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Quentin Townsend Named President Of American Basketball Association

April 29, 2008 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release

Indianapolis, IN. - It is with great pride and pleasure that we are announcing that Quentin Townsend, owner of the ABA Atlanta Vision, has accepted the position of President/COO of the American Basketball Association (ABA) effective Wednesday, April 30th. According to Joe Newman, ABA CEO, "This is the first in a series of major changes in the structure and management of the ABA and one that will help move the ABA to the next level. Not only is the ABA the most diversified professional sports league ever, but Quentin is the first-ever African-American President/COO of a professional sports league and we are deeply honored that he has accepted this role. It will be an active one."

Townsend acquired the ABA Atlanta market in 2004. He renamed his team the Atlanta Vision, re-structured the entire organization, and quickly began distinguishing himself and his team as one of the most dynamic teams in the league and the country. Fueled by his passion for basketball and equipped with his business savvy, Townsend transformed a team in less than three months and Atlanta Vision was named "Atlanta's Best Value for Sports Entertainment" by the Gwinnett Citizen.

"Dick Tinkham, ABA co-founder, and Joe have created a remarkable foundation," stated Townsend. "There is no league quite like the ABA with its 40 plus year brand name, it's red, white and blue ball, its rules and its diversity of ownership as well as its international thrust. The time is right for an infusion of new blood at the top and I am very excited and proud to have this opportunity and challenge. My responsibilities will include many areas of management including, but not limited to, overseeing the new Standards and Requirements of the ABA and making sure that all are adhered to. I'll also be working on setting up the new Management Committees in the five regions - Northeast, Southeast, North Central, South Central and West as well as working on national media and sponsorships."

Townsend is a native of Joliet, IL and grew up with basketball, hard work, community outreach, and strong mentors that shaped him into the successful entrepreneur he is today. Prior to his basketball ownership, Townsend lead a workforce management team for a Fortune 500 Corporation, presented life lessons to youth with B.E.S.T (Building Esteem Support Team) and helped hundreds of families become homeowners and investors through his real estate entity, Townsend & Company Sales Team. During his first year in real estate, Townsend won the Will County Rookie of the Year Award. At the Joseph Business School, Townsend graduated #1 in his class and received the highest distinction of Joseph Scholar.

Townsend is also the co-founder of Vision of Excellence, the 501 (C) 3 non-profit entity of the Atlanta Vision that provides programs to promote a healthier, more active lifestyle and improve the quality of life for the youth in our communities.

In 2007, Townsend was awarded and acknowledged as one of Georgia's Top "40 under 40 Up & Comers," presented by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, which recognizes young professionals who are on the rise. Also in 2007, Townsend founded RaisetheRoofAtlanta.com, a campaign to revitalize the 8,200, 1996 Olympic Tennis Center by covering the open air stadium and creating the Gwinnett Community Dome that will be home to his Atlanta Vision basketball team. Townsend believes in a philosophy quoted by Whitney Young, "It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared." Townsend added, "I have an opportunity, I am prepared." This year, Townsend is celebrating his ninth year of marriage with his wife and team co-owner, Akilah. The couple resides in Snellville, GA.

For more information, visit www.atlvision.com or email qtownsend@atlvision.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.

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