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Chicago complete ABA 2004 expansion

August 26, 2004 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release


Indianapolis, IN. Joe Newman, ABA Co-Founder, today announced the last of the upcoming season's expansion teams - Chicago, Illinois. According to Newman, "Virtually in every conversation we've had with TV, radio, sponsors, shoes, apparel, the Chicago market is brought up early in the conversation. Why not Chicago for an ABA team? It's one of the best basketball markets in the country and with the ABA diversification, it's a natural. So, we decided to move another 2005 team into 2004 - and begin play in Chicago in November."

Newman added, "Fortunately we had a tremendous young man very familiar with Chicago and Chicago basketball to step in and help the ownership group. Michael Ullrich will serve as General Manager; Mike graduated from Bogan High School and went straight into professional basketball."

The team will be owned by Chi-Town Sports Management Group headed by Anthony Owens. Owens stated, "We were lucky to find a person like Mike with the knowledge of the city and a passion for basketball. I know he'll put together a great organization and team."

Ullrich added, "We have much to do in a very short time. Fortunately, the media and press in Chicago is very favorable towards the ABA and have offered to assist us in getting the word out. And of course, our goal is to get right into the communities - the black, Hispanic and general market - including churches, schools, not-for-profit organizations, community groups and let them know that we have an exciting brand of fast paced professional basketball coming at affordable prices (like $10) with many area players that they'll recognize. It should be a great season."

"The team will be known as the Chicago Soldiers in honor of the men and women who defend our country and help make it possible for us to enjoy professional sports," stated Owens, "and we'll be coming out with special plans and programs for the military and veterans. Our way of saying thank you."

The team plans to hold a press conference shortly during which it will announce staff, coach, tryout camps, venue, sponsorships, tickets and other important information. For more information, email abachicagosoldiers@yahoo.com or call (317) 299-4720, extension 3 or email mullrich@celticintl.com or log onto www.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.


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