Los Angeles under new ownership
April 25, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Los Angeles Aftershock News Release
Indianapolis, IN. The American Basketball Association (ABA) today announced that its Los Angeles professional basketball team will be playing under new ownership next season. According to Joe Newman, ABA CEO,"Los Angeles is a very important market and it is extremely important to us that we have a solid ownership group that can follow the new ABA standards and requirements. We are confident that we've found such a group and that they can maximize the potential that the ABA and Los Angeles affords."
The team will be owned by Shawn Blattenberger, who will also serve as Assistant General Manager. Shawn is in the property and casualty insurance business as well as the investment business. "I played basketball in college and dreamed one day of owning a professional basketball team. The ABA and its business model were just what I was looking for," said Blattenberger. "I could not understand why the teams here have not been successful. With the huge diversity in this market and the affordable ticket prices (compared to the Lakers and Clippers and other sports), you would have thought the games would be sold out. We intend to do just that."
Andre K. Smith has been named Head Coach and General Manager. Smith is a graduate of Southern California College with an MBA in Business Management from National University. Formerly head coach of both San Bernadino High School and Perris High School, he also served as Asst Head Coach of Riverside Community College and as Coach of the ABA LA Stars and has played professionally internationally. He added, "The key in LA is to get deep into youth groups, schools, community organizations and churches - to become an important part of the community. That's how we'll make this team successful. And as far as players are concerned, no problem. We'll be a team to beat...which is why we've named the team the LOS ANGELES AFTERSHOCK."
For more information about the Los Angeles Aftershock, phone 714-470-1122 or email laaftershock@aol.com or bolts24@aol.com or visit 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.
American Basketball Association Stories from April 25, 2005
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