Officials for the new American Basketball League, the latest
attempt to start a women's pro league, "took another step toward
an October start-up yesterday by announcing the eight franchises
for its first year of operation," according to the PHILADELPHIA
INQUIRER. The ABL will have two divisions. EASTERN: Atlanta,
Richmond, Columbus, and Hartford-Springfield. WESTERN: Denver,
Portland, Seattle and San Jose. The league's organizers, headed
by Steve Hams, said they already have $4M in private funding and
have signed 35 players. Most notably, they have 10 of the 11
players on the U.S. National Team. Former UConn star Rebecca
Lobo is the only unsigned member of that team. Player salaries
will average $70,000 with the top players earning as much as
$125,000 and the minimum set at $40,000. A commissioner is yet
to be named (Mel Greenberg, PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 2/22). Hams
said he is talking with national sponsors and TV networks about
possible contracts (AP/SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 2/22). There will be
no individual owners. The league's backers will own 90%, the
players 10% (Colorado Springs GAZETTE-TELEGRAPH, 2/22).
THE LOBO FACTOR: In New England to announce the team, Hams
cited UConn's success and said he expects that region to be the
"best drawing area." On Lobo: "Having Rebecca would have a huge
immediate impact, but I'm confident we will be successful even if
she doesn't come. We're not going to revolve our league around
one player." For her part, Lobo said she is still weighing
heading to Europe after the Olympics (Bruce Berlet, HARTFORD
COURANT, 2/22).
LOCAL REAX: UConn women's coach Gene Auriemma: "I want
more than anything for those kids to have a chance to play in
this country, but I think some people are jumping too quickly.
Why? Other than Rebecca Lobo, do most people in this country
know who plays women's basketball?" (HARTFORD COURANT, 2/22). In
Seattle, Dick Rockne notes past failed efforts in women's pro
hoops, but Gary Cavalli, a Bay Area PR exec who is backing the
ABL, argues they have "solid financing with well-heeled investors
and a potential television deal," as well as "carefully selected
franchise sites." U.S. National Team player Jennifer Azzi:
"Will the fans make the adjustment from supporting their college
to supporting their pro team? That's the key: support the game
and not the school" (SEATTLE TIMES, 2/22). Lynn Barry, USA
Basketball's Asst Exec Dir of Women's Programs: "USA Basketball
is excited about any activity, organization or league that
promotes or enhances women's basketball in the United States"
(Colorado Springs GAZETTE-TELEGRAPH, 2/22).
