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October 20, 2008 ABA - More than just a game.
When Dick Tinkham and I co-founded the ABA, our mission was to bring exciting, high-quality professional basketball to fans at affordable prices. It was also to give quality players a place to play, quality coaches a chance to coach at the professional level and to open opportunities for officials to referee on a professional level. Two other things. We wanted to bring sportsmanship, responsibility and community involvement back into the game and to have team ownerships with true diversity. That's why our motto is More than Just a Game! The economy has been hit hard. From Wall Street to Main Street, no one seems to be immune from it. The current financial crisis illustrates that the cost of essential goods and services has been seriously overpriced. And that goes for major league sports like the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL. The idea of season tickets costing $5000 and more is ridiculous; the idea of an average price of $80+ per ticket plus high priced concessions and parking is ridiculous. Not when the average fan faces layoffs, downsizing, loss of savings, foreclosures, high energy prices and other hardships. If our mission of bringing exciting, high-quality professional basketball to fans at affordable prices was important then, it is more important than ever now. Starting in November, nearly 40 teams, from Alaska to the Bahamas, from New York to Arizona, from California to North Caroline and many places in between. Fans will be able to see exciting professional basketball at ticket prices of $5, $10, $15 with season ticket prices between $100-$200. Most teams offer free parking and low concession prices. Local teams are members of a league employing nearly 500 players, over 100 coaches, and over 300 referees. Each team is making a major impact in its community with programs for Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA's, schools, youth groups, churches, neighborhood shelters, hospitals and others. The ABA is More than Just a Game. And we are proud to say that nearly 70% of the teams are owned by African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians and women - diversity unlike any other professional sports league in history.
The ABA was founded for the fans...and at a time when you need it most...we're here and ready to go. Joe Newman
ABA CEO |
