NBDL to expand to 18?

[JAKMAN]

From today's Fayetville paper:

"Speculation has the NBDL expanding to as many as 18 teams next season, with three "pods" of six teams located in different regions of the country.

The Patriots will likely play in the Southern pod along with Charleston, Huntsville and three other cities. There would also be groups in the New York-New Jersey region and another in the Midwest."

Hmm....this article uses a lot of talk about "pods." Gary Hunter and the CBA use a lot of talk about "pods." Talking about teams in the Midwest and NY/NJ? Should we start the merger talk again?

[SignGuyDino]

I think merger is going to be a high priority.

The NBDL is trying to position themselves to increase by merger and/or expansion.

The NBDL could end some of the doubts by committing to at least another three years, right now. Of course, that can't happen in Asheville, they either have to exercise the 7-year option by May 2004 or they leave in Sept. 2004. The contract WAS written with the idea that the City was going to address our garbage Civic Center. I think they would be willing to renegotiate at least extending the first part under current guidelines by three years if Asheville was going to move on the Civic Center. The sport shell game vote the City took two weeks ago to bring in the WHA2 (with no upgrades, I might add) is the same "no confidence" vote they made on the hockey Asheville Smoke two years ago, and I don't care what the politicians claim otherwise. A blind man can see it.

If the NBDL were to leave Asheville, unlike Greenville and Mobile, it won't be because of attendance. I don't care what diplomacy they say now, the reality is the NBDL said Macon was a better choice for them than Asheville, and only chose Asheville due to it's "potential." (Translation: They expected some goodies in a renovated or rebuilt arena.) They're going to say Asheville can't deliver on promises. Bank on it. And yes, the CBA has some good things going for it, but they didn't deliver LeBron James and the Cavs v. the Hawks in Asheville. The NBA did. They did it because Asheville had the biggest improvement in ticket sales in the NBDL And frankly, as fun as that was, that's nothing in excitement if Fayettenam or Asheville hosted Charlotte v. New Orleans in the Bobcat's first preason game (ok, that's a hypothetical). That won't happen once the Altitude leaves in May, though.

I think the NBA HAS to have a minor league, if for any reason to give the ultimate threat to certain malcontent players in the Association. Nobody cares if a player is sent down for rehabbing a bum knee. They do care if a player gets sent down for actin' up (You hearin' me, Bonzi?) And frankly, they need programming for NBATV.

I only see 4 of the 6 current NBDL teams moving on in a merged NBDL/CBA, but all those teams together will make a solid base for expansion to a legit minor basketball league. I think the NBDL should emphasize that they will field the team in a local city for two years tops, but local owners can buy them out, if the NBA covers the cost of the players that actually is not a bad deal for investors.

But people make too big a deal about Greenville and Mobile folding. Who cares? Virtually every minor and major pro league has had contraction. The real question is what do they do from here?

[JAKMAN]

Thanks Dino.

The CBA plans to play w/ 9 teams next season, maybe more depending on who folds or not over the off season.

If the NBDL stays at their number, 4-6, that would put it in the speculation range.

To be continued.

[SignGuyDino]

The NBDL is quoted in papers a month or two ago as pursuing Elmira NY (I even had an editorial published in the Star-Gazette about it), and even Atlantic City, but have heard squat about it since.

Supposedly, they will sell franchises to local owners for $250K (maybe over 5 years), I think the NBA would pay for the players. The local owner I guess would pay the cost of running the games in his town. Not much different from A level baseball, where the big leagues pay most of the player salaries.

With enough teams, that actually might work. The CBA, howeve, can't just presume there will be a merger, obviously considering the expansion they are already working on.

[SignGuyDino]

The NBDL better do something quick. Their attendance for the games tonight was disgraceful.

Huntsville @ Roanoke 814
Asheville @ Charleston 448
Columbus @ Fayetteville around 500 (according to local newspaper)

They need to announce they are going to commit for another three years. If folks are conditioned to think, "Well, they're leaving," why put in the emotional investment for a team? Simple...common...sense.

Also, they need to form booster clubs. This is the third year. It's almost unforgivable they don't have booster clubs set up by now. Willing slave labor there.

They also need to offer personalized jerseys. I wouldn't mind ordering an Altitude jersey with the new logo with my name and number on it if they would simply offer it for a fair price.

While they're at it, they could set up an NBDL All Star Game, or what I've been advocating on this board for at least two years: An NBDL/CBA All-Star Game, for their All-Star Game Weekend. They CAN do it. They should have it before the 3 point contest and dunk contest on All Star Saturday.

And I was going to suggest the NBDL may outlast the WNBA (they aren't losing nearly as much on NBDL as they are on the WNBA), until I saw those numbers tonight (a FRIDAY night). Nevermind. :oops:

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Todd DeMoss was the GM for Gary at the beginning of last season, but left for the NBDL. I forgot which team, but my guess would be that it WASN'T Charleston. I went to the Charleston site after reading the last post to get a better understanding of what is going on with attendance.

The first thing Todd did when he came to Gary was lower the ticket prices. Previously, Gary prices were $10, $14, $37, and $50 for "Nicholson seats". Fans stayed away in droves. Now they are $5, $10, $12, $25, and the expensive "Nicholson seats" are not even offered for sale anymore. Fans can get in for 5 bucks. Attendance appears to be up 50% over last year's numbers. Last year's numbers (never dropping below 1,000) were up from the "pre" Todd DeMoss era.

According to the Charleston website, the Charleston prices range from $12.50 to $30. That seems a bit expensive for minor league ball. Also, the arena seems too large for the NBDL--almost NBA size. Is there a more intimate venue in Charleston? One that will provide a better fan atmosphere?

[SignGuyDino]

It's all the battle of expectations. Had they said, "We're going to play this league out for three years, because we really believe in having a minor league," instead of arrogantly proclaiming, "We're gonna have at least 4,000 a game," they wouldn't be in this mess. I still remember quite well that arrogant yankee jerk Rod Levine promise that when he made that presenation in Asheville. Had they said, "If we get 1,000 a game, that's fine starting out, we're willing to develop this slowly," they'd get a lot more. Southern folk take to humility first very well and hate arrogance.

They should have said, "Look, we have to have the same team logos for now, but new ones will be released May 1, 2002." "We have to field the team at first, we anticipate getting local owners by May 1, 2003." "We're going to have booster clubs right away." "We aren't going to try to take the world over in a year, like the XFL."

To anyone else who happens to have a lot of cash willing to start a pro league, take notes. (Especially you, Mr. Cuban, because a lot of us here dig you a lot.)

There ARE a LOT of things they are doing right......now. A lot of people haven't noticed them because they've been turned off from the start. That leads to the suggestions I and a lot of other posters in here have suggested for some time now.