ABA in Chicago

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I did the math long ago and came to the conclusion that the ABA expansion plan was nothing more than a pyramid scheme. Locating an ABA franchise here in the Chicago area adds more evidence to the pyramid theory.

Chicago markets itself as a world-class city. The people of Chicago WILL NOT support minor league basketball (and that's been proven before). The people in the north and south suburbs of Chicago WILL NOT support minor league basketball either. The Chicago media especially WILL NOT support minor league basketball (or any other minor league for that matter). If you cross the border into Indiana, the Hoosier people WILL NOT support another minor league basketball team--especially one with the words Chicago in front of it. There just isn't any interest.

A Chicago franchise has absolutely NO chance of survival whatsoever. It is all about making money at the top of the ABA pyramid.

[Houston Caldwell]

Ken, you forgot to mention that the ownership group is the same group that failed to get a franchise going in Pensacola.

[Sam Hill]

They're trying Chicago again? I missed that announcement.

Ho. Lee. Cow.

You're right - it's not going to work.

Love this quote: "We have much to do in a very short time. Fortunately, the media and press in Chicago is very favorable towards the ABA and have offered to assist us in getting the word out. "

Yeah. I'm sure the Chicago media listened to your request to promote a fly-by-night minor league basketball team in a dodgy league and said, "Oh, just let us know - whatever we can do to help, we'll do. Because that's just the kind of media market we are."

I swear you need hip waders to get through all the bullsh!t this league throws out there.

Where are you going to play? Is that church basement still available? You're not going to play at United Center, even if the NHL doesn't play, because you're not going to be able to afford it and the Bulls aren't going to be stupid enough to let you play there unless you pay up front.

UIC is probably out - I think there's an indoor soccer team playing there this winter, as well as the Flames.

Whatever they call the old Rosemont Horizon now has an AHL team, arena football, the circus, and DePaul basketball.

That's pretty much it unless they're going to try Chicago State or someplace like that.

This completes their expansion for 2004-2005? Not a moment too soon, huh?

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Yeah Houston...AND this guy Owens swore up and down that he was relocating to Pensacola because he enjoyed the atmosphere so much on a previous visit. Chicago is a long way from Pensacola. A lot colder too. :shock:

...AND he also swore on a stack of bibles that he already had funding available to build an arena. He just needed to find some land.

Well, there's plenty of free land in the Chicagoland area. As a matter of fact, civic leaders will bulldoze over an entire block of occupied homes and businesses if you have the means to build a new arena.

Of course, this addresses the issue of where the Chicago Soldiers will play. A domed, monolithic, 6500 seat arena will be built for them.

[sportsfan2004]

Why not they put the Chicago Solders in Du Page County instead of Chicago Ridge? Why be owned buy the Chicago Blaze in the NWBL?

[Sam Hill]

Is there a place to play there?

That's the key. They gotta have a place to play.

[not so fast]

I can't see how a team who could not get even 10 players to a free agent camp in Chicago, where there are millions of people, not to mention that gary indiana and milwaukee is a short drive away, if they can't get 10 players with all of these markets to draw from, how are they going to field a team?

They have no coach, players, or solid venue to play in yet. There GM seems about 20 years old.

If they do play this season, I have a feeling the players will be driving to the road games themselves in their own cars.

[meyes]

At least they won't have to be driving from Chicago to either coast. :wink:

[Sam Hill]

They have no coach, players, or solid venue to play in yet. There GM seems about 20 years old.

That would make him one of the older GMs in the league, wouldn't it?

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

That is because there is no interest in minor league basketball in the city of Chicago whatsoever. It would not matter if the team took over 12 months to market itself (although THIS team chose 2 1/2 months for marketing :roll: ), Chicago residents could care less about this team.

That is part of the reason why the Gary Steelheads will not be televised throughout the entire Chicagoland region this year. There is no interest in minor league basketball beyond the Gary metro area. It was a total waste of money for such coverage and lavish production standards. Expect to see the Steelheads back on Northwest Indiana's version of PBS, Channel 56.

Actually, I suspect ALL the other major markets could also care less about the ABA. Why should they be any different from Chicago (although I don't have a feel for these places like I have for Chicago)? Last year, Rodman generated some interest. This year the league is going to need someone like former running back Ricky Williams to come home from Europe, switch sports, and put some butts in seats. Otherwise, I don't see the interest.

[Sam Hill]

But does anyone here do anything to themselves and enjoy it, or is it just my computer screen showing that?

[Sam Hill]

It seems as if someone has done something to the board so that every time you refer to yourself in the first person, it interjects something from the sixth grade.

Here, look:

I can't see why I can't just get to a place in my mind where I can have a good time and I don't have to worry about what everybody else thinks.

Good job, snapperhead.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

The Soldiers have a place to play. It's not in Chicago, but if you stand on the roof of this community college gym then on a clear day you can see the Chicago skyline 25 miles away.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3088995&l_id=64&t_id=1513

So, where's the schedule mentioned in the title of this release?

[Sam Hill]

I noticed that, too.

Did whoever does Chicago's releases go to school with whoever does Gwinnett's releases?

I was looking for a "playing schedule" since the release said it was about their "playing schedule" not their "venue."

Morons.

[not so fast]

Morraine valley is a real awkward place to get to. I can't even guess what other venues they had to choose from, my guess is none.

There is however a great venue right up the road from there, Saint xavier university. if this was a serious team, they would have secured that facility.


If this team does play this season, it will be a disaster in all ways. Whatever the aba is trying to accomplish by giving any and everyone a franchise, is beyond understanding.

[Sam Hill]

If this was a serious team, it wouldn't be in this league.
:D

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Yawn...snoze! :o :?

Still waiting on that ABA friendly Chicago media to mention the existence of an expansion franchise in (near) Chicago. Afterall, the media in town is supposedly willing to help promote that team. :roll:

Who cares about the flap between Sammy Sosa and Dusty Baker? Who cares about all the injuries to the Bears' starting lineup? Forget Scotty Pippen retiring. There is a new team in town that offers a fun and affordable alternative to the Bulls.

...well, at least that is how it should read when the Chicago media gets around to it.