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ABARedWhiteBlue
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a classic Newman-esque owner

Post by ABARedWhiteBlue » Sat Sep 24, 2016 3:30 am

wanted to revive one of my favorite threads for this one - a true example of the Newman School of vetting owners...

http://www.dodgeglobe.com/news/20160922 ... m-for-team
Third time a charm for team?

By Roger Bluhm/@roger_dcglobe
Shawn Smith really wants to bring a new sports team to Dodge City.

Smith’s first attempt was announced in January as he tried to create a new basketball league to go with the Dodge City Mavericks.

By mid-March, plans for a Central Basketball League were dropped and the Mavericks became a proposed semi-pro football team.

"Just to keep everyone up to date with the Mavericks, it was a board decision to stick with the name and make it a minor league football team," Smith said at the time. "We didn't really have enough interest in basketball and we are willing to try this route."

Despite stating there isn’t enough interest in basketball, Smith sent out a release earlier this week announcing the Dodge City Enforcers basketball team.

"The Enforcers have found a home in Dodge City," the release said. "The Enforcers will start play in the 2017-18 season and are looking to join the American Basketball Association."

Smith said the Enforcers season will run from early November to April.

The problem with Smith’s press release is simple — the Daily Globe can not find the venue the team intends to call its home court.

"They aren’t playing here," said Dodge City Community College athletic director Casey Malek. "We haven’t had contact with them."

When asked about playing at the Dodge City Civic Center, Dodge City High School athletic director Jay Gifford said, "To my knowledge, they have not contacted anyone in USD 443 regarding the possibility of using the civic center."

"We haven’t heard from anyone," said Chris Ragland, executive director of United Wireless Arena. "We’d be happy to and see if we can work something out, but I haven’t talked with Shawn."

The Daily Globe also checked with the Dodge City YMCA, but was told they’ve had no contact with the Enforcers and they couldn’t accommodate the team due to open gym and league games at the facility.

When contacted about a venue, Smith replied, "That will be in the next release."

Dodge City was the home of the Dodge City Legend, a United States Basketball League squad from 2000 to 2007. The Legend, which played at the civic center, won USBL titles in 2000, 2003 and 2005 and were supported by fans in Dodge City.

The Legend were owned by area business leaders.

According to reports, Smith owned the Kansas Cagerz of the USBL during that time. The team was based in Salina and played at the Bicentennial Center.

The American Basketball Association has 12 divisions divided geographically throughout the US. The Dodge City Enforcers would likely play in the Great Plains Division of Kansas City Steel, Bartlesville Rimrattlers, Tulsa Twisters, Kansas City Soul, Colorado Cougars, Colorado Kings and Salina Saints.

Last year, when announcing the Mavericks and Central Basketball League, Smith and his One Sports Distraction Group, also were trying to create ABA teams in Salina, the Thunder, and Topeka, the Aviators. Neither team survived, but a new ownership created the Salina Saints and joins the ABA this season.

There are no local offices for the Dodge City Enforcers and Smith is asking for coaches and players interested in the team to email him at dodgecityenforcers@gmail.com. For more information, contact Smith at 785-379-1180.
The more things change...
Proud to be "Mean-spirited blogger #10K" ;)
And we believe it is better to have critics and people who care than not to have interest at all. Joe Newman 6/30/05
I never said the ABA had the greatest numbers regarding retention of teams. OldSchoolBaller (neither did we :rolleyes: )
The ABA has tarnished minor league professional basketball throughout this country Ed Krinsky 2/15/06
We are now making some adjustments to our schedule - Joe Newman 10/9/08 in perpetuity

markaba
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Post by markaba » Fri Nov 18, 2016 1:43 pm

[quote=""robster2001""]If Joe is signing contracts with these dreamers... and I'm sure he is... it's not unfeasible that he's clearing $10k or more a month from all of the failed franchises on the hook for $250/month payments. Or perhaps he's just shaking them all down for settlements and still pulling in a ton of money.

This would explain a lot.[/quote]

And remember, if they fail he can resell the SAME MARKET again and again. Plus sponsors he hoodwinks with the ABA name.

LightningMan
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Location: Wilmington, NC

Post by LightningMan » Thu Mar 23, 2017 11:27 am

[quote=""markaba""]And remember, if they fail he can resell the SAME MARKET again and again. Plus sponsors he hoodwinks with the ABA name.[/quote]
Sometimes I think the only reason he can keep operating is the small amounts that he charges these "owners".

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