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Ask the CEO

December 13, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release


Question: "Why haven't you responded to the comments in the press about the ABA returning to Rochester, NY?"

Answer: Thanks for the question. Or should I say questions. I have been bombarded with questions about this subject and have consolidated the questions and the extensive comments about it. First, let me say that I really appreciate the tremendous response from so many fans in Rochester. The positive responses to the announcement outnumbered the negative ones 3 to 1. To me, it indicates that many of you miss the exciting ABA brand of basketball and the affordable prices too and that you are looking forward to an ABA team returning next season. Others were mostly concerned about whether two teams could make it in Rochester. Here's my answer.

I would have expected nothing less than the comments made by the owners of the present team there to react as they did. The ABA's return to Rochester is anything but a vendetta and we are certainly not vindictive. I am sure that when Burger King decided to open in Rochester that McDonalds did not go on the radio and in the newspaper complaining about competition. And when Lowes decided to open in Rochester that Home Depot did not go on the radio and in the newspaper complaining about competition. And when Target decided to open in Rochester that Wal Mart did not go on the radio and in the newspaper complaining about competition.

Competition is at the heart of the free enterprise system. Competition is Capitalism 101. There is never anything wrong with good healthy competition. The people of Rochester benefit from competition because it makes companies perform at the highest possible level. If they don't, they won't succeed. The quality of the product, the service and the value for the customer (fan) improves with healthy competition. Rochester is one of the finest sports cities in the US and deserves the best quality basketball at affordable prices. Nothing less.

For a league whose total marketing plan consists of recruiting ABA teams to complain is nonsense and childish. My suggestion is that they go about their business of offering good basketball at affordable prices and let the fans of Rochester determine which they will support. But as I said, I expected nothing less. We have become used to it. If you have a question, please email conniejoenewman@aol.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.



American Basketball Association Stories from December 13, 2007


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.


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