George "Iceman" Gervin, Detroit return to ABA
February 26, 2004 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release
Indianapolis, IN. Joe Newman, ABA Co-Founder, today announced the 9th team in the ABA pro basketball league's rapid expansion - Detroit's MOTOWN JAMMERS. According to Newman, "A fabulous group of people, headed by George "Iceman" Gervin, who will serve as Team President, has been put together. Gervin, an NBA Hall of Famer and one of the NBA's Top 50 players, began his career in the original ABA and led the Detroit Dogs to the ABA Championship as Head Coach three years ago. "His return to the ABA," stated Newman, "is very exciting. We are absolutely thrilled. This organization will add much to the league."
The team is owned by Motown Jammers, LLC, a corporation headed by Detroit entepreneur, Kenneth W. Bardwell. Others include:
Byron "Skipp" Willis, General Manager Antoine Joubert, Coaching Staff Charles E. Craig, Jr., Director of Operations Gwendolyn Titus, Marketing Director Bryan Bardwell, Account Executive Glover Earnest, Director of Player Personnel and Ronald D. Roberts, Corporate Counsel
Gervin added, "The ABA is making great strides because it has captured the attention of fans with its exciting, fast-paced play at affordable prices. It definitely reminds me of when I started in the league. These guys can run, shoot, pass and play awesome defense. The unique ABA rules make every minute action-paced. And you can be sure that the Motown Jammers will have a strong and competitive team."
Other expansion teams announced thus far are Portland, Pittsburgh, Little Rock, Nashville, Gwinnett GA, Kentucky, Vancouver BC and Reno. The Motown Jammers bring to 16 the number of teams committed for next season.
Jim Clark, ABA CEO, continued, "One of the goals for next season is divisional play to lower travel costs and to create more interesting rivalries. The addition of the Motown Jammers certainly brings this goal one step closer. And we will be announcing several additional expansion teams shortly.
For more information, log onto www.abalive.com. Go to Expansion Teams. Email: motownjammers@usa.com or gtitus@usa.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 February 26, 2004
- George "Iceman" Gervin, Detroit return to ABA - ABA
- Three games remain until Jam host championship - Maywood Laguneros
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