Starting ABA Team

[Prohoops]

I would like some info and thoughts about starting a ABA team please.

Thanks for any feedback!

[robster2001]

I'm going to copy a response I put to another aspiring entrepreneur elsewhere on OSC:

The best answer I can give you is "don't".

The ABA has failed multiple times in multiple locations, so that's a brand you might want to avoid -- not to mention that you get no help from the "league" at all. See the... oh... thousands of posts here and elsewhere about the failure rate of the ABA.

The brand is tarnished, and really adds no value to you or your prospective team. Depending on where you are, there are almost certainly better options -- up to and including getting together with other aspiring owners in your area to create a small regional league (examples include the TRBL in the Carolinas and FBA in Florida).

It comes down to a joke with a ring of truth - the one that goes "How do you make a small fortune in sports ownership? Start with a large fortune." Unless you are prepared to lose a lot of money early on, with no hope of recouping it, don't even open the doors. You'll save yourself a lot of grief.

On the other hand, if you ARE prepared, with sufficient cash reserves... and you realize this is going to be a very expensive hobby... well, good luck!

[LightningMan]

If you are determined to have a minor league basketball franchise, look at almost every other minor league out there except the ABA. If your operation's cash reserves are good and you are in the Great Lakes region, look to the PBL (but read up on them). If they are good and you're in Canada, look to the NBLoC. If you have smaller cash reserves and are in the Carolinas or Florida, look to the TRBL and FBA. If you're not in those places, look to do pick up games as an independent or start your own league.

I honestly would recommend throwing my money into the sewer ahead of the ABA, because with the sewer you already know the product will stink.

[Sam Hill]

If you start an ABA team, you will lose all your money.

If you lose all your money, you will have to move back in with your parents.

If you move back in with your parents, you may hear them doing it in the other room.

If you hear your parents doing it in the other room, you will run screaming from the house and into traffic.

If you run screaming from the house and into traffic, you will get hit by a bus.

Don't get hit by a bus. Don't start an ABA team.

[dmbishop]

If you look at the ABA, I would recommend buying TWO market reservations. That is the only way you will be able to guarantee that your opponent will show up for your home games. (I wish I was only kidding)

In all honesty, the others' advice was spot-on.

Dave

[JeffKuntz]

Originally Posted by Prohoops

I would like some info and thoughts about starting a ABA team please.

Thanks for any feedback!

phuqin go for it..

[Prohoops]

Thanks for the feedback. I really don't understand how I'm suppose to tell people I have to charge them $100 to try out.

[Sam Hill]

You're not helping, Jeff.

As for tryouts, that conversation is the least of your worries. You'll often have actual hard costs to defray (facility rental and the big one: insurance in case someone gets hurt at your tryout), but charging also keeps random guys from coming over during their lunch hour and trying out in jeans and work boots because they scored 20 a game in high school eight years ago.

Well, it should keep them out, anyway. There are crazy people out there.

[Prohoops]

Originally Posted by Sam Hill

You're not helping, Jeff.

As for tryouts, that conversation is the least of your worries. You'll often have actual hard costs to defray (facility rental and the big one: insurance in case someone gets hurt at your tryout), but charging also keeps random guys from coming over during their lunch hour and trying out in jeans and work boots because they scored 20 a game in high school eight years ago.

Well, it should keep them out, anyway. There are crazy people out there.

Thanks Sam but I know all about insurance and facility rental. I am a sports director at a high school.

I guess your right about the pay to try out part.

Thanks again fellas.

[Anonymous Spectator]

Originally Posted by Sam Hill

If you start an ABA team, you will lose all your money.

If you lose all your money, you will have to move back in with your parents.

If you move back in with your parents, you may hear them doing it in the other room.

If you hear your parents doing it in the other room, you will run screaming from the house and into traffic.

If you run screaming from the house and into traffic, you will get hit by a bus.

Don't get hit by a bus. Don't start an ABA team.

And the award for the best post of the century goes to...SAM HILL!!!

It's your world, I am just happy to be part of it.....LMAO!!!