ABA to OKC next season. Why?

[Patrick]

ABA HEADS TO OKLAHOMA CITY NEXT SEASON

26-Feb-2007
Indianapolis, IN -- The American Basketball Association announced that it would expand to Oklahoma City, OK when the new season begins in November.

According to Joe Newman, ABA CEO, "Oklahoma City is a natural for the ABA. The fans there really supported the Hornets and showed that they really appreciate great professional basketball - and that's what they'll get when the ABA begins play there - and they will really appreciate the affordable prices. Like the fans were in Halifax at the All Star Game, we think they'll be very surprised at the excitement and quality of the ABA game and we know they'll look forward to seeing familiar names from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tulsa and other regional programs. And we think we have the right ownership group to maximize the potential there."

The team will be owned by Hopell Enterprises LLC. Baron Hopgood, the Founder/Chairman of Destiny Capital Mortgage will be a co-owner. A native of Oklahoma, Hopgood accepted what he believed to be a call to establish Destiny Capital Mortgage, Inc, which was destined to be a mortgage brokerage firm to assist churches and ultimately led the company to be a mortgage lender also. In addition, Hopgood is the founder and principal partner of Hopgood & Associates LLC, a real estate development and holding company. "We looked very closely at the ABA and see nothing but great potential. Bringing exciting basketball at affordable prices to the fans of OKC is something we want to do and we are looking forward to the challenge," said Hopgood.

Clint Junell is a partner at Destiny and will serve as co-owner of the team. He serves on the board of directors of .iwitness, a ministry that equips students and mobilizes them to the mission field. He is also a member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society and graduated magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in business management.

"The key to success is having a good business and operational plan to complement a strong basketball organization," said Junell. "When we announce our Coach and staff, I think people will see how serious we are - and that we will be one of the premiere teams in the league."

More information will be released shortly.

For information now, email baron@hopgoodcompanies.com or call (214) 466-8511.

From:
http://www.abalive.com/news/releases/?newsid=2007022606001

There's a little form to be an ABA owner right here:
http://www.abalive.com/markets/

[okcpulse]

Ummm... this isn't going to hurt our chances for the NBA, will it?

[mranderson]

Ummm... this isn't going to hurt our chances for the NBA, will it?

No. In fact, it may enhance it. The ABA plays in a lot of NBA cities. What may happen is when the Sonics move to Oklahoma City, the ABA team may either stay to cater to the lower class. My guess is they will fold because of the populaity of the NBA.

[SoonerDave]

I've heard exactly zero about this anywhere else. Amid all the NBA talk, this just seems so out of left-field. Not to say it won't happen, it just seems really out of place.

Note there's no mention (unless I'm an idiot and simply missed it) of where they're going to play, or a team name, or stuff like that. I know the ABA plays in NBA-type cities, but it just kinda seems second-tier, and after having tasted the "real thing" I don't know how excited OKC will be for this...especially pending what happens with the Sonics..

We'll see, I guess....

-soonerdave

[writerranger]

What may happen is when the Sonics move to Oklahoma City, the ABA team may either stay to cater to the lower class

The "lower class"??? Wow, you just are consistently finding ways to offend. Somehow, I just can't see people you describe as "lower class" going to see professional basketball anyway. Did you maybe mean, those who find the NBA tickets too expensive? They come from all classes, mranderson.

SoonerDave, I'm with you. I can't see anyone who was caught up in the excitement of the Hornets being appeased by the ABA. But, as you said, we'll see.

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[OKC PATROL]

Coming from Nichols Hills w/rich family. I find it even more disgusting to point out the lower class would cater to the aba. Like they are designed for it because of money. I have been to many Hornet games and there are people from all walks of life. Upper , middle, lower will support either. I just dont want the ABA- just in case Stern changes his mind about our market. Does Tulsa have an ABA team- i imagine a turnpike rivalry would be cool. But i would rather sink tulsa to a lower status by having the NBA- so they can be humbled. sorry if i sound mean.

[writerranger]

That actually was my point. Anderson's "lower class" wouldn't be at any basketball games. If he's simply talking income levels, of course! But "lower class" is no way of labeling them if that's what he meant. Maybe you have to know Anderson. Welcome to OKCTalk, OKC PATROL!

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[HOT ROD]

Guys, I wrote to the city to inquire about this.

I received a response from them that there IS NO lease agreement with the ABA and the city is committed to attracting the NBA to the city - and that is priority number one.

The city is aware of the ABA and what they have to offer. The city confirmed that the ABA would not necessarily hurt the city's chances of landing a permanent NBA team - because the ABA plays in "lower" level venues like Highschool and college arenas. Most major cities have an ABA team but this not at the same level as the NBA. I liken the ABA to lower than even the NBA's D-League.

The primary concern I had as to why I wrote to the city was that I thought OKC was so Basketball hungary that with the city losing the Hornets they settled for second best, the ABA. I was concerned a lease agreement was made with the Ford Center - which WOULD impact the NBA relocation here. We need to keep the Ford Center open primarily to the NBA - be it the SONICS (most likely), the Hornets (very possible, given the NOLA market), or some other team.

The city confirmed this, and said under no uncertain terms - does the ABA have a lease agreement at the Ford Center or even approached them with an offer for a franchise. It appears that the media may be speculating or have a misprint - which I responded, "seems to happen often in Oklahoma City media. ..."

So, rest assured - two more weeks, April 22.

We will see whether the SONICS have a future in Seattle or OKLAHOMA CITY. Like Clay Bennett said last night at the Hornets/Sonics game, "he's wants to do what is best for OKC. The NBA Belongs In Oklahoma City. ... Hope it works out - I think it will!!!"

"Welcome Home SONICS" - says an Oklahoma City NBA Fan!!!

[El Gato Pollo Loco!!!]

Mick Cornett actually commented about this way back around the Big 12 tourney time. He said as much. But seriously, why couldn't the ABA be in the Cox Con?

[metro]

I'm with SoonerDave and writeranger, I have heard zero about this besides here. The city is completely sold out to landing the NBA. Why would they throw that opportunity out by leasing the Ford/Cox Centers when the NBA is a solid deal. Now whether it's later this year or not isn't certain, but its almost a done deal as of our chances of getting them. The ABA doesn't make sense. We didn't support the CBA when we had it. We're not a big enough market for two teams.

I went to the ABA's website. Under expansion teams they have Lawton listed. Perhaps they decided to go there after OKC told them they were wasting their time.

ABAlive.com - Home of the American Basketball Association

[jbrown84]

Interesting...

Lawton with ABA, Tulsa with NBADL, and OKC with NBA. That could work.

And I must say, the ABA has the cheesiest logo I have ever seen targeted at adults.

[metro]

It reminds me of the Harlem Globetrotters

[HOT ROD]

^^ a complete farm system and fan base!!! Keep bball in this state.

[Rifleman2C]

Sounds to me like the ABA just sees a good thing and wants a piece of the action... but have they negotiated any of this yet with OKC? They make it sound like a foredrawn conclusion that the team will be accepted and supported...


So, who's doing this deal?

[mranderson]

The ABA has wanted a team here for several years. They had one, however, the ownership group boned them and the league cancelled the franchise.

ABA.com has a section on expansion teams and that should tell you more about the ownership.

[HOT ROD]

the city has not discussed anything with the ABA.

[mranderson]

the city has not discussed anything with the ABA.

If they play in a venue not owned by the city, they do not need to have city approval except for sales tax certicates and operating permits.

Plus, the team has been announced by the league. It is rare when a team is announced and it does not materialize.

One more note. The ABA also announced for Lawton.