ABA's Hurricane Katrina Efforts

[The Magician]

Here's what the ABA had to offer ...

ASK THE CEO - NBA VS. ABA EXHIBITION GAME?
http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2005091906004

Question from Mario in LA: "Would the ABA be willing to challenge the NBA to an exhibition game with the proceeds going to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Funds?"

"ABA CEO: Would we be willing to challenge them to a game with the proceeds going to the relief fund? In a heartbeat."

"However, the one thing that we would insist upon is that the ticket prices are fan-friendly and affordable to all - perhaps a flat rated $20 per ticket."


And here's how the NBA contributed ...

http://www.thefreelibrary.com

NBA Week on ''Wheel of Fortune'' Raises More Than $350,000 for Charity, Including over $200,000 to Aid Hurricane Relief Efforts

Fifteen top NBA stars, WNBA players and NBA legends have teamed up with America's favorite game show, Wheel of Fortune, to raise more than $350,000 for a variety of charities. Of the funds raised, more than $200,000 will be donated to the American Red Cross for the victims of Hurricane Katrina as part of Wheel of Fortune's NBA Week, airing October 31 through November 4 in national syndication (check local listings for station and time).

Hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White will cheer on the 15 players, each partnered with an NBA fan from their team's city. This exciting week of shows coincides with the NBA's Premiere Week, and opens the league's 60th season. Each fan will be playing for cash and one-of-a-kind, NBA-themed prizes, including a VIP trip to the 2006 NBA All-Star Game in Houston.

NBA Week on Wheel of Fortune is part of NBA Cares, the NBA's new initiative that will feature the league, players and teams raising and contributing more than $100 million for charity, donating more than one million hours of hands-on volunteer service to communities worldwide, and building more than 100 places where kids can learn and play over the next five years.

Wheel of Fortune's NBA Week player appearance schedule and charity information is as follows:

Monday (10/31):
---------------------------------
Richard Jefferson-New Jersey Nets
Greater Arizona Christian
Community Foundation
Luke Walton-Los Angeles Lakers
Families Forever,
American Red Cross
Bill Walton-NBA Legend
Retired Players Association,
American Red Cross

Tuesday (11/1):
--------------------------------
Emeka Okafor - Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte YMCA,
American Red Cross
Ben Gordon - Chicago Bulls
Boys & Girls CLub of Mt. Vernon,
New York
Richard "Rip" Hamilton - Detroit Pistons
Rip City Foundation,
American Red Cross

Wednesday (11/2):
--------------------------------
Ray Allen-Seattle Sonics
American Red Cross
Becky Hammon-New York Liberty
American Red Cross
Mike Bibby-Sacramento Kings
Boys and Girls Club of Sacramento,
American Red Cross

Thursday (11/3):
----------------------------------
Baron Davis-Golden State Warriors
American Red Cross
Carmelo Anthony-Denver Nuggets
Habitat for Humanity
Kenny Smith-TNT NBA Studio Analyst
American Red Cross

Friday (11/4):
------------------------------------
Robert Horry-San Antonio Spurs
The Rise School of Tuscaloosa
Bobby Simmons-Milwaukee Bucks
Chicago Public Schools,
American Red Cross
Amare Stoudemire-Phoenix Suns
Boys and Girls Club of Metro Phoenix,
American Red Cross

"We're thrilled to have some of the biggest names in basketball partner with America's Game to provide much-needed help with the relief efforts in the Gulf Coast," said Wheel of Fortune Executive Producer Harry Friedman. "We're proud that Wheel of Fortune helped to raise over $200,000 to help aid the relief efforts of Hurricane Katrina."

The contestant from the team with the week's highest total cash-prize winnings will be the envy of basketball fans everywhere, as he or she will win some very special prizes, courtesy of the NBA, including a trip for four to the 2006 NBA All-Star Game in Houston, which includes VIP access to NBA All-Star Events.

Additional special prizes featured on NBA Week include:

--NBA apparel provided by Reebok, a high-end NBA portable Backboard System, an Official NBA Basketball Cart full of NBA & WNBA Basketballs from Spalding, NBA Memorabilia and a DIRECTV(R) System and Service, including an NBA LEAGUE PASS Subscription.

--A trip to the 2006-2007 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot, sponsored by Topps and Upper Deck, to watch the NBA rookies pose for their first NBA trading cards.

--A trip to the Electronic Arts Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, including a behind-the-scenes tour, a video game system with an EA Sports library of games, an official NBA Jersey, NBA Basketball and copy of NBA LIVE 06 - all autographed by NBA LIVE 06 spokesman Dwyane Wade.

--A trip to PlayStation(R)'s studio in San Diego, California, including a Motion Capture Session with Ray Allen, a cameo in Sony's next NBA video game, a PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system with a copy of NBA '06, PlayStation merchandise, and an official NBA Jersey, NBA basketball, and copy of NBA '06 - all autographed by NBA '06 spokesman Ray Allen.

--An NBA at Home Package, including an NBA leather sofa, chair, ottoman, LCD Televisions, skybox vending machine, bar table and stools, wool rug and an NBA DVD Collection.

--WNBA All-Star Experience package, including behind-the-scenes access during the 2006 WNBA All-Star Weekend

--4 Southwest Airlines Roundtrip Tickets

--$1,000 Champs Sports Shopping Spree

--$1,000 NBAStore.com Shopping Spree

--Trip to the world's only NBA Store on Fifth Avenue in New York City

Wheel of Fortune fans watching at home during NBA Week will also have a special chance to win prizes through the Wheel's NBA Week Scratch, Watch 'N Win Game with Champs Sports*.

Beginning October 19, 2005 and continuing through November 4, 2005, nearly 600 Champs Sports locations around the country will distribute scratch-off Game Pieces to customers following their purchase of merchandise at Champs Sports. Five lucky viewers with Game Pieces that exactly match any one of the five Bonus Round Puzzle Solutions revealed on-air during NBA Week shows will win great prizes - including a fabulous trip to the 2006 NBA All-Star Game in Houston.

Founded in 1946, the NBA has become a global phenomenon that transcends national boundaries. With 30 teams in the United States and Canada, the league has captured the public's imagination, as the world's greatest athletes compete at the highest level of basketball.

The NBA is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on helping youth. Each year, the NBA, its teams and players donate million of dollars and thousands of hours to charities and community outreach programs, including Read to Achieve, a national reading effort supported by the entire NBA, WNBA and NBA Development League family.

Wheel of Fortune is the #1 program in the history of syndicated television. This year, it marks its 23rd season in syndication and is seen by 19 million viewers each evening in the U.S. Wheel of Fortune is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, and distributed domestically by King World Productions. The series is distributed internationally by CBS Paramount International Television.

Can you say ... WOW ... to that!

"Way to go NBA ... We Salute You!" :-D


The ABA CEO Scratching his head, feeling puzzled??? : "But I know we would have sold out a capacity crowd of 18,000 at one of our largest ABA venues, generated $360,000 before sponsorships, TV and other income. And we would have done it well, and done it properly. I honestly believed an ABA/NBA exhibition game would have generated over a million dollars for the victims of Hurricane Katrina ... and the ABA would have even donated $50,000 to start the fund." ( :rolleyes: )

[Fells]

I hate to say it, but I am going to give Joe credit on this one. Making the proposed game affordable would give fans the ability to see NBA players at less than one arm, one leg, some blood, and the first born child of the fans in attendance. NBA games are terribly overpriced and the average fan cannot afford to go to a game. $20.00 a ticket would have given fans a chance to see a game and not go broke at the same time.

[a1sports]

The ABA/NBA game would never happen....Dont forget for the past few years JoJo liked to fire off letters to the NBA from his attorneys telling the NBA ( NBDL) not to tamper with "his" ABA teams etc etc. JoJo burned that bridge long ago. So his mentioning the potential ABA-NBA game was all Jojo-promo.

Again look at all the ABA press releases and look what came to fruition....very little if anything. its all HYPE with no substanance.

[Sam Hill]

As part of the deal after the lockout lo these many years ago, don't NBA teams have to put a certain number of $10 seats on sale for each game? They're crap seats, sure, but you don't HAVE to give up an arm and a leg to see NBA players.

[scooterj]

Jeez... now the bashers are so addicted to their obsession that they're reaching back 2 years for things to b1tch about? Pathetic.

[TEN]

I know that the Hornets a quite a few 10 dollar tickets in the upper deck in Oklahoma City the last two years. I sat up there four or five times and thought it was a heck of a good deal!

They also had $25 tickets that were good as well.

[zeke41]

Jeez... now the bashers are so addicted to their obsession that they're reaching back 2 years for things to b1tch about? Pathetic.

Shows you how important a company's history is - it affects the credibility tremendously, and...in this day and age of mass communication via the internet, there's not a short memory! If a company's CEO wants to sell a pipe dream, every means of disabling him from doing so should be utilized. I worked for two ABA owners who exploited my dream to play to get me to work for peanuts. These owners were placed by Mr. Joe Newman himself, and when asked to be held accountable, both times he said my issues should be directed at those two owners - not the ABA. Ohh...really? So after the check clears, your job as CEO is done, right JOE!!! WRONG!

[Fells]

Jeez... now the bashers are so addicted to their obsession that they're reaching back 2 years for things to b1tch about? Pathetic.

You don't seem to understand that this is a pattern that has developed by the administration of the ABA. There have been problems since the reincarnation of this league, and the problems continue. If the problems had surfaced, the league had been honest about them, and then performed corrective actions, much of the bad mouthing of the league would not be happening. Instead, the problems are still there, and there is total denial by the ABA that they do have serious issues.

Until the league admits their problems and does something positive to correct them, I will continue to be a critic of the league. When I see progress, I will be the first to point out they are making positive strides towards success.

The league has some great owners in Alex Wolff, Darren Cioffi and others. I just wish the league would do a service to its fans and recruit owners who market their franchises, are as open to the media and fans, and who strive for excellence as much as these two have done and continue to do.

[The Magician]

Jeez... now the bashers are so addicted to their obsession that they're reaching back 2 years for things to b1tch about? Pathetic.

Let my first say ... That many individuals and groups of people in and around the basketball world, gave wholeheartedly to the Katrina Recovery effort. And, I personally would like to them all!

Now, let me take this opportunity to explain the underlying reason for my post under this thread.

Whether in life, or on the basketball court, there are individuals and collections of people within organizations who are leaders - people who personify a neverceasing and unrelenting dedication toward reaching goals, which trancend any and all challenges that may be faced in sport, or in the here and now.

I'm using the Katrina post as an example of how these benevolent contributors get things done ... and make a difference!

Just look at all the charity and excitement that was generated by the Wheel of Fortune's NBA Week!

IMO, that's a great amount of work, execution and contribution ...

Then take a look at what the ABA attempted to do; without success.

How much time did the ABA spend on trying to make the event happen?

Yes, I know the NBA has the brand, the money, the resources, the relationships, the communications, the fan value, etc ...

But ... What, the ABA CEO spent about 5 minutes reading an e-mail, constructing a paragraph for a response, then e-mailing his response and then utilizing his response as a press release, trying to engage the NBA, in joining up for a worthwhile cause. (Some might say, it was more of a challenge to the NBA, than good will gesture?)

When is the ABA going to learn ... :confused:

That you have to put some "extreme" effort into making things happen.

To date, The ABA has proven that it wants everybody else to do the work and pay for it too!

And thus, Why do we reach back two years for something to talk about?

Because History repeats itself scooterj ... and the ABA makes the same identical malevolent and irreparable mistakes year after year.

And that my friend, I think is really "PATHETIC!"

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

This brings me back to one of the most enjoyable exchanges Joe and I had on the old Yahoo board. Please indulge my walk down memory lane:


From: Adam/NJ
To: ababasketball@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 5:28:25 PM

It's good to know such a well-spoken person is in charge of the ABA. It certainly bodes well for its long-term success...

conniejoenewman@aol.com wrote:
From: conniejoenewman@aol.com
To: abaredwhiteblue@yahoo.com

Adam. Thanks for the email. You are stupid. And you are boring. You know nothing.
Just a gnat. Find someone else to itch.

Joe Newman
ABA CEO

-----Original Message-----
From: Adam/NJ
To: conniejoenewman@aol.com; ababasketball@yahoogroups.com

Why Joe - would that be a threat? Of course, if you need to call to order this 'spray' you are looking for, then I know you'll never actually get it.

Unlike you, I have never claimed to know everything; however, I do know enough to know when I should defer to those who possess the requisite knowledge to get something done.

As you have done for months, though, you seem wholly incapable of answering a simple, direct question. Why have you never called the NBA directly about this game? A glance at any of the internet boards dedicated to minor league sports - and the ABA specifically (which I'm sure you are fully aware of) - have asked the same question. The consensus (and most of these people have a keen interest in the ABA and its ultimate success, and more people on those boards are aware of this ABA/NBA "offer" than the rest of the country) is that the ABA is right to do something for the Gulf Coast, but question the ability of you and the league to pull together an event of this magnitude. The fact that the league has a less-than stellar track record in promoting and executing events (the trip to Mongolia, the All-Star game, ABASL, the summer league in Mississippi, the trip to Egypt, the playoffs last season), coupled with your utter disdain for doing somehing as simple as make telephone call before promising this grand spectacle only adds to the negative image of the league's management. In spite of the hard work of so many teams, they will be lumped in with the fiascos that continue to haunt the ABA, even after six years of operation - and instituting mandatory standards (remember the June 1 "deadline") that are barely worth the paper they were printed upon. How many teams still need a place to play, get their website up, hire the staff, and fulfill the rest of the requirements you put in place to allow them to play this year? Based on the data available on ABAlive, at least 20% of the listed teams still have not met your requirements.

I sincerely hope the ABA is able to raise millions of dollars for relief - but based on past history (and your lack of follow-up - asking the charities to call on your behalf???), it doesn't seem likely. If there isn't a plan B - and there have been a number of very good ideas discussed here and elsewhere that the ABA could incorporate - hopefully someone is putting something else together now, instead of waiting for an answer from Mr. Stern before proceeding.

But, call me some more names if it makes you feel better. Just try to be more original with the comments (although this latest one was pretty good, even for you)..

conniejoenewman@aol.com wrote:
Adam. Thanks for the email. You seem to know everything about everything. Is there a spray that I can use to get rid of you, perhaps a computer "bug light" that can zap you.
You are a ridiculous, obsessed young man. And you do need some help.

Joe Newman
ABA CEO

-----Original Message-----
From: Adam/NJ
To: conniejoenewman@aol.com; ABABasketball@yahoogroups.com
Cc: joenewman@abalive.com

You are planning an event without actually contacting the invited group. You are harping each day about this event, announcing all the activities surrounding it, but are incapable of picking up the phone - the same one you have used for countless due diligence conversations of potential ownership groups - and calling the primary drawing card. You answer the "hundreds" of emails you receive, and find the time to send me some of (by your lofty standards) less than inspired comments and zingers - but you can't find 5 minutes over 10 days to make one telephone call to the 212 area code. But I'm stupid...... OK.

At least - based on how poorly this event has been planned - we all know who planned your wedding and reception. Had you been in charge, you would still be waiting for your bride to hear about the ceremony in the first place.

conniejoenewman@aol.com wrote:
Adam. Thanks for the email. Your stupidity is only exceeded by your arrogance. You are a foul young man who is obsessed with the ABA. Shameful.

Joe Newman
ABA CEO

-----Original Message-----
From: Adam/NJ
To: conniejoenewman@aol.com; ABABasketball@yahoogroups.com
Cc: joenewman@abalive.com

OK Joe, I'll seek help using your method...

I'll just sit here and talk about it repeatedly, dreaming of meeting up with the leading people in the industry, and talking about my ideas for a dinner meeting with them. Hopefully, someone will tell someone about it, and news of it will trickle to their office, and - hope against hope - they will call me and take me up on my offer. I won't actually CALL them, though; that wouldn't be the Newman way.

It's really simple, Joe, call the NBA and ask. And if you haven't/won't, why not?

conniejoenewman@aol.com wrote:
Adam. Thanks for your comments. You make obsession seem fashionable. You are one goofy young man with nothing to do. Why not focus on something constructive with your life? Or seek some help.

Joe Newman
ABA CEO

-----Original Message-----
From: Adam/NJ
To: ABABasketball@yahoogroups.com
Cc: joenewman@abalive.com

How can Joe Newman know the NBA is "discussing it"? He has yet - 10 days into this spectacle - to pick up the phone and directly contact the NBA for their answer. Now he wants the Red Cross and other charity groups to call the NBA and push them, when he can't/won't do it himself? Pathetic.

The NBA opens its season on November 1. There is absolutely no way its teams would have their players participate so close to opening day. They are making their final cuts at that point, after playing their full preseason schedule. The NBA players that would make this fantasy worthwhile would not be permitted by their teams to participate; there is way too much guaranteed money in those contracts to lose them for a hastily-planned exhibition.

Nobody is looking at the NBA as "bad guys" - its players and management put their time, efforts and money forth almost immediately, and continued to do so throughout the days that followed. To even hint otherwise is a slap in their face.

This charade has gone on for far too long (with virtually NO national media coverage, other than Joe's daily comments - a simple internet search will show the lack of coverage). If the ABA is going to do something, then just do it (is there even a plan B under discussion?). Call the NBA yourself - (212) 407-8000 - and end this PR stunt (that has generated little publicity anyway).

I would say shame on you - but you have displayed time and again that you indeed have no shame in the first place. The NBA and its partners don't deserve even a hint of criticism for this little charade. It you were truly serious about it, you would have personally contacted the NBA before even posting these messages. I am curious why you chose never to call. Were you afraid they wouldn't take your call, or that you would not be taken seriously?

It's too bad for those franchises in the league that really do have a conscience and are making every effort to grow their organizations - as well as those who have already done so much for the Gulf victims. There are so many different things the ABA could have done (and could still do) to promote the league and help out these people. Instead, your obsession with this delusion will make anything the league eventually does look like it was slapped together at the last minute.

Adam <abaredwhiteblue@yahoo.com> wrote:
ASK THE CEO - DID THE NBA AGREE?

28-Sep-2005
Question from Barbara F in West Palm Beach, FL: "Did the NBA agree
to a game with you (for Katrina/Rita)?

Answer: Barbara. Thank you for the email. No, not yet, though we
hear that they have heard about the offer and are discussing it.
Keep in mind that the NBA, the teams and the players are not "bad
guys." They've done some extraordinary things for Hurricane Katrina
victims and should be thanked and praised for their great support
and generosity. But is is just one more simple thing they could do,
one more way to generate substantial revenue for a need that is
definitely on-going. We've even heard from someone who has offered
to fly in some Hurricane Katrina victims to the game as special and
honored guests. Wouldn't that be nice? And we know that the American
Red Cross and Salvation Army and all of the other worthy causes
would be grateful. Perhaps some of them can make a call and see if
the NBA might consider this. On another note, Barbara, I've received
a few critical e-mails suggest this is an ABA publicity stunt. All I
can say is shame on you. Yes, this would benefit the ABA with good
publicity just as it would benefit the NBA with good publicity. But
the real beneficiaries would be Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims.
As Martha Stewart would say..."This is a good thing."

Keep in mind that Joe never apparently contacted the NBA even once throughout this episode. In addition, Chuck pointed out that - due to NBAPA by-laws - the game could never take place, at least under Joe's nebulous rules.

When that was posted on the Yahoo board, Joe blamed me.

I miss those days...;)

[The Magician]

This brings me back to one of the most enjoyable exchanges Joe and I had on the old Yahoo board. Please indulge my walk down memory lane:

ABARWB ... Thanks for posting that!

I think those exchanges pretty much sum it all up ...

"Way to go Joe!" :rolleyes:

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Here we go again:
http://oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3507046
Ask the CEO
07/14/07 - American Basketball Association (ABA)

• Discuss this story on the American Basketball Association message board...
Question from Ryan P, Los Angeles: "I know this is a hard question, but how do you think the ABA players rate against the NBDL players?"
Answer: Ryan, thanks for the question. It is often asked. It probably would be better answered by a coach or professional scout. But since this is Ask the CEO, I will give my opinion. Based on conversations with the coaches in our league and many of the former NBA players associated with the league and our officials, I would suggest that the players in the ABA are every bit as good as the players in the NBDL and many of our players are better. In fact, we believe that many of our players are better than some of the players that occupy spaces on the benches of NBA teams.

Our players complete in summer leagues against both NBDL and NBA players and more than hold their own. I have had many suggestions that the ABA challenge the NBDL to an All Star Game. ABA All Stars versus NBDL All Stars. We would do it in a minute if the NBA would agree to it. The only caveat would be that we play the ABA rules for at least one half of the game. We would play it at an NBDL site, an ABA site or a neutral site.

I think that what is more important that who is better - NBDL players or ABA players - is the fact that both leagues do provide outstanding quality basketball played by highly-skilled players and do it at affordable prices for the fans. We both provide fast-paced, exciting basketball that whole families can enjoy. So, whether they're better or we're better is not the main issue. We believe that fans get their money's worth every time they buy a ticket. But I think an All Star Game between the two leagues would be fun.

Maybe we can be like Jericho on TV. Get a petition up, create a groundswell of fan support, send it to David Stern or the NBDL - and see what happens. Again, thanks for the question. If you have a question, email conniejoenewman@aol.com.

Because you can be damn sure Joe will not pick up the phone and call the NBA directly about the possibility ( see my memory lane stroll in this thread). He will talk about it, encourage others to contact the NBA, paint a shameful image of the NBA, and play the big-hearted victim - just as he did two years ago.

He will NEVER actually do anything productive toward such an event, however - just as he did two years ago.

This is the kind of crap any well-meaning ABA supporter is unfortunately forced to deal with year in, year out.

[TheStandard]

the NBA would not do it in the first place. NBA uses credible leagues and teams. As you may have seen the NBA does play Euroleague teams in exhibition games.