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For the ABA, It Keeps Getting Worse

by Chris Munson
November 12, 2008 - American Basketball Association (ABA)


Just when you thought things couldn't possibly get any worse for the much-maligned American Basketball Association, they did and in a very big way.

In a story broken here a couple of weeks ago, Chief Operating Officer Quentin Townsend was sued by Jayhawk Sports LLC, his former partners in the ABA's Atlanta Vision. The suit alleged Townsend defrauded them out of $200,000 in a ruse to lure an NBA D-League team to Atlanta. When asked for comment on the suit, ABA Chief Executive Officer Joe Newman instead chose to insult the reporter.

"Your motives are very clear, Chris. Anything you can do to embarrass the ABA is fair game," he wrote. "Shame on you. With all the problems that exist in the world today - the economy, gas prices, healthcare, AIDs, terrorism, education, etc., you seem to find some perverse joy in trying to ruin a very good and decent man as if this is your important mission in life."

Instead of going away, media in Atlanta picked up the story and reported that Townsend's wife had supplied Jayhawk Sports with evidence of his wrong-doing.

To make matters worse, Townsend was arrested on Friday in Gwinnett County (Ga.) on a charge of theft by deception, a charge directly related to the lawsuit filed by Jayhawk Sports. As of this writing, Townsend is being held in Forsyth County on a $600,000 bond. The arrest did not soften Newman's stance.

"I would have expected an email from you," he wrote. "And quite frankly, in a world with 6.6 billion people, you are the last person in the world to whom I would comment. Have a good weekend."

Today Newman suspended Townsend until the criminal investigation has been completed. According to these sources, Newman said Townsend expects to be exonerated. Townsend will continue to own the ABA's Atlanta Vision, though his mother and sister will run the organization in his absence. These sources also say that a group of team owners including Larry Leonard of the Houston Takers, Burrel Lee of the Maywood Buzz and Earl Childress of the St. Louis Stunners have been tapped to complete 2008-2009 league schedule. The ABA tipped off on Saturday.

Oddly, Townsend was still being quoted in ABA press releases though he remained in jail. In a Nashville Broncs press release sent to OurSports Central yesterday, Townsend allegedly said about the ABA season opener between Nashville and Knoxville, "Nashville is a great sports town with spirited fans and a talented pool of musical artists to tap into. This is why we chose Nashville as host of this season's ABA Finals ..to showcase to the nation all that the ABA has to offer. Expect a great season from this Broncs team."

The team quickly amended the release, replacing the Townsend statement with one from Newman.

Perhaps just as troubling, security concerns have been raised at at least one ABA venue. In a pre-season game in Fresno (Calif.), a shooting took place outside the gym during a game between the hometown Legends and San Francisco Rumble. There are conflicting reports as to what actually happened, but according to the Legends' press release, which was nearly impossible to decipher, the game was halted with about four minutes to go due to a flag football game taking place in the parking lot. But, according to television reports in Fresno, the game was actually halted due to a double shooting. Both victims are expected to make a complete recovery.

Chris Munson is the former Sports Director for ESPN Radio Vermont and is now based in Jacksonville, FL. Chris has written for Our Sports Central, US Basket, the Vermont Guardian, Vermont Times, d3football.com and Varsity Magazine. Currently, Chris does broadcast work for the University of North Florida on their volleyball and soccer broadcasts.

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 article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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