Halifax players all living in one house....

[Paul S]

Well that guy up in Nova Scotia certainly thinks the ABA is one viable, for profit entity that is gonna pack them in.

Hes got all the players bunking in one house, he's started training camp and is trying to squeeze in another exhibition game vs Montreal or Quebec. He's still laboring under the delusion that all home games will be played.

Although in typical ABA fashion even an intrasquad game is tentatively scheduled!!!!!!!

another great article from that same paper in Halifax that Joe ripped (http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=63353&sc=92)

This poor man is in for a shock when teams start calling....

Top things heard when Halifax owners answer the phone from fellow ABA owners...........

1/ I can't make it unless you pay for us to travel.
2/ Wheres Halifax?
3/ Do you speak English in Halifax
4/ Joe said to call you, you'll need to book flights for us to get there, he'll re-imburse ya
5/ Can I drive to Halifax from Honolulu?
6/ Does your airport have direct flights to Macau? I need something cheap
7/ Is there any room for our guys in that house?
8/ Is there somewhere cheaper we can stay, that Motel 6 is outrageous
9/ Can we start the game 3pm instead, the soup-kitchen stops serving at 7 and we can't afford a restaurant
10/ I can't find you on this map of the United States, how do I get there from Chicago
11/ Can you pick us up? We're at the Greyhound station.
12/ Joe said to give you a call, does Amtrak go to Halifax
13/ Does it get cold there in January? See we're at the Cape Breton campground and only have thin tents.
14/ Would they mind if we slept at the gym?
15/ Whats the number for the homeless shelter so we can get a roof over our heads
16/ Joe said to give you a jingle, ummmm, you book our flights yet?
17/ Does Canada have any problems with hitchhikers? We're kind of short right now and.....
18/ Will you motel take an out of state check?
19/ You wanna come here instead of playing at home?
20/ Can you line up some part time work for us in between the games? We're a little tight and figured we could earn some extra coin.

[misenern]

I really hope they can make things work. The are really putting a lot of effort in to this.

I doubt it, but one can wish.

[nksports]

From Travelocity.com
"Eva Airways
Thai Airways Intl Ltd
Thai Airways Intl Ltd
Air Canada
Air Canada
China Airlines
China
Airlines
---
0 nonstops

---
0 nonstops

---
0 nonstops

---
0 nonstops

---
0 nonstops
$3,003
1 flight
$3,331
3 flights
$3,510
1 flight
$3,727
6 flights
$3,929
1 flight"

[psbf]

following of the league, I know what to expect. However, I would like to see the Rainmen succeed, as I feel their fans deserve it. Especially after the turnout I saw at last season's All-Star game. At least I would like to see them complete the season. I guess we'll just have to see how it goes.

[Strong Island Sound]

Will Halifax last the season? That's a good question, one that we will find out the answer in due time. The fact that they held the 2006 All-Star Game and have been able to build a team in a good sign. Other teams traveling there present a problem, no doubt.

To have the entire team residing in the same house for the season is a bit unique, but hopefully it will help them bond. It will be similar to training camps in the NFL, when they use dorms. Possibly the coaches feel that this is a good way to keep them together and they may be signing players from other areas. The house may be a cost-efficient move if they are including housing for their players (as opposed to hotels).

The article was not bad, and they are showing some community relations by hosting a BBQ, and having a neighborhood kid take the invitation to his school.

They seem to be doing things correctly. If the road team travel does not become a major sticking point, they may have some success.

[tbayz1]

Halifax seems like they are doing things right, and want to be sucessful

But like others have said, their biggest problem is the opposing team and travel!

Fans may not be happy when a game gets cancelled cause a team didnt show up, hopefully Halifax is ready to handle it professionally, giving their fans a heads up and getting the game rescheduled!

[Paul S]

I honestly think Strong Island has hit the nail on the head.

Joes wacky little league rewards
1/ Joe
2/ _______ (when I think of it I'll write it)

Joes wacky little league punish's
1/ guys who pony up real money and want to put in a good effort to make it work (a'la Halifax)
2/ suckers out of 10K
3/ minor league basketball

[Strong Island Sound]

I honestly think Strong Island has hit the nail on the head.

Joes wacky little league rewards
1/ Joe
2/ _______ (when I think of it I'll write it)

Joes wacky little league punish's
1/ guys who pony up real money and want to put in a good effort to make it work (a'la Halifax)
2/ suckers out of 10K
3/ minor league basketball

Wow. That was certainly an interesting twist on my comments. Hey, Paul - are you sure that you do not have some sportwriting experience?

[Paul S]

Strong Island - Sarcasm isn't your strong point. Although I truly believe the media will write the story they want to write in order to sell papers.

Admittedly, maybe I should have been clearer. I think you are right about Halifax doing this correctly and building a foundation. I also think that Joe's "me first" approach to building the league will kill Halifax within the ABA confines.

I really think the strong teams, such as yourself, Vermont etc. should be in their own super league or tighten up the reigns to force Joe to stop allowing in the Team Native America's of the world that basically kills the business.

I can only re-enforce to you my position of hoping the ABA turns around and is a success. I want the ABA to be successful. The problem is, in my opinion, that a vast number of teams in this league are not viable due to ownership and leadership issues. The league is a house of cards. If the house of cards falls down then Strong Island and Halifax hit the ground just as hard as __________ (insert ABA team here)

[Strong Island Sound]

I hope I do have some other strong points, though.

I am glad that you agree that you want to see the ABA succeed. What good would it do if it did disappear, even for the 'I told you so' crowd? Not much gained from that.

Do I feel that there can be much done to get it on the right track for success? I am sure that all of us have their own ideas that they feel are the right ones. A 'super-league' as you called it may not be a bad idea, because the stable franchises would be grouped together. But then what would the point be of having the other teams? Unstable franchises all put in the same bracket would be potentially disastrous as far as cancellations, etc.

Also, if there were a super league, the teams may be spread out over large areas, thus resulting in expensive road trips that are avoided with teams clustered in the same geographical area. It has some promise, but needs to be ironed out for some of the above reasons.

[misenern]

Strong Island,

Will the road trips to Halifax be feasible for your franchise?

[nksports]

According to Travelocity, the lowest airfare I found from New York City to Halifax is $349.93+taxes and fees. That's around $5,000 for a team and coaches.

[Paul S]

I drove to Halifax from Providence in 8-9 hours, Strong Island is only 3 hours from Providence unless he gets caught in Connecticut traffic which is almost inevitable. If he takes the fast ferry from Bar Harbor Me, to Nova Scotia that'll save time,

at the end of the day its still an drive that can be done in a day. Short of Air Canada having a seat sale to end all seat sales, drivings how I would get there.