The Palm Beach County Sports Commission announces a partnership with the United States’ first ever international rules professional basketball league, the American Basketball League (ABL) and the local team, the Palm Beach Piranhas.
The American Basketball League will commence its inaugural 24 game season on January 19, 2013 and will field a 12 team league set to challenge the recent economic and rather public failings of current minor league basketball organizations. Initial ABL markets include: San Antonio, Laredo, Sugarland, College Station, Boerne, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Palm Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, Sebring and Corpus Christi. Future expansion is scheduled for California, New York and Puerto Rico. Never before in American sports history has a professional league been developed for the purpose of operating as an international farm club, or feeder league, for global basketball. The league founded by former Magic Johnson and Dominque Wilkins counsel Steve Haney, has recently been featured in such national publications as the Boston Globe and The Sporting News.
The local ABL team, the Palm Beach Piranhas, whose General Manager is former Suncoast High School basketball standout Richard Rellford, will begin play this Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the Berean Christian School located at 8350 Okeechobee Blvd in West Palm Beach. Tip-off is at noon and tickets are available at the door for $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12, seniors, and military personnel.
“To be a part of bringing professional basketball to West Palm Beach is a dream come true,” said Rellford. “Our mission is to offer a family-oriented professional sports product that will have a positive impact on the sports and economic communities of West Palm Beach, andhaving the Palm Beach County Sports Commission as a partner solidifies our mission.”
The Piranhas roster includes University of Houston’s former 7’1” center, Anwar Ferguson, University of Central Florida forwards PJ Gaynor and Dwight McCombs, former Florida Atlantic University point guard Alex Tucker, along with several local Palm Beach County basketball standouts.
“The Sports Commission is excited to be a partner with a professional basketball league in Palm Beach County,” said George Linley, Executive Director. “In addition to promoting the county as a sports destination the league will bring economic and tourism benefits as well.”
Palm Beach Piranhas Home Schedule:
Saturday, January 19, 2013 Noon
Saturday, January 26, 2013 Noon
Saturday, February 9, 2013 Noon
Saturday, February 16, 2013 Noon
Thursday, February 21, 2013 7:00pm
Saturday, February 23, 2013 Noon
Saturday, March 2, 2013 Noon
Saturday, March 16, 2013 Noon
Saturday, March 23, 2013 Noon
Thursday, March 28, 2013 7:00pm
Saturday, March 30, 2013 Noon
Saturday, April 6, 2013 Noon
For more information about the ABL, please refer to its website, http://www.abl-hoops.com, or contact Richard Rellford, General Manager, Palm Beach Piranhas at (561) 601-8890.
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