Ask the CEO
October 20, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release
Question from Brian Ross, producer of the popular website, www.minorleaguenews.com: "Do you think there are too many professional basketball leagues?"
Answer: I responded directly to Brian yesterday, but thought the question was a good one and will answer it here also. No, I do not think there are too many professional basketball leagues. The objective of these leagues (other than the NBA) is to bring exciting, high-quality professional basketball to fans at affordable prices - and pro basketball leagues do that. Another objective is to give good players a place to play and extend their careers. It also provides coaching opportunities, referee opportunities, and of course, many staff and management employment opportunities. How can that not be good? It is the free enterprise system at its best. Competition is always good. However, ethics and sportsmanship and good competition is equally important. Leagues recruiting other leagues players and not honoring contracts is not right. Leagues recruiting other leagues teams is not right. Leagues badmouthing other leagues and using blogs and hiding behind anonymous email addresses and writing nasty, mean-spirited, profane emails is not right - and is not competition. Companies like Enron, Tyco, Adelphia, WorldCom and others have found too late that honor and integrity trumps everything - and leagues that compromise their standards of ethics will not survive. Leagues should demand of themselves what they demand of their teams - an equal dose of good strong competition and good sportsmanship on the court. There is no room in professional sports (or any business) for anything less. Thanks Brian. If you have a question, email joenewman@abalive.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
