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Open letter to Calgary Drillers fans

February 23, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release


Indianapolis, IN. I have received many emails and calls from Calgary Driller fans and media asking what happened to the Calgary Drillers and why they suspended operations. Fair questions. First, Calgary is a tremendous sports city and you embraced the Drillers from day one. We are deeply apreciative of the interest and support you showed. The problem was travel - getting ABA teams to Calgary - getting Calgary on the road. It was just too difficult both ways.

The ABA wants very much to be in Calgary and is working on a plan to make that happen next season. The Calgary Drillers Basketball Club, Inc. and the ABA are working to develop a team in Edmonton for next season. With a second team in Alberta, it would then be feasible for northwest division ABA teams to make the road trip and to play several games before returning home. It would also create an excellent rivalry between the two teams in Alberta. The Drillers and the ABA are working with a couple of different potential ownership groups to own the Edmonton team and believes that this can be accomplished in the next few weeks. We are also looking at creating a community ownership structure similar to how several CFL teams are operated.

The addition of Edmonton to the ABA would enhance the long history of intense rivalry between the two Alberta cities and would encourage the growth of the ABA across the province. It would be anticipated that Calgary and Edmonton would play one another several times during the season. We have also been assured by the Calgary Drillers Basketball Club, Inc. that they are working to resolve the unsettled business matters of the past season in Calgary. Once again, Calgary, the suspension of the ABA team there was through no fault of your great city. And there's nothing we'd like more than to return. Thank you for your support.

For more information, contact al@calgarydrillers.ca, visit www.calgarydrillers.ca or call 403 243 2252 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.

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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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