ABA Priorities

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

There is no schedule, teams have no venue or website, and the are piles of lawsuits to deal with...

But, at least their toes will be warm:
http://oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3542234

Mountain High Hosiery To Be The Official Socks
09/20/07 - American Basketball Association (ABA)

Indianapolis, IN. (OTCBB: ABKB). The American Basketball Association (ABA) announced today that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Mountain High Hosiery (MH Hosiery), one of the largest domestic suppliers of private label hosiery, to be the Official Socks of the ABA. According to Joe Newman, ABA CEO, "MH Hosiery is the standard by which quality hosiery is measured and we are very pleased and proud to be associated with this fine company."
MH Hosiery currently creates socks under the following licensees: Tommy Hilfiger, Sean John, Esprit and Bill Blass among others. Additionally, the company markets products under other proprietary labels including Royal Bermuda and Uomo Domani. The company's products are sold through a wide range of retail channels including department stores, discount retail chains, specialty stores, warehouse clubs and catalogs.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with the ABA. We were very impressed with the size and phenomenal growth of the organization," stated MH Hosiery CEO Gerald Birin. "The new line of ABA hosiery for players and fans will fit the tradition of the ABA, which is both exciting and affordable."

In September 2006, the company was acquired by MH Acquisition, LLC, an affiliate of Creo Capital Partners, LLC. The company's New York showroom is located at 499 7th Avenue, Suite 303; (212) 246-8222. The corporate office can be reached at (619) 262 9202.

The agreement between MH Hosiery and the ABA was facilitated by The Meriwether Group, a business acceleration and investment firm specializing in apparel, footwear, accessory, fashion and natural product industries.

"As part of the deal," said Meriwether partner Ken Barker, "Mountain High will be supplying all ABA players with six pairs of socks - and you can expect them to be exciting looking, comfortable and durable. And of course, the new ABA socks will be available to fans (men, women and children) at affordable prices."

For more information, visit www.mhknitwear.com, www.meriwethergroup.com or www.abalive.com.

[BreakersFan]

Any word yet on whether the players will be given six pairs of socks in lieu of an actual salary?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.........

[TheStandard]

i thought they would tie this report with turner sports. is the sock company also a division of turner sports

[Paul S]

I especially love the part of that press release that says "According to Joe Newman.................. which automatically gets my BS hackles up.

In fact its probably reverse marketing. Like an executive of Coca-Cola sending out a BS press release that says "According to Joe Newman Pepsi is the best!!!, I mean its almost guarenteed to have the opposite effect.

[Chuck the Writer]

I guess Mountain High Hosiery finally took care of that little Consumer Products Safety Commission issue back in 2000:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_ppro/is_200002/ai_3000379246/pg_1

CPSC, Mountain High Hosiery Ltd. Announce Recall of Tommy Hilfiger Socks for Infants and Children
US Consumer Product Safety Commission

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Mountain High Hosiery Ltd., of San Diego, Calif., is recalling approximately 360,000 pairs of Tommy Hilfiger socks for infants and children. The heat-sealed Tommy Hilfiger flag logo appliques on these socks can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Mountain High has received three reports of the logo appliques detaching from these socks. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled socks are white and sold in in sizes "S/M," for 6-12 months; "L/XL," for 12-24 months; and toddler shoe sizes 7-11(. They have a red, white and blue Tommy Hilfiger flag logo applique on the side of each sock. Writing on the socks reads "TOMMY HILFIGER."

Department and specialty stores nationwide sold two-pair packages of the socks from January 1999 through January 2000 for about $10.

Consumers should stop using these socks immediately, and call Mountain High to receive an exchange or a refund. For more information, contact Mountain High at (877) 729-4916 anytime or on their web site at www.mtnhighinc.com.

[SignGuyDino]

When are the Feds gonna recall the ABA?

[TheStandard]

when will our maker Recall Joe?

[Strong Island Sound]

Having a company sponsor a product for the league is something that is a good move, but one that some of the posters on this board feel the need to ridicule in any way they can. Similar to the Spalding ball deal. Another example where the bashers had to be heard, even though it was without merit.

As far as the recall goes, it is not uncommon for a product to have that happen, as any parents with the recent toy recall can attest. Mattell is perhaps the largest toy company in the world and had an entire list of their products recalled. I have no independent knowledge of this sock recall, but if Tommy Hilfiger was also involved, the company cannot be a 'fly-by-night' type.

Anyone on these boards that have read my prior posts know that I do not cover everything the ABA does wrong. I have admitted on numerous occassions that things need to be corrected. The sock sponsorship is not one of them.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

SIS
My only point is that there are a great many things that should come well before announcing an official sock for the ABA.

It was obviously an ABA written release (including, very possibly, the "quote" from Ken Barker.

Not that this is a bad thing, but, as with the Pony deal, we'll see if, indeed, ALL players receive what has been promised by Joe.

[Strong Island Sound]

There are always more important things that need to be addressed in all businesses. But that is no reason to hold back on an announcement that is a good one.

Of course, having any team or schedule issues resolved right off the bat would be the thing to do first in a perfect world. But unfortunately, minor league sports are far from perfect.

[a1sports]

Lets start with one simple press release, a truthful one. ALL PLAYERS WILL GET PAID THIS YEAR At A FAIR MARKET VALUE . Once this is accomplished then you can talk about socks and jocks.

I know Strong islands pay scale from last year...you have nothing to be proud of. Thats why you led the league in turnover of players...

and dont post they jumped to Europe for top pay, they jumped to any team that would pay a decent wage.

[Strong Island Sound]

Lets start with one simple press release, a truthful one. ALL PLAYERS WILL GET PAID THIS YEAR At A FAIR MARKET VALUE . Once this is accomplished then you can talk about socks and jocks.

I know Strong islands pay scale from last year...you have nothing to be proud of. Thats why you led the league in turnover of players...

and dont post they jumped to Europe for top pay, they jumped to any team that would pay a decent wage.
A1- What do you consider 'fair market value?' In minor league basketball, the leagues are probably not that far from each other. I do not know what the other leagues pay, I am just making an educated guess.

Was our team's pay scale that much different from the majority of the other's? Maybe you do know something that I am not aware of.

As far as out turnover of players last season, I can only answer that with facts, and that fact is to overseas contracts. With the knowledge you seem to have, I'm sure that you are aware that players signed to those contracts make a large sum of money per month and have their travel and lodging paid for them. If you are looking for a big payday, that is the way to go. I don't think that anyone could be faulted for that.

If you need to know, some of the players that we had leave last year that went on to overseas teams were: Shawn Simpson (Finland); Mike Campbell (Belgium); and Darren Phillip (Spain).

By bringing back a good number of the player's from 2006-07 (inclduing Simpson), that would tell me that we are doing something right. Maybe these people want to stay close to home and not go to another country to play. But so far, we have re-signed not only Simpson, but also a few more players, including Raheim Lowery; Chris Grant; Caheem Broadus; Raphael Edwards; and Greg Cerillo.

[tbayz1]

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3548821

No name socks, and a lousy old shoe company, man that will go along great with the $1 reversable jerseys!!

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

The ABA version:
Mountain High Hosiery Changes Name To Mountain High Knitwear
10/14/07 - American Basketball Association (ABA)

San Diego, CA. Mountain High Hosiery, one of today's largest hosiery manufacturers and the Official Socks of the American Basketball Association (ABA) announced that the company is changing its name to Mountain High Knitwear. The change reflects the company's strategy to expand and grow its licensed and proprietary businesses, including entering the accessory market and adding knitwear items.
Mountain High Knitwear will also introduce a new corporate identity and new B-to-B website, www.mhknitwear.com for Spring 2008, which was launched this month. The company's brands include Sean John, Tommy Hilfiger, Bill Blass and Royal Burmuda and has recently signed Pony, the Official Shoes of the ABA.

"The new company name, Mountain High Knitwear, is part of our overall strategy to build upon our expertise and category leadership, and to maximize our manufacturing and merchandising capabilities to better serve the market, said Gerald Brin, CEO of Mountain High Knitwear. "As a premier knitwear manufacturer, we have provided leading brands with our manufacturing expertise and creativity. We are exciting to introduce new, innovative products and advanced technologies to our customers."

"All ABA players will be wearing exciting new Mountain High socks this season," added Joe Newman. "And with the new Pony shoes, they will be playing in high style." For more information, call 619 262 9202 or visit www.mhknitwear.com or www.abalive.com.

The company's release (I defy you to find any mention of the ABA):
http://www.mhknitwear.com/company/news.asp
Company
NEWS
SAN DIEGO, CA (September 2007)

Mountain High Hosiery, one of today’s largest hosiery manufacturers, announced today that the company is changing its name to Mountain High Knitwear. The change reflects the company’s strategy to expand and grow its licensed and proprietary businesses, including entering the accessory market and adding knitwear items.

Mountain High Knitwear will also introduce a new corporate identity and new B-to-B website, www.mhknitwear.com, for Spring 2008, which will be launched in September. The company’s New York showroom will undergo a renovation to incorporate its roster of brands, including Sean John, Tommy Hilfiger and Royal Bermuda.

“The new company name, Mountain High Knitwear, is part of our overall strategy to build upon our expertise and category leadership, and to maximize our manufacturing and merchandising capabilities to better serve the market,” said Gerald Birin, CEO of Mountain High Knitwear. “As a premier knitwear manufacturer, we have provided leading brands with our manufacturing expertise and creativity. We are excited to introduce new, innovative products and advanced technologies to our customers.”

Can't make their own positive news, so Joe insists on riding other coattails...

If Joe spent half the time securing his final list of teams and releasing a comprehensive schedule that he did begging people to see him as relevant, the damn league might be in a better situation than it is - again - for the upcoming season.