A group of business execs "plan to announce the debut"
of ABA 2000 later this week in Indianapolis, according to
Nena Baker of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC, who reports the pro
basketball league is scheduled to "play its first games" on
November 15, 2000 with tickets ranging from $4-40. Phoenix
attorney and investor Gary Elbogen, along with partners Ron
Shaffer, Peter Reilly and Robert Shepard, own franchises in
San Jose, K.C., Anaheim and Tampa. Elbogen: "We want to
make it affordable for fans and give talented guys a chance
to play for $150,000 a year in this country." Baker notes
that the group "owns the rights" to a team in Phoenix,
"though, for now, none is planned." ABA co-Founder Joe
Newman said that two other franchises in Long Island and
Chicago "have been firmed up," with deals "pending" in
Jacksonville, New Orleans, Buffalo and VA. Newman said ABA
2000 "has negotiated" a national game of the week deal with
a TV syndicate "in addition to local packages." Newman:
"It's not NBC, CBS or ABC, but it reaches 75 percent of
America, and it counts." Newman added that ABA 2000 "wanted
to steer clear of NBA markets," but decided it "needed to
be" in N.Y. and L.A. "to make the most of TV deals." NBA
and CBA execs would not comment on ABA 2000. NBA Dir of
Sports Media Services Seth Sylvan: "To tell you the truth,
this is the first I've heard of it" (AZ REPUBLIC, 10/19).
ACTORS ON AND OFF THE COURT: The SPORTSBUSINESS
JOURNAL's Langdon Brockinton reports that the NBA is
"looking to build on its cozy relationship with some of
Hollywood's elite by creating a new basketball league for
entertainment industry folks." Woody Harrelson, Damon
Wayans and David Duchovny are "among those committed to
playing in the 10-team NBA Entertainment League."
Brockinton notes that the games, played at an L.A. gym, will
be closed to the public (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/18).
