A League Without a Fighting Chance?
by Ed Gross
Published on January 17, 2008 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
It didn't need to happen. Less than one month after responding to a question in regards to OurSports Central message board users, the ABA leader is at it again, using his 'Ask the CEO' column to mount another attack. In his first response, Joe Newman accused writers on the OSC message boards as being "mean-spirited," "hostile," and "shameful." He referred to their statements as "non-factual" and "distorted" and more surprisingly, they were accused of, "...working for other leagues." In one fell swoop, he stereotyped an entire group of posters as akin to sexual predators, stating he fully expects to see one of them on NBC's "To Catch A Predator" show. Amidst backlash, he found himself retracting some of what he said less the 72 hours later.
Now in his latest diatribe, he has chosen to use OurSports Central as his target. OSC is a target which he should realize is one of the only national media outlets willing to pick up on the follies of the ABA; a target which wishes it could write more about game and player stories, and less about his newest sales pitch. Without OSC, one wonders how many fewer people would even know about the ABA. This story, however, isn't about a minor league sports website.
Several days ago, I wrote an article regarding the behavior of ABA players and coaches at a game in Burlington, Vermont, where a full-scale melee broke out, forcing officials to call the contest with under a minute left. In my previous article, I mentioned the need for ABA leadership to step up and show it was capable of leading. Within days of the league going hands off, a mention was finally made of the incident in an 'Ask the CEO' column. In this column, Joe Newman made it clear that "There was no excuse for" this on-the-court behavior. Unfortunately, the statement was preceded by a list of excuses of why these players may have acted out in the manner in which they did. It did not address the issue that, for most of us, this type of behavior in the workplace would not only be unacceptable, but would immediately result in our termination.
The CEO's actions in 2007-08 have spoken volumes. A league which has consistently boasted, "having over 60 teams" began this season with only 36 on the schedule, about 21 of which still have a pulse, albeit a weak one in some cases. A franchise in Reno, Nev., insisted it would begin this season, its website boasting games in cities that wouldn't even house ABA franchises. In the end, the league blamed the arena lease, moved the games to high schools, then backed out of that deal at the last minute. Another last minute franchise in Pasadena pulled up stakes, relocated to Los Angeles, and barely began the season before being forced by the league to suspend operations. The list goes on like a geography lesson. Yet the ABA still boasts it is the fastest growing league in America and maintains an ever-changing list of expansion franchises on its website. Currently at 28 teams, it holds on to at least six, which were either originally announced for 2007 or played games before quitting this year.
This season saw other proclamations from the league. Included was one Internet television deal that boasted showing nearly 300 games of every ABA team. The deal has been limited to the home games of one franchise. Another television deal said to begin Friday night telecasts in January, has yet to materialize. The ABA Red, White and Blue Tour, a concert series, failed again to come into existence. Worse yet, it announced a major act and an opening night of December 15, 2007 in Anderson, Indiana. The date came and went without a team or concert in Anderson and no explanation from the league. A marketing deal for souvenirs has seen no products. All of these agreements have been announced, stated as fact, by the league CEO, the same CEO that blames media for league problems.
As a long time reader of OurSports Central, I know it doesn't want to bash anyone. Look at the league news of just about any sport and any league. It consists of scores, player stories and franchise movements. We are sports fans, not fans of the latest ABA business news. Without games played, with teams folding, and with sales pitches that are, at best, over-statements, its hard to concentrate on competitive game play.
One day, we can hope, the ABA sees the light and provides us with player stats, teams with histories, results of games played and franchises that consistently take the court. It may be time however for Joe Newman to remember many of his owners, players, and general managers are a part of the OSC community. Would he care to call them predators? If he feels picked on in regards to negative press, he may want to look around. No one is perfect or immune to being called out when they aren't. Teams, players and executives all make mistakes. It is time to stop playing victim and looking at others as the source of the problem. There is a solution, but only if he seeks it.
Rather than putting all "those bloggers" into one group, why not take their suggestions as constructive criticism? Most of them would like to see the league succeed, certainly more than he may think. If the ABA wants positive press, update the schedule with active teams. Play the games as scheduled and give some sort of sensible finality to this season. At this stage, that's all we can ask. If Newman isn't interested, it may be time for current owners to rethink what their league CEO really wants to get out of his league.
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.
American Basketball Association Stories from January 17, 2008
- Millrats Back Home This Saturday - Saint John Riptide
- A League Without a Fighting Chance? - OSC Original by Ed Gross
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
