ABL CO-FOUNDER NOT FEARFUL OF NEW LEAGUE.Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer You'd expect Gary Cavalli to be a bit frazzled by the creeping shadow of the WNBA WNBA Women's National Basketball Association WNBA World Ninepin Bowling Association WNBA Wannabe Nasty Boys Association WNBA Women's National Book Association, Inc. WNBA Warszawski Nurt Basketu Amatorskiego . Cavalli is the co-founder of the rival women's basketball Women's basketball is one of the few games which developed in tandem with men's. It became popular, spreading from the east coast of the United States to the west coast, in large part via women's colleges. league in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. : the American Basketball League American Basketball League is a name that has been used by three defunct basketball leagues in the United States:
The ABL begins its second season in October after a successful inaugural campaign. However, the NBA-backed WNBA, with all its sponsors, TV endorsements and premium players, would appear to be the overwhelming favorite to outshine out·shine v. out·shone , out·shin·ing, out·shines v.tr. 1. a. To shine brighter than. b. To be more beautiful, splendid, or flamboyant than. 2. its competitor when it opens Saturday. Cavalli doesn't think so. ``It's two totally different strategies and philosophies,'' Cavalli said from his Palo Alto Palo Alto, city, California Palo Alto (păl`ō ăl`tō), city (1990 pop. 55,900), Santa Clara co., W Calif.; inc. 1894. Although primarily residential, Palo Alto has aerospace, electronics, and advanced research industries. office. ``We really believe our strategy is the right one. A year ago, I thought (two leagues) was a real long shot. I think there is a chance both leagues can make it.'' The ABL differs from the WNBA in many ways. There's a 44-game schedule, October through February season, and the ABL's choice to play in college arenas instead of professional. The smaller markets: Hartford, Columbus, San Jose, Portland, Richmond, Boulder, brought better-than-expected crowds but not the television exposure. Black Entertainment Television and SportsChannel were the only telecasters of ABL games this past season. Many cities don't have SportsChannel, including Los Angeles, and Cavalli's concerned since the ABL's Long Beach team will begin play this season. ``I'm on the phone every day,'' said Cavalli, who received a $6 million endorsement in April from Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance. ``We're trying to land that big endorser. Hopefully soon.'' However, Cavalli and ABL officials relish the underdog role. They realize the WNBA has much better odds of success, especially with the increased promotion and NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= support. However, if a war is coming, the ABL won an early battle. The league signed College Player of the Year Kate Starbird and first-team All-America center Kara Wolters from the grasp of the WNBA. Starbird signed with the Seattle Reign and Wolters with the New England Blizzard The New England Blizzard was a women's professional basketball franchise based in Hartford, Connecticut. The Blizzard was a charter member of the American Basketball League (ABL). and the league also signed former NBA championship coach K.C. Jones to lead the Blizzard. ``We announced 13 players that we felt were top coming out of college,'' Cavalli said. ``And it would have looked pretty foolish if we signed two or three. But we signed 10. So we definitely won the battle this year.'' WNBA coaches and officials are careful not to criticize the other league. There is a friendly relationship between the leagues and both have women's basketball as its best interest. ``I think the ABL has done a fine job,'' WNBA commissioner Val Ackerman said. ``But we're very confident about the success of our league. We feel we're doing things the right way.'' The WNBA never approached the ABL about partnership and until the ABL decides to allow players to participate in other leagues, they will not share players. An ABL lure is money. The top WNBA players make more, but ABL players average $11,000 more per season, which attracts the talented but non-spectacular players. ``The WNBA is approaching it from a business standpoint,'' Cavalli said. ``We approach it from a basketball and players' standpoint. ``We think (our players) should play in (NBA, college) basketball season, a normal season, in a mid-size arena,'' Cavalli said. ``We're just not doing it for business reasons. We think we have the right plan.'' The Long Beach StingRays The Long Beach Stingrays was a women's professional basketball team. It existed for only the 1997-98 season, and was a member of the American Basketball League. The Stingrays played most of their home games at the Walter Pyramid on the campus of California State University, will present the first area challenge between the two leagues. The StingRays will play at the Long Beach Pyramid and the league blocked an exhibition game between the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks The Los Angeles Sparks are a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1997, they are one of the 8 original WNBA teams and were one of the teams that participated in the league's inaugural game. and Phoenix Mercury that was scheduled there. It was moved to Long Beach City College. How long can it last? Will the ABL be gobbled up like the NBA sucked in the ABA 21 years ago? Cavalli says he won't rest until the answer is no. ``Somebody said that it's David vs. Goliath,'' Cavalli said. ``We feel like the ``Little Engine That Could.'' America likes an underdog.'' ABL NOTABLES Teresa Edwards (Olympian) Dawn Staley (1992 National College Player of the Year) Natalie Williams (UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX All-American) Cindy Brown (Long Beach State All-American) Nikki McCray (Olympian) Val Whiting (Stanford All-American) Jennifer Azzi (Olympian) Katrina McClain (Olympian) Shalonda Enis (1997 All-American) Nicky McCrimmon (All-Pac-10 at USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. ) CAPTION(S): Box Box: ABL NOTABLES (see text) |
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