Fall River Massachusetts?

[LightningMan]

Ran into an article in which someone there claims they're a fax away from being in for next year.

Is Fall River poised to be home to a professional minor league basketball team?

Michael Martin, a Durfee High graduate and a long time sports agent, said the announcement of a Premier Basketball League franchise landing in the Spindle City is imminent.

Martin on Wednesday said he was awaiting a fax from the PBL president. “I am still waiting for the press release,” Martin said. “We have a verbal commitment from the president and he was just waiting for the final draft to come across his desk.”

The PBL (thepbl.com) is in the latter stages of its three-month 2010 season.
The team, yet unnamed, would play at the Municipal Veterans Memorial (Bank Street Armory) and be coached by Michael Herren, radio talk show host and a former Massachusetts Player of the Year while at Durfee. Herren would also be part of ownership.

[misenern]

That would be good for travel, if it pans out.

One of the older 'PBL Fastbreak' programs talked with Millrat's GM Ian McCarthy and it seemed like they were considering moving the team to a city with a mid-sized venue for next season.

[misenern]

Well, the PBL has actually confirmed this team.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/swansea/spor ... m-on-board

PBL confirms Fall River team 'on board'

By Greg Sullivan
Herald News Staff Reporter
Posted Mar 11, 2010 @ 09:29 PM
Fall River —
The Spindle City’s reputation as a basketball town will get put to the test.
The Chicago-based Premier Basketball League has confirmed it is adding a Fall River team to its operations for the 2010-2011 season.

A pair of Durfee High School graduates, Michael Martin and Michael Herren, are heading the drive locally, and they will be part of ownership, Martin said.

Martin is a professional sports agent and a former professional baseball player in the Detroit organization. Herren hosts his afternoon talk show on WSAR and was a Massachusetts Player of the Year at Durfee.

Herren said Thursday the professional minor league team will be called the South Coast United and he will be the head coach.

Carrie Ann May, Director of League Operations, confirmed on Thursday the addition of the South Coast United to the PBL family, which this season includes nine teams.

“We’re looking forward to it. We’re excited to have another team,” May said. “Yes, they are on board.”

The team would play its 13 homes games at the Municipal Veterans Memorial (Bank Street Armory), which would get a face lift to be brought up to code, said Martin, an owner of Pro Partner Sports, which represents pro basketball players in the United States and abroad.
Martin said Mayor Will Flanagan and the city have embraced the addition of a pro basketball team.

“South Coast United is doing all the right things,” Dr. Severko Hrywnak, Chairman of the Board of the three-year-old PBL, said in a league press release. “They’re making sure they have everything in place; they have the support of the Fall River community, they have a building to play in, and they already have a fan base ready for PBL basketball. Their location also creates close rivalries with our two New England-based teams, the Vermont Frost Heaves and the Manchester Millrats, and improves our commitment to the PBL in the Northeast.”

PBL teams play a three-month, 26-game schedule, and the league features teams ranging from the Midwest to Canada to Puerto Rico. The PBL is in the midst of its 2009-2010 season. The league Web site is thepbl.com

The league’s anchor franchise, Rochester, N.Y., drew 8,500 for a game last weekend, Martin said.

Martin said the league is stocked mostly with post-college players and teams generally include local talent. Former Durfee High and Rhode Island College standout Bobby Bailey will be on the roster, Martin said.

Herren said his primary investment is in “sweat equity,” searching out investors and sponsors. He said the PBL is basketball’s equivalent of Double A minor league baseball.
Martin said the PBL is financially solid. He said player salaries run in the $200 to $700 per week range.

He said the PBL is a guard-oriented league, meaning fast break offense. Herren said he expects the South Coast United to average well more than 100 points per game. In its game last Saturday, Rochester defeated Maryland 140-107.

The league’s leading scorer is Puerto Rico national team star Elias Ayuso (23.3 ppg.).
Martin said the plan is to fill the MVM with 1,000 fans for the 13 home games. He said the league pays for travel, officials, and uniforms.

The league makes money not only from ticket sales but by streaming its game on the Internet. “It’s a model that works,” Martin said. “The capital is very solid.”

Ticket prices for South Coast United games would likely be $5, with concession/food packages likely available, Martin said.

Martin said he test drove his idea for bringing a franchise to Fall River by assembling a team made up of his company’s clients and entering it last October in a showcase hosted by the PBL franchise in Manchester, N.H. Herren coached that team which won the multi-day tournament, Martin said.

Martin said he has confidence in the volatile Herren as a coach and marketing meteor for the franchise. He said referees who worked the showcase in New Hampshire were very impressed with Herren and said they would like to work games he coaches. “I have no worries” about Herren, he said.

Martin said he envisions the Fall River franchise growing, in two or three years, to the point where it could be part of the NBA’s Developmental League.

He said the Puerto Rico team is essentially the highly-touted Puerto Rican national team which uses the three-month season to stay sharp for international play.

At least these guys have some media attention.

[heavesrock]

The Co-Owner (Mike Herren) named himself head coach and reaction in the comment section is not exactly positive:

I think the league needs to properly vet Mike Herren!!! And as far as the changes needed to the Armory, who is going to pay for this?? Lots of un answered ???'s I would advise the PBL as I've done to run a 'CORY CHECK' on Mike Herren!!! Cant wait to see how this plays out!!!!

Calling Herren 'volitile' is being charitable..'dangerous' would be a better term..it was Herren and his lackeys at WSAR who decided to get into a pissing match with the local newspaper..

$5 a ticket--money that will remain in my pocket..can't and won't support this with Herren involved..what happens when he punches out or threatens one of his players? Will Linda and Joe seperate them?

Well Mike Herren of all people thinks he is going to bring a semi-pro basketball team to Fall River. The problem is who made Mike Herren in charge? He is the last person we want representing Fall River on the 'big stage'!! I believe Mr. Herren has a dream, like many to become a part owner of this group. Who are your backers Mr. Herren? Just alot of 'Hot Air' from the biggest hot head on the southcoast. When you sit down with the people making the decission to choose Fall River amoung other communities, will you tell them about your not so shiney past? Let's sit back and watch how this one will play out?

What exactly are Herrens credentials for coaching a pro team ??

Maybe Herrren will get a decent pay check and be able to support his kid now. He still has not worked a real job in his life. He's a legend in his own mind. Hopefully the guardian angels walk through his neighborhood during a 'snow storm' in june or july. Lets see how many people he threatens to beat up if they don't attend the games.

Just like Herren's life this is going to be a complete failure. The only thing he is qualified to do in the Bank Street Armory is cleaning the toilets.