Chicago PBL , Are they real?

[rider]

You got to wonder if Chicago is real? no web site ! no nothing! rochester's money or the league must be behind it?

[DazedAndAmused]

Rumor is that much of the management of this team (off the court) will be driven by the league office and more will be made known in a couple days.

Participation in the FIBA tourney apparently contributed to some of the delays associated with this team.

Someone else with closer contacts to the league should be able to confirm.

[rider]

Thats my point is there really a ownership group ? This is likely a league deal

[DazedAndAmused]

Ya, I have the same questions and agree with you. I don't think the problem necessarily is that the league backing this team in some way. The problem is that there are 25 days to opening night with seemingly little going on, but that assessment comes from the lack of a web site and nothing else (at least for me.) There was talk of an "International" team early on that would only be a traveling team. I wonder if that has morphed into a team based in Chicago that will be playing some home games, but whose primary purpose is to represent the league in FIBA events. Chicago being chosen as the home base because of the location of some of the key people involved. This is just supposition on my part. Seems like someone from the league could monitor and confirm or send comment of some sort. (After all, the PBL has many agents on OSC spreading rumors and lies!)

[QC_Hawks_fan]

The management and ownership from Rochester will be running the Chicago team, as of today they are planning on playing in Cicero but that is likely to change, Cicero Stadium does not have running water. The league & owners are committed to make the PBL a success for the fans. No phony business plans like that other league (Not an attempt to bad mouth the ABA, they don't need any help with that, they are doing fine on their own).

[Minor League Man]

The management and ownership from Rochester will be running the Chicago team, as of today they are planning on playing in Cicero but that is likely to change, Cicero Stadium does not have running water. The league & owners are committed to make the PBL a success for the fans. No phony business plans like that other league (Not an attempt to bad mouth the ABA, they don't need any help with that, they are doing fine on their own).
Do they have a website? A head coach? Players? Tryout info?

If not with two weeks before the season tips off, I guess they're not too committed to success...

[QC_Hawks_fan]

the same can be said of the Riverhawks, nothing on the team web site as far as exhibition games against the Rockford Fury last week and this week, no roster, coach, sponsor information BUT, they are real and I mean the are REAL.

I had the opportunity to watch them in Rockford against the Fury and I must say it's the type of basketball that is fun to watch, physical, fast and professional.

I recommend to anyone within an hour of a team to go, you won't be disappointed.

Happy Holidays.

[Minor League Man]

the same can be said of the Riverhawks, nothing on the team web site as far as exhibition games against the Rockford Fury last week and this week, no roster, coach, sponsor information BUT, they are real and I mean the are REAL.

I had the opportunity to watch them in Rockford against the Fury and I must say it's the type of basketball that is fun to watch, physical, fast and professional.

I recommend to anyone within an hour of a team to go, you won't be disappointed.

Happy Holidays.
However skilled the players may be, if you don't keep your fans up-to-date on what's going on, not very many will show up for the games...

QC has an advantage, because they're the top dog in their region...Chicago though, they've got the Bulls and plenty college teams, so they'll need to promote better and FAST!

And Merry Christmas to you too, QC Hawks fan.

[BBallBoy]

Not sure about this Chicago team but check out the thread from the Dallas Morning News. The Dallas team appears to be real in a big way. Owner came from Nike and coach worked for the Lakers.

[rider]

It's a couple of weeks before the tip off and Chicago is a joke, come PBL get your act together. You left the ABA to lead ! Your looking all to familiar! Your team web sites as a whole are very poorly maintained. We all want you to succed step it up quickly!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

the same can be said of the Riverhawks, nothing on the team web site as far as exhibition games against the Rockford Fury last week and this week, no roster, coach, sponsor information BUT, they are real and I mean the are REAL.

I had the opportunity to watch them in Rockford against the Fury and I must say it's the type of basketball that is fun to watch, physical, fast and professional.

I recommend to anyone within an hour of a team to go, you won't be disappointed.

Happy Holidays.

I live well within an hour of downtown Chicago. If I'm going to venture into the city, then I might as well catch a Bull's game. Beyond ego (the ability to impress chicks in bars), I can't understand the logic behind locating teams in Dallas and Chicago. Isn't there enough to do in those towns?

[QC_Hawks_fan]

would be and is a good place for a team in minor league sports.

UPDATE as to team ownership for Chicago: George Bellevue, sound familiar? ABA Chicago Throwbacks owner. The league will be monitoring him and the operation of the team very carefully, first time he stumbles, not even falls the league jumps in and takes over the operation of the team.

Had an opportunity to see the Throwbacks, I hope they get some experienced players or they will be spanked.

OH, by the way, they were schedule, ABA Throwbacks, to travel to Taiwan, the PBL office instructed them you go and you are OUT. The Throwbacks will not be traveling to Taiwan with red, white and blue balls.

[DazedAndAmused]

This is really not confidence inspiring, but I don't know much about this organization. This is definitely a weak link it seems. The PBL must have really wanted something in Chicago for some reason. Most of the other teams appear to have their acts together so far.

I hear what Ken is saying about minor league teams in major league cities, although the Defenders may have an easier time in Dallas than the Krunk will in Atlanta, only because of the huge Dallas attendance numbers vs. the Hawks.

[cdamion]

The Throwbacks are a good team.

The owner is committed to keeping his ABA team alive - something that is quite difficult to do when every team around him is failing.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Throwbacks were put to sleep and then reincarnated as the Aztecas when the PBL season starts.

[cdamion]

I also disagree with the statement that minor league teams wouldn't do well in big cities like Chicago.

If you look to hockey, Chicago has the Blackhawks in the NHL and the very popular Wolves in the AHL, plus a popular USHL (junior) hockey league team.

Prices in the majors are out of control. Families go to the minor league games because they can afford it. Generally speaking, a family of four can get into a minor league game for a fraction of the cost of the majors, and see a pretty good product.

[DazedAndAmused]

cdamion, I hope you're right. To those wanting to follow the PBL and hoping they succeed where others seem to have failed, the issue really is all of the apparent scrambling at the 11th hour. As long as this scrambling isn't happening during the season, I supposed that based on many standards they will be ahead of the curve. As an example, I think the CBA announced the RGV team the day before their schedule came out and they seem to be managing their season. In 2 weeks we won't have to guess anymore. I would see it as a black eye if the PBL did not have a Chicago team running with a solid organization by season's start.

[tbayz1]

The owners listed on the PBL site for the Chicago Aztecas are the same owners and GM that ran the Chicago Cometas of the ABA, who folded after 2 games.

So who knows whats going on in Chicago

[cdamion]

I saw that it was the same owner as the Cometas on the league website. The Cometas folded, I believe, because they had several no shows to start their season. I think he saw the writing on the wall with the ABA and got out quick.

My only basis for the owner of the Throwbacks owning the new Chicago team is this thread. I hope it is him that is going to own the Aztecas (I wouldnt mind at all if he changed the name either). The Throwbacks play in a nice facility - better than the high school gyms much of the ABA plays in.

I hope the league is viable. I do have my concerns with no website, no facility, no info, etc. less than 10 days before their first tip-off.

I'll snoop around for info and if I learn anything, I will post.

[DazedAndAmused]

I just got some info 3rd hand that suggests that QC Hawks is correct and that this team will somehow be a joint effort of perhaps the Rochester team and the Throwbacks owner, if not the Throwbacks directly. Apparently this has been in the works for many weeks, but as usual the PBL doesn't announce it in advance.

[cdamion]

I called the number for the Aztecas on the website and the person (at a restaurant) said that he is not going to have a team this year. He is planning to have a team next year.

[DazedAndAmused]

I think that is consistent with what QC Hawks is saying. But, I think that if the other sources are true, there will be a PBL team in Chicago (perhaps a sister team to Rochester) somehow involving (or being) the Throwbacks, with the Azteca owner as a sponsor. Not sure what that means for having another Chicago team next year.

[rider]

With Chicago being bogus and one owner owning two teams the league looks very weak. It's to bad!

I got to believe something significant has to happen between the ABA NE and the PBL very soon.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I also disagree with the statement that minor league teams wouldn't do well in big cities like Chicago.

If you look to hockey, Chicago has the Blackhawks in the NHL and the very popular Wolves in the AHL, plus a popular USHL (junior) hockey league team.

Prices in the majors are out of control. Families go to the minor league games because they can afford it. Generally speaking, a family of four can get into a minor league game for a fraction of the cost of the majors, and see a pretty good product.

Whoa! Actually, the Wolves don't play in Chicago and the Wolves are attractive to those on the Northside and Northwest suburbs...but that's nit-picking on my part. Since this is a basketball forum, I was talking about basketball. I'll easily stand by my statement because minor league basketball WILL NOT work in Chicago. It also will not work in Dallas. There's something called the Bulls and the Mavericks as competition in those towns. Can you provide one instance where minor league basketball works in a major league city? I cannot think of any such instances.

Prices in the majors are out of control?!? I attend at least 60 minor league games a year (for two different sports). I've got news for you. It's expensive as all heck to attend minor league games too. If you're a regular, it costs even MORE money. You're expected to tip the food and drink vendors...and don't forget the parking lot attendant who saved a spot for you or the usher who cleaned off your seat before you sat down. More money out of pocket.

It's an urban myth that minor league sports are less expensive than the majors. Let's just say that minor league teams tend to be closer to home and are thus more desirable. 8)