8 home games to play and 22 road games it really ties your hands to get the Corporate Sponsorship that any team needs. Owners will always worry about the financial situation so when he starts to threaten to cut players salaries that is not a good sign. I was told that he could not afford my salary anymore and I was told to work on setting up tours for the summer and get paid on a commision base."

USBASKET: Have the players and coaches been payed entirely or not ?

"Players and Coaches and employees never missed a paycheck. I was being paid good money and I even told the owner that I would take a pay cut to help the situation and that fell on deaf ears. Coach Don Casey also said he would take a pay cut and the Casey family were the ones to leave. Coach retired and I was dismissed. Jamison Brewer left the team because of his loyalty to me and he even said he would forgo his paycheck to help. He was our highest paid player.

USBASKET: When did you experienced for the first time the financial problems of the team?

"As I stated the financial problems will always be there for any business but not to the extent that this owner put himself in. You just don't get involved with certain deals that put the team behind the eight ball as my owner did!"

USBASKET: What about the future of this strange league?

"The League still has some kinks to iron out. Certain Teams should not be playing but overall this is the best year that the League has had since I have been involved with the ABA and that has been 3 years now. A couple of teams have folded and not too many games have been canceled compared to the past years. I look forward to my next stop and I have already contacted other teams as well as the Clippers."

Thanks, Mike, and good luck to you and to all the ABA