Aaronhere
01-07-2008, 12:44 PM
EVIDENCE FROM THE MEDIA REPORTS
Montana Standard - 1-6-2008
He (Former Great Falls head coach Scott Wedman) said he and his players refused to play in Saturday’s game because of financial problems that have plagued the organization. On three previous game days “it came right down to the wire where guys weren’t going to play unless they were paid,” he said. “(Saturday night) was just another one of those nights. And this time no one came through with money,” he said. “It just seems like a dead-end road.”...“All along, it’s been an uncomfortable situation,” he said. “Our players have been staying in apartments that weren’t paid for. They’ve been evicted. “Checks had bounced. ... We’ve had a lot of promises that haven’t been kept by the CBA and Mr. Tuckman.”
Great Falls Tribune - 1-7-2008
Earlier Sunday, (Michael) Tuckman offered Wetzel a job as "interim head coach" for the next four games. The 27-year-old Wetzel, a Cut Bank native, considered the offer and even asked Tuckman to fax a document to him in Great Falls specifying his terms of employment. But Wetzel didn't take the offer. Tuckman called his coaching vacancy "a fluid situation" and said Wetzel was welcome to rejoin the Explorers if he wished. In a related CBA issue, the Butte Daredevils also contacted Wetzel about a potential coaching position, since their head coach, Patrick O'Herron, has refused to continue working until he's been paid. Wetzel also declined the Butte offer. "What's been lost in all this is the integrity of the game," Wetzel said Sunday night. "If they just want to throw five guys on the court, I don't want to be part of that." Wetzel said he doesn't want to take sides in the dispute. "In his (Tuckman's) defense, he stepped in and gave us the opportunity to play 20-some games," said Wetzel, who like the players hasn't received regular paychecks. Tuckman, who bought the team from Apex Sportstainment just before the season started, acknowledged the team has financial problems caused by poor attendance — less than 400 fans per game — and high expenses. Tuckman also owes SMG, which manages the arena for Cascade County, more than $10,000 in rent fees. "It's not that uncommon (in minor league basketball) for players not to be paid on time," said the owner, who previously operated basketball teams in the Seattle area. "There are cash-flow problems across the CBA. The Rio Grande players recently voted to take 10 percent salary cuts."
* Checks bouncing in Great Falls
* Butte's coach not being paid
* "Cash flow problems across the CBA"
* 10 percent salary cuts in Rio Grande Valley
Tell me I am wrong, but I don't have a warm, fuzzy feeling for the CBA lasting much longer...
Montana Standard - 1-6-2008
He (Former Great Falls head coach Scott Wedman) said he and his players refused to play in Saturday’s game because of financial problems that have plagued the organization. On three previous game days “it came right down to the wire where guys weren’t going to play unless they were paid,” he said. “(Saturday night) was just another one of those nights. And this time no one came through with money,” he said. “It just seems like a dead-end road.”...“All along, it’s been an uncomfortable situation,” he said. “Our players have been staying in apartments that weren’t paid for. They’ve been evicted. “Checks had bounced. ... We’ve had a lot of promises that haven’t been kept by the CBA and Mr. Tuckman.”
Great Falls Tribune - 1-7-2008
Earlier Sunday, (Michael) Tuckman offered Wetzel a job as "interim head coach" for the next four games. The 27-year-old Wetzel, a Cut Bank native, considered the offer and even asked Tuckman to fax a document to him in Great Falls specifying his terms of employment. But Wetzel didn't take the offer. Tuckman called his coaching vacancy "a fluid situation" and said Wetzel was welcome to rejoin the Explorers if he wished. In a related CBA issue, the Butte Daredevils also contacted Wetzel about a potential coaching position, since their head coach, Patrick O'Herron, has refused to continue working until he's been paid. Wetzel also declined the Butte offer. "What's been lost in all this is the integrity of the game," Wetzel said Sunday night. "If they just want to throw five guys on the court, I don't want to be part of that." Wetzel said he doesn't want to take sides in the dispute. "In his (Tuckman's) defense, he stepped in and gave us the opportunity to play 20-some games," said Wetzel, who like the players hasn't received regular paychecks. Tuckman, who bought the team from Apex Sportstainment just before the season started, acknowledged the team has financial problems caused by poor attendance — less than 400 fans per game — and high expenses. Tuckman also owes SMG, which manages the arena for Cascade County, more than $10,000 in rent fees. "It's not that uncommon (in minor league basketball) for players not to be paid on time," said the owner, who previously operated basketball teams in the Seattle area. "There are cash-flow problems across the CBA. The Rio Grande players recently voted to take 10 percent salary cuts."
* Checks bouncing in Great Falls
* Butte's coach not being paid
* "Cash flow problems across the CBA"
* 10 percent salary cuts in Rio Grande Valley
Tell me I am wrong, but I don't have a warm, fuzzy feeling for the CBA lasting much longer...