The ABL will offer a stock option program that will
allow its players to own around 10% of the league. ABL CEO
Gary Cavalli said that all current players will be granted
options that will vest over a three-year period. Options
will be granted based on contributions to the team and
league, on and off the court. New players entering the ABL
will also receive options. At the end of each season, about
half of the players will receive additional performance-
based grants (ABL). Cavalli said that the ABL has 10
million shares of stock, which have risen as high as $2.35
per share (Dwain Price, FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 10/10).
MORE ABL NEWS: Cavalli said season-ticket sales for the
league have increased from 8-9,000 last year to more than
13,000 (THE DAILY)....USA TODAY's Valerie Lister reported
that ten of the 13 "top collegiate players" signed with the
ABL over the offseason. League sponsor Reebok, which will
outfit all nine teams, will promote the ABL in print and TV
ads (USA TODAY, 10/10)....Saudia Roundtree, the '96 college
player of the year, has signed a three-year contract to
remain with the Atlanta Glory (WASHINGTON POST, 10/10).
NATIONAL AD: An ABL ad supplement appears in USA TODAY
with the "Real Basketball" slogan on the cover. League
sponsors Reebok and Hartford-based Phoenix Home Life Mutual
Insurance Co. took out ads (USA TODAY, 10/10).
