Vermont media - Alex vs. Joe

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Thought it would be easier to post these in their own thread
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/a...ORTS/805100313

May 10, 2008


Frost Heaves headed to new league

By Steven Frank
Free Press Staff Writer

For the Vermont Frost Heaves, it's two and out.

After claiming two championships in as many seasons in the American Basketball Association, Vermont's professional basketball team announced Friday it's leaving the ABA and joining the Premier Basketball League.

Frost Heaves founder and president Alex Wolff said the ABA's instability triggered his decision. The league had 36 teams at the start of the season but only 16 finished. As a result, the ABA played fewer than 40 percent of its scheduled games.

Two teams on Vermont's schedule -- Cor ning and Syracuse -- didn't make it out of the season's first month. Strong Island, another team that was slated to play Vermont and whose owner was the ABA's chief financial officer, also left.

"We got very scared," said Wolff, who added that he almost pulled the team out of the ABA in January but ultimately thought finishing out the season was the right thing to do.

"We're going to be able to concentrate more on our basketball team because we're not constantly, frantically, wondering if teams are going to be counted on. This will allow us to deliver a better experience to the fans."

ABA co-founder and chairman Joe Newman disagrees and remains confident about his league's future.

"It's a stupid decision but they can do what they want," said Newman, who added that he was discouraged and shocked by Vermont's departure. "We're growing rapidly. It's not even a blow. We're going to have between 40 and 60 teams next year."

Wolff prefers the PBL's approach toward expansion.

"The PBL isn't admitting new teams willy-nilly," he said. "They're actually doing the due diligence on teams. That gives us a sense of consistency that we can count on so we can do things like locking down a schedule early."

The Manchester Millrats, responsible for all four of Vermont's losses over the winter, will remain part of the Frost Heaves' schedule. Manchester also announced Friday it was bolting the ABA for the PBL.

In addition, the Heaves will renew rivalries. The PBL-champion Rochester Razor Sharks were Vermont's main foe during the 2006-07 ABA season. Vermont also played that season against PBL franchises Maryland and Wilmington (N.C.).

The PBL began play last season with 10 teams and operated a 20-game schedule between January and March. The Heaves played 36 games in each of their two ABA seasons, with the 18 home contests split evenly between Barre and Burlington.

Wolff said the PBL is considering increasing the number of games. If that doesn't happen, Wolff said he would try to schedule exhibitions and tournaments against other PBL teams.

"We're confident that we'll be able to provide for our fans and our sponsors a schedule that will come close to the 18 home games that they are accustomed to," said Wolff, who added that home games will again be split next season.

"We're still committed to both markets. It allows us to reach out to fans across the Champlain valley and in central Vermont."

Contact Steven Frank at 309-2363 or sfrank@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs....WS01/805100347

Frost Heaves ditch ABA, join new league

By Anna Grearson Times Argus Staff

The Vermont Frost Heaves will not defend their back-to-back American Basketball Association titles.

Rather, the team will look to establish itself in the Premier Basketball League alongside ABA northeast rival Manchester. Both teams announced their separation from the ABA and association with the PBL on Friday.

"It wasn't done without a lot of thought," Frost Heaves president Alex Wolff said. "We spent the period since (winning the 2008 ABA championship on March 30 in) Quebec City looking at all the options – CBA, ABA and PBL. The NBADL was not an option for variety of reasons. We feel very strongly that our ABA experience was a magnificent one, and one that established us as an organization. In the end, it was driven by a need for a certain amount of predictability."

Vermont ruled out the Continental Basketball Association based on the economic hardships and went for the PBL in part because of a familiarity with current PBL organizations.

"The CBA has teams strewn all over the country," Wolff said. "Albany is their only representation in our neck of the woods, and it's hard to justify that financially. We were very impressed with their deputy commissioner, but in the end what tipped it was that we'd be part of something that's still building with the PBL. We're familiar with a lot of the owners in the PBL and will renew rivalries with other owners who were in the ABA."

After amassing a 71-10 record in two seasons spent atop the ABA power rankings, the Frost Heaves decided to let go of the red, white and blue basketball and embrace the more traditional orange ball. Aside from a few slight alterations to the Heaves' logo – primarily removing said multi-colored basketball – from uniforms and other team products, the Vermont Frost Heaves experience will largely remain the same. All home games will still be played at the Barre Municipal Auditorium and Burlington's Memorial Auditorium.

"We're going to have to change the uniforms and logo with some branding issues," Wolff explained. "We don't intend to reinvent our graphic look at the moment. The Frost Heaves are the Frost Heaves, and I think that's one thing our fans shouldn't be alarmed about. There's going to be a Bump the Moose, and people can count on us delivering essentially the same product but maybe at a more consistent level than in the last few years."

Joe Newman, CEO of the ABA, said the loss of two of this past season's Final 8 participants "means nothing" to the league.

"I have nothing but respect for the fans and people of Barre and Burlington," Newman said. "The quality of the operation has been outstanding. The ABA is disappointed, but that's business. They made a business decision, God love them. Let them do what they want to do.

"They aren't in the top eight; I don't want to glorify that at all. They're leaving and it does nothing. I will have a league twice as large as the league they're going to. I'd like to put it out of my mind and focus on the things we're going to do. It's nothing. On a scale of 1-10, it means nothing."

The PBL featured 10 teams in its inaugural season this past winter, including the Maryland Nighthawks, Wilmington Sea Dawgs and the former ABA champion Rochester Razorsharks – all three of which faced the Heaves in their first season two years ago. The Razorsharks are also responsible for two of Vermont's 10 losses.

Other current PBL franchises include the Jacksonville SLAM, Reading (Pa.) Railers, Arkansas Impact, Chicago Throwbacks, Dallas Defenders, Quad Cities (Iowa) Riverhawks and Rockford (Ill.) Fury. Also expected as expansion teams are Toronto and Buffalo. Word spread across various fan sites that the ABA's Quebec City Kebekwa were also moving to the PBL, but no official word has emerged from either league.

Each of the 10 PBL teams played out a 20-game schedule with 18-2 Rochester emerging as the 2008 PBL champions, with a 142-112 win over 10-10 Arkansas.

Wolff would not comment on the specifics of the financial terms agreed upon between Vermont and the PBL but did say both sides were satisfied with those terms. Wolff did say the team and the league will work together to allow Vermont to play a schedule more in tune with the 18-game home lineup the fans are used to.

"The specifics are going to be hammered out as we go forward, but it looks like they have committed to play more than 10 teams, 12, and there may be another team or two going forward," Wolff said. "They might play a few more games, and beyond that we do have a commitment to the league that we can play more games with mutual approval. We'll work with the PBL to put together a schedule of games that will come close to what our fans are used to. We will not play only 10 home games; I can assure fans and sponsors of that."

Now that the league affiliation is settled, the biggest question remaining for Vermont is whether or not coach Will Voigt, whose two-year contract is up this spring, will return for a third season.

"Two things needed to play out," Wolff said. "Number one, the league affiliation question, which determines where we are as a business and a basketball team. Number two, it's that time of year that the coaching carousel goes round and round. After two great seasons he is given full entitlement to look around."

The Frost Heaves are not alone in their uncertain coaching status as the Millrats are looking to fill a void in the next 30-60 days after recently releasing coach Larry Lessett.

"We'll take applications for coaches this summer," Manchester general manager Ian McCarthy said. "I know his status is of great interest to the Vermont fans."

Regardless, Frost Heaves basketball will be played in Barre and Burlington this winter.

"The message here is nothing substantial is going to change with the Frost Heaves," Wolff said. "The mood, atmosphere and what we stand for will all stay the same."

[formerlyknownasfells]

Dude, what am I, chopped liver?

The Premier Basketball League announced today that the Vermont Frost Heaves and Manchester Millrats have left the American Basketball Association and will join the PBL for the 2008-2009 season. Reliable sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity have said Quebec City and Montreal may also leave the ABA with that announcement to be made on Monday. Other sources are hinting the mass exodus will continue as the Texas Tycoons are set to leave the ABA with Tycoons owner Charles Key taking over operations of the Dallas Defenders.

Some are moves that have been anticipated for many weeks as the solid ABA teams have grown weary of the league's instability. Last year, less than 39 percent of the league's games were played with 17 teams folding or leaving the league over the course of the season, including the Halifax Rainmen who left despite the fact it had qualified for the playoffs.

PBL President and CEO Thomas E. Doyle said in a news release, "We receive a tremendous number of inquiries and applications and are excited to welcome these solid organizations which will be great compliments to our current ownership groups..."

Vermont was the ABA's marquee franchise, headed by Sports Illustrated writer Alex Wolff. The Heaves won the ABA's last two titles. Manchester's well-heeled ownership was also highly sought after.

Several team sources cited the instability of the ABA and concerns for its future as a chief reason for leaving.

Frost Heaves owner Alex Wolff said about his decision, "When the season ended, we started to look at other opportunities, those being the CBA and the PBL. We needed to be with a league we could count on, and our loyal fans deserve better."

Wolff also cited a game against the Boston Blizzard and said he expects the level of competition to be much stronger in the PBL, along with the revival of some old rivalries. Wolff said, "We had a great run in the ABA with two titles, and we loved the tradition of the ABA, but we will also be able to continue some great rivalries with Rochester, Maryland and Wilmington."

Manchester Millrats GM Ian McCarthy said of the Millrats' move to the PBL, "We know what the ABA has not been able to deliver and we see this as a great opportunity for the franchise and our fans." McCarthy also responded to anticipated charges that the PBL actively recruited the Millrats by saying, "The PBL did not recruit us. At the end of the season we went to them (PBL) and the CBA because we needed to find a place that was more stable and has a better business model. The PBL has quite a few financial incentives as well where they pay for travel and officials."

In response to the departure of Vermont and Manchester, ABA CEO Joe Newman said, "We respect their decision and wish them well. Today, the ABA is bigger, stronger and more focused on the tremendous opportunity ahead. The 2008-2009 season will be a remarkable sign of growth for the ABA."

When asked how the defections of Vermont and Manchester will affect the ABA, league President and Chief Operating Officer Quentin Townsend said in an email, "The ABA is now entering its seventh year since its return. The ABA is bigger, stronger, and more focused on the tremendous opportunity ahead. The 2008-2009 season will be a remarkable sign of growth for the ABA as key adjustments are being made to solidify and secure a proper foundation that is both marketable and profitable. There will be several announcements over the next few weeks regarding new expansion teams, ABA regulations, and league scheduling."

The big question is not whether the ABA can survive. The ABA has seen approximately 185 announced teams (including Manchester, Vermont, Montreal and Quebec) depart the league since its rebirth in 2000-2001. There have been scandals where coaches have been fired during a timeout; the mysterious case of the Hawaii owner who sold season tickets and took off with the deposits, and who can forget the eight teams that left the league during the playoffs?

The ABA needs to become more stable and they need to do it quickly. CEO Newman has previously stated new teams will be required to post a $30,000 entrance fee and prove a line of credit. On paper this is a good step, but according to sources, Newman is not collecting any of those fees and is allowing teams into the league at little to no cost or providing financing option with little money down. These are some of the same policies that have led to numerous team failures in the past.

This is a coup for the PBL and a blow to the ABA. The PBL has been able to secure at least two and as many as five solid franchises with reputable ownership and management. The PBL is making a strong case for being one of, if not the top league in minor league basketball. The ABA, on the other hand, appears to be going downhill fast.

Chris Munson is a freelance writer and broadcaster based in Burlington, Vermont. (Soon to be Jacksonville, Florida) Chris is the former Sports Director for ESPN Radio Vermont and has written for Our Sports Central, US Basket, Varsity Magazine, the Vermont Guardian and the Vermont Times.

[tbayz1]

I'm sure the departures "mean nothing" Joe, I'm sure! Real classy statements made in the articles, Joe; at least Quentin didn't take your approach in responding to these departures.

That cocky attitude Joe has in those articles shows me and probably many others is that this is a sign of insecurity and that he realizes his league could be in jeparody. He's just blabbing about how great his league is to hide behind how he really feels.

Joe couldn't replace all of the teams that went to the PBL this past season, and the struggles of this past ABA season showed that. And he won't be able to replace the teams leaving again. Vermont, Manchester, Halifax, and Quebec - all gone and with them they took the little stability the ABA had last season. Next season is going to be absolute chaos, and should be amusing to us "mean-spirited bloggers" Teams will be dropping like flies. We need to have more "guess who will fold games" come November

So with all of these teams leaving, I guess the Jersey Express are the model franchise of the ABA now...

[tops804]

"It's a stupid decision but they can do what they want," said Newman, who added that he was discouraged and shocked by Vermont's departure.

Not since the playground....A long time ago. Have I heard such grammer.

"We're growing rapidly. It's not even a blow. We're going to have between 40 and 60 teams next year."

Have they ever had between 40 and 60 teams taking the court in the
beginning of November??? I would be happy with 12, that actually played
a 36 game schedule...

O.K. I'd even settle for 6 teams...

"It's not even a blow."

Did he say this before, or after reading the Chris Munson article???

ABA suffers a big blow
by Chris Munson

http://www.oursportscentral.com/serv...es/?id=3637956

[The Magician]

ABA co-founder and chairman Joe Newman disagrees and remains confident about his league's future.

"It's a stupid decision but they can do what they want," said Newman, who added that he was discouraged and shocked by Vermont's departure. "We're growing rapidly. It's not even a blow. We're going to have between 40 and 60 teams next year."

Joe Newman, CEO of the ABA, said the loss of two of this past season's Final 8 participants "means nothing" to the league.

"I have nothing but respect for the fans and people of Barre and Burlington," Newman said. "The quality of the operation has been outstanding. The ABA is disappointed, but that's business. They made a business decision, God love them. Let them do what they want to do.

"They aren't in the top eight; I don't want to glorify that at all. They're leaving and it does nothing. I will have a league twice as large as the league they're going to. I'd like to put it out of my mind and focus on the things we're going to do. It's nothing. On a scale of 1-10, it means nothing."

Let me apologize to everybody beforehand ... But what a Wanker this guy is!

Losing the 2 time ABA Champion and Flagship of the ABA means nothing

I think the ABA CEO needs to keep quiet and let the NEW President of the ABA do all the talking.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

Originally Posted by formerlyknownasfells

Dude, what am I, chopped liver?

I only included unbiased media in my post...

[TEN]

Is this the new ABA mantra....

repeat after me...

the ABA is bigger, stronger and more focused on the tremendous opportunity ahead....

[Paul S]

Wow. Great job with finding those articles ABARWB. thanks

Fells your article was great as well. Very informative. You know, you touched on an issue that I really think could be very interesting to a lot of us here on OSC (or OCS as Indy Rox calls it) but that whole Hawaii owner and the 25 000 dollar season tickets that vanished. I'd love to find out how that all played out.

I really, really, really, truly, honestly thought Joe had done the right thing with this. I really thought when he said "we wish them well" that the ABA had turned a corner and was being run in a professional manner. I really did.

The comments that have killed it for me..........

ABA co-founder and chairman Joe Newman disagrees and remains confident about his league's future.

"It's a stupid decision but they can do what they want," said Newman, who added that he was discouraged and shocked by Vermont's departure. "We're growing rapidly. It's not even a blow. We're going to have between 40 and 60 teams next year."

That almost would have been acceptable, but he has to throw in the "its a stupid decision". I just look and shake my head. Then this.........

They aren't in the top eight; I don't want to glorify that at all. They're leaving and it does nothing. I will have a league twice as large as the league they're going to. I'd like to put it out of my mind and focus on the things we're going to do. It's nothing. On a scale of 1-10, it means nothing."

His attitude almost forces people to root against him. Joe is a great salesman, Joe has come up with a vision and an idea for a great league, Joe is a great public speaker and a successful businessman............but he can't run a league and he can't see that making statements like this really does hurt him, his league and his name.

[a1sports]

Joe a great public speaker and a succesful business man????

I sat at the ABA meeting as you recall. Joe is nothing more than a Bullshi--er and people let themselves buy into it. He has BullSh--ted some smart businessmen is true, but they soon learn he is full of sh-t and leave the ABA. The ones that have no money hang on to his BS in hopes of getting the fortunes he promises them.

[ABARedWhiteBlue]

I'd be very curious -

based on the teams that completed last season, who ARE the top 8 franchises in Joe's view?

Here is one of the last Power Rankings from '07-'08:

ABA POWER RANKINGS
1. Vermont Frost Heaves
2. Manchester Millrats
3. Beijing Aoshen Olympian
4. San Diego Wildcats
5. Texas Tycoons
6. OC Gladiators
7. Quebec Kebekwa
8. Atlanta Vision
9. Westchester Phantoms
10. Long Beach Breakers
11. Halifax Rainmen
12. Montreal Royal
13. Jersey Express
14. San Francisco Rumble
15. Boston Blizzard

"They aren't in the top eight" and yet at least one was in the top TWO for most of the season, including both at year's end.

Revisionist history was a lot easier before the internet...