Deja New(man)

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

For some of the newbies here - and to show that disdain and distrust for the leader of the kitchen cabinet exist other than on this board - I thought I'd post some of the media coverage Joe has received in the past.

You know, those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it...

First up - the demise of the Las Vegas Rattlers:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/commentary/2006/jan/12/519954545.html

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Next:
Hammond and Denise Pulphus:
http://nwitimes.com/articles/2006/12/07/sports/top_sports/08ae90252da7d8378625723d00144472.prt

[tbayz1]

haha this is a good thread

[chuck43]

You cannot blame Joe Newman anymore in all honestly.............

these ABA "owners" are simply bad, bad, bad, bad, bad bad, bad businessmen. Period. Joe presents his goods, presents his product and if these amateurs and dreamers buy into it, you cannot blame Joe. Seriously.

At the end of the day, it is the OWNERS that do not produce, NOT Joe. They:

1. Are underfunded and broke.
2. Leave venues unpaid
3. Players unpaid
4. Sponsors screwed
5. Season ticket holders bilked
6. Cannot affors even the simplest in basic travel for their teams

How is Joe responsible? Does he manage their checkbooks (even though most have less then $9 in it)? Does he sell their tickets? Listen, no one feels Joe is more of a problem then I do, but the TRUE CORE of the problem lies with the broke, underfunded, uneducated owners.

[utahstarsticketholder]

It is the lack of due deligence that allows the unfunded owners to move forward with a team in this rec league.
That is why Ole Joe is at fault.
Remember the Troops, jack and cheryl.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

haha this is a good thread

but the las vegas link doesnt work ;)

Try it again...
:)

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

originally from the LA Times:
http://dreamteamsportsjournal.blogspot.com/2006/08/firing-away-at-aba.html

[Sam Hill]

Listen, no one feels Joe is more of a problem then I do, but the TRUE CORE of the problem lies with the broke, underfunded, uneducated owners.

So if you let the rats into your house because you're delusional enough to think they're little pink bunnies and they chew up your stuff and spread disease to your family, it's the RATS who are the TRUE CORE of the problem?

The bottom line on the ABA is that Joe Newman sells naive people a bill of goods and doesn't deliver. Some of them are completely and certifiably dishonest or borderline evil (or, in Pulphus' case, nuts), but many of them just believe what the kindly old gentleman tells them.

Joe KNOWS it's not true. He KNOWS that he's running a scam. He KNOWS that once he takes someone's $10k, he doesn't care what happens (proof? look how quickly he turns on people who fail or dare to speak out about the league). He thinks that all of his franchises are like used cars sold without warranties, and that you can't come back to him when the radiator blows up.

And you think it's the car buyer's fault. They are AT fault, but the TRUE CORE of the problem is Joe Newman. An honest person running this league wouldn't lie to people. An actual businessman would want the TEAMS to succeed, and not just look at his responsibility ending when the market reservation check clears.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

from SportsBizNews:
http://sportsbiznews.blogspot.com/2006/08/minor-sports-league-that-is-blight-on.html

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

from nwi.com (Munster, IN):
http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2006/11/28/columnists/al_hamnik/e16aceb247a6e23886257232000637ca.txt

and the follow-up after Joe raised a stink:
http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2006/11/28/columnists/al_hamnik/e7892aca771bf23c862572340010fb46.txt

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

from the Vermont Guardian:
http://vtgaurdian.com/local/032007/ABAChaos.shtml

and the last line is a great summation for a lot of people:
The ABA’s problems to date have not been in the ideas and energy teams bring to the courts and the communities, but the league’s lack of structure.

[Minor League Man]

Repeat after me:

THANK GOD FOR TOM MCGINN!

[tops804]

....in believing that Joe Newman knows the problem and wants to fix it.
1) A fixed number of teams. 2) Geographical planning. Sensible divisions.
3) Owners who can finance and have a sensible business plan. 4) A set
schedule. 5) Worry less about the other guys and more about.... 6) Play
basketball. 7) In March...crown champion, not "Pat team that weathered
the storm the most on the back...."
Vermont deserved better. (so did Rochester.)

Then one day, we can get on this board and say. "How about that game..."

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

originally on probasketballnews.com:

http://www.oursportscentral.com/boards/archive/index.php/t-3456.html

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

The always entertaining ABA/PBL fight (from Rochester):
http://rochester1.com/cutenews/show_archives.php?subaction=showfull&id=1181607768&archive=1183135867&start_from=&ucat=1&

[nksports]

....in believing that Joe Newman knows the problem and wants to fix it.
He seems to be indifferent to the problems as long as those $10,000 checks come in.
1) A fixed number of teams.
He said himself he wants over 100 teams.
2) Geographical planning. Sensible divisions.
There seems to be no geographic planning — see Halifax and Hawaii.
3) Owners who can finance and have a sensible business plan.
He seems to be indifferent to the problems as long as those $10,000 checks come in.
4) A set schedule.
If the other problems were solved, the schedule would probably be a moot point.
5) Worry less about the other guys and more about.... 6) Play basketball. 7) In March...crown champion, not "Pat team that weathered the storm the most on the back...."
Vermont deserved better. (so did Rochester.)
Amen brother, preach to me.
Then one day, we can get on this board and say. "How about that game..."
About the only way I see that happening is a complete management change in the ABA.

[tops804]

He said himself he wants over 100 teams.

:confused: 100 teams!!! He can't even get 5 to stay in the league for over five years....

...and I thought I was the dreamer!!!!:)

[bomp]

Who in their right mind would award a franchise to Denise? She's an idiot. This is Newman's fault and the whole league looks bad if someone like this is let in to the league.

It's not rocket science, just greed!

[Minor League Man]

Who in their right mind would award a franchise to Denise? She's an idiot. This is Newman's fault and the whole league looks bad if someone like this is let in to the league.

It's not rocket science, just greed!
I will say it again:

THANK GOD FOR TOM MCGINN!

Without him, the Rollers would be dead, one of the long-forgotten ABA teams.
Only the Hammond folks and us ABA followers would remember them.
Without Tom McGinn, the Rollers would have never gone to Sauk Valley, make the playoffs, go to Rockford, or most importantly, get the hell out of the ABA and join the PREMIER BASKETBALL LEAGUE!

Say it again: THANK GOD FOR TOM MCGINN!

[a1sports]

Joe really knows what hes doing...hes selling snake oil..it may work it may not work, he knows it wont work but after you buy it,,its all up to you.

He really doesnt want anyone witn money and business sense, those are the owners that cause him grief. Look at the teams that left and had good business sense to leave, they are in another league.

Even though Joe is probably judgement proof he doesnt want any one with real business sense around. Why would he fight a take-over? Let the young business guys run things..why? Because then the young guys would have THE CHECKBOOK !!!!!!!! Case closed. Would they let him have a salary of 250K? for what? Common, he has this whole thing down to a science. Remember his backround,,,its sales !! Does he do it well? Of course.

The owners that shut down, he more than likely knew they would and he likely knew they didnt have the money to legally go after him.

The BEST thing I heard on the street was after the great 8 ABA tournament in Rochester in 2006. When Joe was presented the bill for ABA's share of expenses he alledgedly said. thats not a bill for the ABA that was a Rochester tournament ! Hence the law suit from the Rochester owner for 200,000 dollars, Look it up ! Amazing. Call around and hear for yourselfs how many of the old owners had to pay for teams to show up to play during the season. How many times did Joe say ?, Ill reimburse you, How many times did he reimburse??

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Now for something a little different - from the old Yahoo board. An electronic pi**ing contest between Shawn Blattenberg of the LA Aftershock and Burrell Lee of the OC/Maywood/RandomCity Buzz - with some comments to Joe tossed in:
(eddited for PG audiences)

For your entertainment......


>
> > From: "Shawn Blattenberger"
<shawn@laaftershock.com>
> To: <OrangeCtyBuzz@aol.com>
> CC: <conniejoenewman@aol.com>,
> <rrichardson@abalive.com>,
> <editor@gallupherald.com>,
> <andre@laaftershock.com>,
> <PEARSONDERRICK@aol.com>
> Subject: RE: ABA - Hawaii
> Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2006 17:41:45 -0800
>
> Burrel,
> Your problem is that you take everything
> personally. Why is
> it that all of your travels "arrangements" benefit
> your team and your
> team only? Why is it that the only real travel you
> have done was paid
> by Joe? Why have you put in requests to Joe to
> become a travel team?
> Why are you asking favors from me to change my
> schedule to help you draw
> a larger crowd? Are you f****** stupid! After all
> the s*** that you
> have put this league and Joe through, what makes you
> think for one
> second that anyone wants to help your a**? Why do
> you insist on
> embarrassing yourself by hitting referees (speaking
> of which, Joe,
> wasn't Burrel supposed to be suspended from the
> league if another
> occurrence were to happen and yet he pulled the same
> crap in Gallup and
> still nothing happened?) and acting like a fool?
>
> You missed your trip to Seattle to play
> Bellingham and
> Tacoma and missed the last Fresno and TJ game.so
> you've missed your last
> 4 games, so don't convince yourself that you have
> not been missing games
> recently. I am simply stating that I am sick of
> certain teams not being
> prepared to play. We lost a considerable amount of
> money because
> Michael Tuckman didn't contact us back with details
> about stay and venue
> info.
>
> Joe, I have asked you on several
> occasions, "what teams are
> in and what teams are out?" Every time we speak it
> is a different
> answer. When I spoke to you last you stated that
> Hawaii was out, no
> questions about it. But now they are back. Do you
> have any idea how
> difficult you are making things in regard to travel?
> We are scheduled
> to play Hawaii in Hawaii in the beginning of
> February. I have already
> cancelled our reservations to travel to Hawaii. We
> as teams can not
> continue to do this.
>
> Burrel, you are not from the hood and
> you don't scare
> anybody with that mouth of yours. If you are that
> hard, why did you
> waste the whole lunch break while we were in Indy
> trying to be friends?
> Again, you think this is all about you when in
> reality, NOBODY cares
> about you. I am just trying to make sure that you
> have a venue to play
> in and players that will actually show up to the
> game. That's all. I
> don't care that you beat us twice. You need a
> prayer from God to make
> the playoffs, and honestly, I hope you do. Whether
> you think I mean
> that or not, that's on you. At least my players
> have contracts. So
> please, don't go there. You'll be around as long as
> Joe will continue
> to support your team (no offense Joe, but it's the
> truth).
>
> Joe, I can speak for all the teams
> outside of Orange County
> when I say that you have consistently disappointed
> us. You have
> misrepresented the ABA and misrepresented yourself.
> I hope you too do
> not take this personally, but I can only speak what
> is true. We are all
> concerned with the ABA and have backed you from day
> one with no support
> in return. Now is the time to show what you have
> stated to us numerous
> times. Please respond.
>
> Sincerely,
> Shawn Blattenberger
> Shawn Blattenberger, President
> Los Angeles Aftershock, Inc.
> <http://www.LAAftershock.com> www.LAAftershock.com
> Shawn@LAAftershock.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: OrangeCtyBuzz@aol.com
> [mailto:OrangeCtyBuzz@aol.com]
> Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 3:21 PM
> To: Conniejoenewman@aol.com; shawn@laaftershock.com;
> rrichardson@abalive.com
> Subject: Re: ABA - Hawaii
>
> The Orange County Buzz has not contacted any team
> about
> rescheduling.....I did contact LA and San Jose about
> switching dates so
> we can have a bigger game on the 16th of January...
>
> As scheduled, we was to play 3 home games in 2005,
> with all three being
> in November....vs Inglewood, Beijing and SoCal...we
> played 2 of 3 and
> canceled the home opener vs Inglewood because the
> gym had the LBCC
> women's team playing before us...
>
> Our next scheduled home game was tonight.....vs
> Vegas, we all know that
> story, then Saturday vs San Francisco, we havent
> heard a word from
> them....then LA and TJ on Monday and Tuesday the 9th
> and 10th and we
> have not called them off....and didn't plan on
> it....
>
> Shawn why is it that you cant just pick up the phone
> and call me or
> email me.....dude I dont know you and you dont know
> me....why are you
> being a b**** and keep hating on me....u have played
> 11 games, we have
> played 17....we have traveled cross county you been
> to San
> Francisco.....we have played againist the best, you
> have played
> yourself....keep me and the OC Buzz out my
> mouth.....
>
> You once said I lost players because we couldn't pay
> them....wait till
> you see my team when we play you and your team next
> week....I beat u
> twice and you keep saying things about me...what
> have I done to
> you....nothing.....i speak when I see you, i extend
> my hand when i see
> you....
>
> Joe & Ricardo....I have had enough of him and his
> mouth....if needed i
> will shut it for him....and i keep promises....i
> have done nothing to
> him....we got our asses kicked in the summer, i
> smiled and said good
> game, i beat him twice when the season counted and
> he has been trying to
> get rid of me ever since....
>
> I have his players coming to me because he hasnt
> been paying guys and
> living up to the contracts on the other hand i
> have....
>
> Shawn we can end this now or i will end it for
> you.....we are here and
> we will be here longer then you....
>
> Keep my name out your mouth.....last warning
>
> Burrel Lee III
> General Manager/Head Coach
> Orange County Buzz of the ABA
> 310.493.4391
> blee@ocbuzz.net
> http://www.ocbuzz.net <http://www.ocbuzz.net/>

[TheStandard]

Now for something a little different - from the old Yahoo board. An electronic pi**ing contest between Shawn Blattenberg of the LA Aftershock and Burrell Lee of the OC/Maywood/RandomCity Buzz - with some comments to Joe tossed in:
(eddited for PG audiences)

For your entertainment......

How about that money that is still owed to Goldenwest College? hmmm.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

email from Jim Clark (former ABA officer/owner) in response to an email from the Florida Pit Bulls' owner, Demetrius Ford (the ORIGINAL emails between Ford and Joe were classic):

----- Original Message ----
From: Jim Clark <jamesdclark@mindspring.com>
To: Demetrius Ford <dford@floridapitbulls.com>; rrichardson@abalive.com
Cc: conniejoenewman@aol.com; etc
Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 12:00:16 AM
Subject: [ABABasketball] Re: Ricardo's plan
Hello everyone - this is from Jim Clark - former owner of the KC franchise (five years and four seasons) and former member of the Executive Team of the ABA.

Since some of you are new to the ABA - and others like Tom Chichester have been around since it's inception - I felt compelled to comment on the correspondence over the last few days - - as both a former team owner and former league executive. As far as the personal issues and accusations made regarding Joe and Demetrius - all I can say is it is in many ways the same old story and - as such - the emails speak for themselves.

First, anyone can make a few phone calls and complete their due diligence on the ABA and it's five year track record. After doing that - they can make a informed decision.

Secondly, the there a many former team owners who have found the challenges in the ABA too much to overcome. In fact, KC had a problem playing our fifth season in the ABA this year. I am sure a few of you will not be returning next season and that is part of the challenges facing the ABA.

Thirdly, this is a startup business and until the teams become profitable - the league will continue as a startup venture and it's inherent challenges.

Fourth, emails like the one's that have been sent recently have long been part of the ABA and I have no idea what purpose they serve - perhaps "daylighting" issues is helpful but usually the author of them is vilified. The PitBulls I am sure did a great job this season but encountered many issues that are not unique to them or this season.

Lastly, I think if you polled those former team owners over the last five years that invested in the ABA and left - what they would say is this: the ABA is a great idea but is not a stable business. There is far too many promises and very little net income. It is just a very hard business at every level and too hard for many successful executives to master eventhough they have been successful in other industries. Many of us have tried and won championships but failed at profitability.

Thanks for reading this email and good luck to all of you and in the playoffs.

Jim Clark

913-xxx (cell)
913-xxx (fax)
----- Original Message -----
From: Demetrius Ford
To: rrichardson@abalive.com
Cc: conniejoenewman@aol.com, etc
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 9:13 PM
Subject: Ricardo's plan

Ricardo,

I was just going through some of the documents you and I put together late last year when we were trying to putting together the due dilligence package for potential investors in the ABA, and I came across the plan you proposed to Joe and Dick Tinkham, which they did nothing with. I hope you don't mind, but I am forwarding it to all the owners so they can see the direction this league CAN go in, with proper restructuring and execution. I think the plan echos a lot of what I spoke about in my e-mails, and maybe after review, the owners could voice their opinions of the plan to Joe in an effort to get this league back on track to success.

To all that are reading this, I'd like to apologize for the public airing of my personal opinions of Joe and Angela Rizzi, and I DEEPLY apologize to any of you that may be adversly affected by my words. Just to be clear; I meant EVERY WORD of what I said. It's just in hindsight, I realize I could have chosen a more professional way of delivering my message to you.

All I ever wanted was to help this league reclaim the staus it once had in its glory days. I brought more to this league than I care to list in the e-mail. To be stabbed in the back by Joe and Angela, after all I did for the ABA and its owners, was just unbearable for me, and I snapped. I accomplished something very significant with my e-mails however, because I opened many an eye, and hopefully, you all will make an effort to take more control of this league and do whatever is necessary to ensure long-lasting success. Joe may sit at the top (for now), but you all, collectively, ARE the ABA. Work together towards the common goal. Insist on the necessary and accept nothing less. I wish you all the best.

In your corner always,

Demetrius D. Ford
Former Owner and President
Florida Pit Bulls

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Originally from the Rochester Dem-Chron (3/11/06):

ABA begins its bizarre playoffs


(March 11, 2006) — The 24-team American Basketball Association single-elimination playoffs began Friday night. I think.

What I do know is that the Rochester RazorSharks (26-4 record in their inaugural season) will open their playoff run on Sunday, March 19, at Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. It will be an upset if they don't win the championship one week later on the same court.

The RazorSharks have a first-round bye and will play the winner of Sunday afternoon's Boston Frenzy vs. Buffalo Rapids game at Hilbert College in Hamburg. The Frenzy finished the regular season with a 2-20 record.

So how does a 2-20 team make the playoffs? Being paid up and having at least five players guaranteed to show up seem to be the keys.

"We needed playoff replacements for the Florida Pit Bulls and Gallup Talons," ABA co-founder and commissioner Joe Newman said Friday from the league office in Indianapolis. "We chose the Ohio Aviators and Boston, partly because Boston changed ownership during the season and did a good job."

I tried to find out where and when the Canton-based Aviators (3-13 record for the regular season, according to the ABA's always out-of-date standings) will play their first playoff game, but the team's Web site isn't functioning and the telephone has been disconnected. Tough way to keep up interest and sell tickets.

Newman said he "suspended" the Pit Bulls from the playoffs because player-coach Tim Hardaway – the former NBA all-star guard — was a
no-show for games on Long Island and in Montreal on the team's final road trip of the regular season.

"Tim guaranteed he'd be there, but he wasn't," Newman said. "His participation was well publicized and we nearly had riots at both sites when he didn't appear."

There are whispers that there also is a dispute between Newman and the Pit Bulls regarding who is responsible for bills related to last month's ABA All-Star Game in Sunrise, Fla.

The Pit Bulls have disappeared from the ABA Web site.

The Gallup Talons, who were rated above the RazorSharks in the suspect weekly ABA power rankings for much of the season, were 16-4 when Newman said they failed to show up for several road games. "So I had to suspend them, too," said Newman.

The Montreal Matrix, short on players late in the regular season, added several players from the non-qualifying Baltimore Pearls for the playoffs.

The ever-expanding ABA obviously remains a work in process. The latest additions for next season supposedly are the Dallas-based Texas
Tycoons and the Houston Havoc (this version of the ABA never had a more appropriate team name).

"We'll do better next season," Newman said. "We'll have statistics and up-to-date standings on our Web site. And we'll probably have 16 teams in the playoffs. I think 24 teams this season is too many."

The Boston Frenzy's 2-20 record is proof of that.

Note:
"We'll do better next season," Newman said. "We'll have statistics and up-to-date standings on our Web site. And we'll probably have 16 teams in the playoffs. I think 24 teams this season is too many."
"Next season" would have been the 06-07 season. How did that work out?

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Some fun stuff from the former owner of the Gallup Talons (from the Yahoo board):

herald01@cia-g.com wrote:
Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2006 18:48:47 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Re: [ABABasketball] Tijuana Dragons to replace Gallup Talons in
ABA playoffs
From: herald01@cia-g.com
To: "Adam/NJ" <abaredwhiteblue@yahoo.com

ON THE RECORD

Joe,
When I said I was stepping aside amicably I meant for the season. Similar to what the Pit Bulls did. Did you take the franchise away from Demitius and Tim? Anyway I am aware of the deal with Deborah Money, and whereas I do not have any problem with the family, I am not letting you turn over the team without compensation to me or my partner. For starters, the league does not own the name Gallup Talons. Secondly, there is nothing anywhere in league documents that permits you to just take away a team, especially not for a third time as in my case. A court injunction is being filed against you, the league and any new ownership group you think you may find to replace
us. My partner and I are not going to be pushed or bullied out of what we have built here despite what or how you think or heard things were done here. There are teams being touted in the playoffs who have done a lot worse than we have and rather than be banished as we have, they are repeatedly profiled on the league web site as premiere organizations. I will entertain buyout offers but you will not give my team away in a backroom deal.

Joe Kolb, OWNER
Gallup Talons


herald01@cia-g.com wrote:
Adam,
This was a unilateral decision made by Joe Newman. My partner and I was never made aware of this. Joe Newman does whatever he wants to do with this league and attempts to discredit anyone who attempts to confront him on his indiscretions. Unlike other teams in the past that have succumbed to Newman's "management" of the ABA and just walked away, there will be plenty of pertinent news coming from this organization in the coming weeks that will be associated with the defense of our position.

ON THE RECORD FOR YOUR WEB SITE
According to Joseph Kolb, owner of the Gallup Talons, Joe Newman made a unilateral decision to remove the existing ownership from Gallup without their knowledge. The team decided to end its season due to lost revenues incurred because the league had done nothing to support a schedule for the Talons resulting in lost revenues.
Kolb said since December his organization has been left to their own resources to schedule games, most of which had to held on weekdays.

The George Gervin division essentially collapsed shortly after the season began with Texas, Lincoln, Kansas City and St. Louis dropping out. He said in early December Newman promised a schedule to Kolb and his investor group that never materialized. "We're not even on the master league schedule for February and March," said Kolb. "Newman never gave us the due process of informing us why he took my team away for the third time during the season," said Kolb.

He said the first time the team was taken away was in December after he argued with Newman about the lack of a schedule, an incident involving SoCal and this recent event. "It's a good thing I kept all of his e-mails to remind me how bizarre this experience was."

Kolb said he requested travel assistance to a recently scheduled game in San Jose as the league supported three other teams that travelled to Gallup but was denied. Kolb said Talon players that have moved on to other teams were told by Newman that the league sent the Talons money for travel.

"Right now I haven't seen the alleged e-mail where Newman made this claim, but I can assure you the league never sent any money to us at any time," said Kolb. "There is no continuity in policies in this league but if you are not among the favored you will be ostracized as we have," said Kolb.

"What ever indiscretions we may have committed are no more egregious than what other teams have done, so why take our team and not even have the courtesy to let us know?"

"Among the most bizarre incidents of many dealings with the ABA was the night Gary Grant and the SoCal Legends were in town and refused to play us because the bus was late in getting to his hotel after he confirmed it," said Kolb. "During a phone conversation and e-mail Newman berated me, not the guy who forfeited the game." Kolb
said this was the second time Newman took the team from him this season. "I have coaches, referees and venue officials that overheard Newman's tirade and who will stand by me in saying we did nothing wrong," said Kolb.

Newman said, "The city of Gallup has really supported its team; Clayton Shields and his players were one of the league's best teams all season long. We are really looking forward to next season as Gallup is truly one of the ABA's premiere cities."

Kolb said this program was established under his vision and leadership and became what it is because of him, despite the obstacles.

"I expect Newman to send out one of his rebuttal e-mails which should include opinions about my leadership," said Kolb. "I expect that and know people are smart enough to read them with a grain of salt."

Among the concerns he expressed was poor enforcement of schedules, inconsistencies in management policies, failure to reimburse teams for travel to the ABA All-Star game as promised, dubious marketing programs, and indiscriminate punitive actions against those who disagree with him.

Kolb said unlike other teams that have faced the same frustrations with their ABA experience, he will be seeking legal counsel to discuss his removal as an owner and what was done and not done during the season.

"There are some serious issues that need to be addressed and brought to light not only for my organization but others who are in or plan to join this league," said Kolb.

********************
Tijuana Dragons to replace Gallup Talons in ABA playoffs
03/04/06 - American Basketball Association (ABA)

Indianapolis, IN. The American Basketball Association (ABA) today announced that the Tijuana Dragons will replace the Gallup Talons in the ABA playoffs that start next weekend.

According to Joe Newman, ABA CEO, "The ownership of the Gallup Talons has changed hands. The new owners, to be announced next week, and the league felt that it would be best if Gallup started fresh next season and the team has graciously stepped aside so that Tijuana could make the 24-team playoff roster. It was a generous thing for the Talons to do; the city of Gallup has really supported its team; Clayton Shields and his players were one of the league's best teams all season long. We are really looking forward to next season as Gallup is truly one of
the ABA's premiere cities."

[a1sports]

Praise the lord

Here is the email from you Joe stating that the league would help with the expenses. So shame on you Joe.

My personal assets had nothing to do with the team. You stated that other teams were provided with finacial help, why not us?!?

Please get back me so I can understand. Iam waiting for my check!

Mother Williams

God Bless You

The Word Travel And Tours

[a1sports]

Joe,

I was with Todd until he said Rochester would host the championship. Both Vermont and Texas would have to lose before that happened.

Best regards,

Chris Terrell
Head Coach
Director of Basketball Operations
Texas Tycoons

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

A classic from Michael Tuckman...
A member of the Yahoo board got a list of outstanding payments Tuckman owed to officials. His ultimate response probably made Joe giddy with happiness for following the ABA manual to the letter.

Note that even members of two other ABA teams seemed taken aback by the situation:

(once again, edited for PG eyes)

----- Original Message ----
From: Michael Tuckman <michaeltuckman@msn.com>
To: ABABasketball@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, March 5, 2006 9:32:53 AM
Subject: RE: [ABABasketball] List of Game Fees for Michael Tuckman
This is sent to you on the condition of anonymity:

"Go f*** yourself a**wipe."

Hope that clears it up. Have a nice day.


Michael Tuckman
President and General Manager
Puget Sound Sports and Entertainment, LLC
Phone (206) 219-9260
----- Original Message ----
From: Cynthia Hancock <cynthiahancock_txtycoons@yahoo.com>
To: ABABasketball@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, March 3, 2006 4:41:47 PM
Subject: RE: [ABABasketball] List of Game Fees for Michael Tuckman

He knew that you are to give the refs cash either before the game and no later than half time. This is not his first season.

Ian McCarthy <imccarthy@caledoniangroup.biz> wrote:
I thought the officials had to paid 650.00 in cash at halftime? What was he
doing - writing checks to individual refs?

-----Original Message-----
From: ABABasketball@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ABABasketball@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of …
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 8:39 PM
To: ababasketball@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ABABasketball] List of Game Fees for Michael Tuckman

These were sent to me from a member of the league
office on the condition of anonymity.

Game Fees

Name Date Fee Total

Stu Gorski Nov 26 $200 not paid $200.00
Monte Page Nov 26 $225 not paid $457.50
Jan 28 $220 bad Check $12.50fee


Morgan Witt Nov 19 $200 bad check
$570.00
Nov 30 $200 not paid
Dec 27 $170 bad check

Todd Pelham Nov 26 $225 not paid
$728.00
Nov 30 $250 not paid
Jan 28 $220 bad check $33 fee

LeMont Lucas Dec 1 $225 not paid
$225.00

Michael Manning Dec 4 $400 bad check $720.00
Dec 10 $120 owed (paid $100 cash)
Dec 29 $220 not paid

Harvey Marshall Dec 27 $220 bad check $685.00
Jan 18 $215 game was canceled at the last
minute.
Officials were on our way to game and he said that he would pay us still.
Jan 28 $250 bad check

ADDITIONS:


Jerry Meneese Dec 1 $200 bad check
$1,160.00
Dec 4 $200 bad check
Dec 8 $215 not paid

Dec 10 $115 owed (paid $100 cash)
Dec 29 $215 not paid
Jan 18 $215

[Fells]

And Joe wonders why the league has such a bad reputation.

Keep em coming, these are great.

[tbayz1]

I said from the beginning this would be a great thread, and that it is!!

Thanks ARWB for these emails and articles, theyre great, and Im with Fells, keep em coming!

[besl]

A classic from Michael Tuckman...
A member of the Yahoo board got a list of outstanding payments Tuckman owed to officials. His ultimate response probably made Joe giddy with happiness for following the ABA manual to the letter.

Note that even members of two other ABA teams seemed taken aback by the situation:

(once again, edited for PG eyes)

And this is the same guy that's currently trying to bring a boatload of CBA and indoor football teams to the Pacific Northwest. He couldn't run one ABA team, let alone two, and now he's being portrayed as the savior of minor league sports in Everett in their local paper:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070729/SPORTS/707290377

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070828/NEWS01/108280043

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (with Joe's reply), posted on the Yahoo board.

Note the usual Newmanesque reaction - the media has their facts wrong, yada yada..

----- Original Message ----
From: "ConnieJoeNewman@Aol.com" <ConnieJoeNewman@Aol.com>
To: ABABasketball@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 10:49:47 AM
Subject: Re: [ABABasketball] Team fold? In ABA, just add 40 more
Josh. Thanks for the email. Avery Holton has a fertile imagination. The quotes attributed to me were not made by me. And he is inaccurate as relates to our focus. We are focusing on solving some of the problems of last season with stronger requirements for ownership and new policies to prevent a reoccurance. And, we will continue to expand with good solid ownership groups. We do appreciate the interest and comments however.

Joe Newman
ABA CEO

-----Original Message-----
From: Josh <XXX@yahoo.com>
To: ABABasketball@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 15:20:23 -0000
Subject: [ABABasketball] Team fold? In ABA, just add 40 more
MINOR LEAGUE INSIDER

Team fold? In ABA, just add 40 more

By Avery Holton

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

• Instead of a few good franchises, the league wants to add more than 40 teams -- strong or weak.

You can't usually heal a wound by adding new ones.

But heading into the second season of its rebirth, the American Basketball Association will try that prescription.

The league announced last week its plans to add 10 more teams to its already weak foundation, increasing the number of expansion teams for the 2005-06 season to more than 40.

The additions would bring the league, which folded more than a half-dozen of its teams this season, to at least 74 teams, with franchises as far away as Honolulu.

For all of the troubles the ABA had in 2004-05 -- folding teams, the firing of its only female head coach in Knoxville, shabby fan
support -- league co-founder Joe Newman remains confident in branching out.

"You can try to solve problems and shrink down, but that usually doesn't work," said Newman, who developed the idea of a continual expansion after each season regardless of financial success. "Ours is a business model that's proven to work in some cities, and it allows for growth. Apparently, it's working."

Not so fast.

The ABA began its new expansion approach before this season, adding more than 30 teams to an eight-team league. But several franchises came and went before playing a game; others couldn't afford to go on the road.

The ABA's buyer-friendly $10,000 franchise fee backfired, allowing for unstable ownership that wreaked havoc on the league. At least eight teams, including two in Mexico, folded at the season's start only to rejoin the league later for a handful of games. Most of those teams are now defunct.

Rather than focus inward on the league's setbacks, Newman insists that pushing forward is the only sure route.

"You don't get anywhere by standing still," Newman said. "That doesn't work."

So, I emailed Avery and asked to confirm the quotes he attributed to Joe. He sent a response to be posted on the board:
----- Original Message ----
From: "Holton, Avery" <aholton@star-telegram.com>
To: New Jersy <abaredwhiteblue@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 1:02:44 PM
Subject: RE: your recent column "Team fold? In ABA, just add 40 more"

Adam,

You certainly may. Please note the addition:

Mr. Adam Colaizzi;

Thank you for the note. However, I am not an engaged member of Yahoo message boards, thus I cannot fully read Mr. Newman's comments. I can assure you, though, that the comments made were indeed his. I have spoken with Mr. Newman on countless occassions and have pooled quotes to use for such columns as Monday's.

As Mr. Newman indicated both in the quotes in the column and in his supposed posted statement, the league is trying to mend its problems through
expansion. In both arenas, he appears confident in the expansion process.

Difficulties did arise for many teams, but for some, such as the Texas
Tycoons, those obstacles were met and overcome. Mr. Newman has stated that such teams, which have been loyal and dedicated, are the ones which the league will stand by as it moves toward stability.

-Avery Holton

[Paul S]

ABAREDWHITEBLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is one of the best threads ever. Well done. Keep 'em coming.

This one is about the trials, tribulations and more tribulations of the San Diego Wildfire, the author Mark Ziegler won a First Place Price in sports reporting about it.

Wildfire up in Smoke (http://utawards.signonsandiego.com/wildfire.htm)

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Glad to bring some entertainment and independent coverage of the foibles and follies that have been Joe's ABA.

For an interesting example of the lifecycle of an ABA team, check this link:

http://www.birminghamprosports.com/birminghammagicianshistory.htm

The Rise and Demise of the Magicians, on one page...

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Of course, there is the recent well-researched article from Halifax - the one that Joe felt compelled to bash in their newspaper:

http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=36326&sc=93

Still waiting for Joe to question the accuracy and professionalism of the reporter who does a positive articie on the league, though...

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Staying in Canada - Calgary gets Drilled...
Drillers are hooped
Calgary's expansion American Basketball Association club going under
By DAN TOTH -- Calgary Sun

Unfinished business
Hang onto those Calgary Drillers hats, T-shirts and key chains, they could soon be valuable keepsakes from our city's growing family of dead sports franchises.

Barring a buzzer-beating miracle, the struggling American Basketball Association expansion team is folding after just 13 games, according to president Al Howell.

Howell said yesterday he has been ordered by owner Glen Straub of Florida to slam dunk the club, although head coach Otis Hailey claimed last night he and GM Ruby Richman are working to secure new investors.

"The owner of the franchise has given me instructions to shut the franchise down," Howell announced, adding he is also attempting, against all odds, to find new owners.

"I don't agree with that decision and I'm taking today to see if I can replace him with local ownership. The chances of that happening are relatively slim but that's what I'm attempting to do. I'm not optimistic."

Howell said the team missed its payroll on Jan. 31 proximately $14,000 -- and no one has received a cheque since Jan. 15.

"Nobody is being paid -- it's over," said Howell, who was planning to meet last night and again today with prospective new owners.

Hailey said even if Straub abandons the franchise, he and Richman will continue fighting to find another $150,000 to $200,000 to finish the 36-game season.

"Me and Ruby aren't going to let this thing die -- we've worked too hard for too long to let that happen," Hailey insisted.

Straub stepped forward in early December to assume control of the expansion club that was launched by Hailey and Richman. Straub owns the Miami Arena, former home of the NBA's Miami Heat, and may relocate the club, according to Howell.

Financial uncertainty forced the Drillers to begin the season a month late while disappointing home crowds at the Stampede Corral have peaked at a few hundred per game. From the opening night's announced crowd of 300, it was clear the Grim Reaper would be in the starting lineup every time the squad hit the floor.

Howell noted that hasn't been the only hardship.

"The hardest part is dealing with the league," he said. "You never know from one day to the next which team is going to show up. Three days before the game, Ruby can't confirm who the team is, you know? It makes it all very difficult. It's made it just horrible."

League insiders say the ABA expansion this season from seven to 35 teams has been a disaster, with new clubs needing only to meet the minimum requirements of a $10,000 entry fee and a promise to follow league guidelines.

Howell said the Drillers struggled right from the start because of uncertainty surrounding other clubs.

"The league's so bizarre, it's just crazy," he said.

"The L.A. Stars are in trouble, Orange County collapsed, Ontario Warriors are probably not going to make it, Fresno couldn't travel. Long Beach Jam, probably the best of the bunch, said they wouldn't travel up here. Utah is drawing fewer people than we are and they have a great club to watch. They're getting 300 people a game. Tijuana only played half of the first half of its schedule and now they're back. We couldn't find teams to play.

"Now we've got an owner sitting in Miami going, 'What is this thing?' So the uncertainly has caused the problems."

Scott and Todd Shipley of Calgary, owners of Original Joe's restaurants, reportedly own 5% of the franchise but, according to Howell, aren't about to assume financial control of the team.

ABA chairman/co-founder Joe Newman said late yesterday afternoon he was unaware the Drillers are folding.

NOTE: Al Howell, who rips the ABA ("just horrible"), is one of Joe's boys who subsequently went on to run the Niagara franchise (more on them later). Rumors were that he had multiple warrants issued for his arrest, and may have seen some jail time (I can't confirm them, however).

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

As promised... Niagara:
http://www.freewebs.com/frozenhoops/niagaradaredevilsdefunct.htm

The Niagara Daredevils are so desperate financially, their American Basketball Association opponents in Rochester paid each of them about $300 and provided transportation and meals for the St. Catharines basketball team to travel to the game in Rochester Thursday.

Yet, Rochester was 'garbage' according to the Kitchen Table King...

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

from San Jose:
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2006/02/06/story2.html?page=3

"We've had a tough go of it, but the ABA has weeded out the weak franchises and I think the remaining franchises are strong," Mr. Hardaway says. "You just have to get the word out."

Nope - but his OWN team was 'weeded out' a few months later...

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Money issues from 2001, courtesy the Chicago Sun-Times:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20010301/ai_n13900366

The fledgling American Basketball Association has cut the salaries of players and coaches in the wake of poor attendance and financial worries.

As I said in my first post on this thread:


You know, those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it...

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Prescient article from Utah (who for those who are unaware, finished the 04-05 season with the best record (1 loss), played two rounds of the post-season then pulled out of the league amid a swirl of controversy and allegations tossed back and forth between Joe and team official Derrick Pearson - the same Derrick Pearson who, the following season, would host the original ABAlive radio show).

The ABA can make for strange bedfellows...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20041119/ai_n11490299

The expansion explosion has not been without its problems. Some teams have struggled with financing, scheduling, travel and venue arrangements.

As Shirley Bassey sings:
its all just a little bit of history repeating :D

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

More from the Deseret News with another great line:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20050710/ai_n14722911

The current league is in a constant state of flux, with host towns changing frequently. Which begs the question: Isn't having an ABA division named after you sort of like having your name on the passenger list of the Hindenburg?

(I'll let someone else insert a tasteless joke here...)

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Tossed this in here for fun - especially one line in particular:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2000_Sept_18/ai_65270101

The ABA is expected to generate revenues up to $27 million in the first year.

[tops804]

Revenues up to $27 million??? Did he mean to say "debts"???

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Deseret News again (the Snowbears made quite an impression)...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20040509/ai_n11451807

Even at $5 a ticket, who wants to see that?

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Historical perspective - the early days - courtesy a story on the KC Knights:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4179/is_20020101/ai_n11776084

Things started well. Kansas City drew more than 7,000 fans for its opener. Then attendance slipped across the country, the league scaled back its schedule and the ABA final was played before a few hundred fans at Kemper Arena.

Sound familiar????

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

More from the early days...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20010209/ai_n13896979

All eight teams are stable, co-founder Joe Newman said, including the Tampa Bay franchise, where new ownership was installed last month after some early problems.

There's big news coming for the league today when a television deal will be announced with new cable venture, the Calvacade of Sports network. It will start televising ABA games April 1, in time for the playoffs.

Next week another TV deal will be announced with a national network to air games this season, Newman said.

He had his schtick down in year one...

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Any names sound familiar??????

ABA 2000 Launched; Professional Basketball for the New Millennium
Business Wire, June 22, 1999
INDIANAPOLIS--(BW SportsWire)--June 22, 1999--

The American Basketball Association (ABA), the league that brought basketball fans the red, white and blue basketball and the three point shot is bouncing back with a new major professional basketball league, ABA 2000, scheduled to begin play in January 2000.

The new league, which is headquartered in Indianapolis, will begin play with a 40-game abbreviated schedule with target markets including New York (Long Island); Chicago; Anaheim, CA; Jacksonville, FL; Tampa Bay, FL; Pittsburgh, PA; Raleigh-Durham, NC; New Orleans; Tidewater, VA; Hartford, CT; Nashville, TN; and Memphis, TN. Ownership groups have been identified or are in place in each city. Many of the new franchises will be owned and operated by African-Americans from the worlds of sports, entertainment and business.

Willie Martin, a consultant for the Jacksonville Surf stated, "This marks the first time an American major league has had a truly diversified ownership base. We are thrilled to be part of ABA 2000."

ABA 2000 will also have a renewed commitment to present exciting, professional basketball as value-priced family entertainment in an affordable environment that will involve and attract the entire community.

According to Salvatore Fradella, one of The League's founders and an owner of the New York franchise, "the rule innovations we're making to the game itself are as unique and exciting as the red, white and blue basketball and the three-point shot. Fans will love our game."

Other ABA 2000 founders include Indianapolis broadcasting executive Joe Newman, as well as Steven Jaloza, a New York investment banker, and Dick Tinkham, one of the founders of the original ABA and an original owner of the Indiana Pacers.

Clyde Smoll, an Indianapolis sports executive and former Executive Director of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and former award-winning minor league professional baseball team owner, has been named Director of League Operations.

For further information about ABA 2000, contact ABA 2000, call (317) 767-GAME (4263).

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_June_22/ai_54955008

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

from the Washington Post (and yes, my former team is part of the story, due to a last minute legal issue/name change...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A29649-2004Dec2?language=printer

Newman said he believed every team would make it through the year, "because I'm the eternal optimist, and because I see glasses as half-full instead of half-empty, and because I've got fingers crossed on both hands, and I've got my legs crossed."

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

from the OC Register:
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/sections/sports/sports_columns/article_409446.php

"This all might be bordering on stupidity, but I'll keep at it. It's a labor of love," said Moore, standing near the exit, which sadly is where many, during the game, wanted to go.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Nashville going strong...
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/~citypaper/news.php?viewStory=38503

Will the Rhythm return for next season? Bucher gives an emphatic yes answer to the question, saying, "Unless something totally unlikely happens like the league folding."

Ahhh, irony:

Nashville fades away...

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/~citypaper/news.php?viewStory=46428

[nksports]

Note the typical Newman response about the team not meeting league standards.

It reminds me about the old joke about Stalinist Soviet Union: "He did not commit suicide, he was given permission to shoot himself."

[bomp]

And this is the same guy that's currently trying to bring a boatload of CBA and indoor football teams to the Pacific Northwest. He couldn't run one ABA team, let alone two, and now he's being portrayed as the savior of minor league sports in Everett in their local paper:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070729/SPORTS/707290377

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070828/NEWS01/108280043

Tuckman sounds like Joe's kinda guy!

[bomp]

ABAREDWHITEBLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is one of the best threads ever. Well done. Keep 'em coming.

This one is about the trials, tribulations and more tribulations of the San Diego Wildfire, the author Mark Ziegler won a First Place Price in sports reporting about it.

Wildfire up in Smoke (http://utawards.signonsandiego.com/wildfire.htm)

...and then poor Sadn Diego had Raj destroy the MISL Sockers.

So did they ever make it to Yuba??