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Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > May > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDream’s ultimate goal: Survival
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The graveyard that is this city’s minor-league — or lesser league — sports franchise history does little to instill confidence in the long-term health of the Atlanta Dream.
But there is this for the new WNBA team to fall back on: While the Braves own Atlanta’s only major pro championship, past obscurities have won at least four — in soccer, minor-league hockey and team tennis (twice). Chiefs, Knights and Thunder: Rest in peace.
It follows that the Dream’s ultimate goal is survival, and why, when owner Ron Terwilliger was asked why he was confident the team will survive, he said: “I wouldn’t use the word confident. I would say hopeful.”
Women’s basketball and soccer has failed here before. They had the Olympics as a launching pad. Terwilliger is counting on the growth of the sport, the city’s diversity and low ticket prices.
His past venture into sports, an indoor soccer team (Attack), lasted only two seasons. That team also was started in a recession. “I didn’t pick a great time to start this,” he said. “As soon as you see me investing in a sports team, you can be sure a recession is coming.”
He looks ahead with hope. We look back on the souls of the departed.
In memory of: Atlanta Beat Lifeline: Three seasons (2001-03) in the Women’s United Soccer Organization (WUSA), which also lasted three, give or take a bounced check.
Vitals: The league’s $40 million in seed money was gone in the first year. There were $100 million in losses in three years, this despite players agreeing to a 25 percent salary cut and voiding the last two years on guaranteed five-year contracts (blow that out your Marvin Miller). Most important, the league was underwritten partly by Cox Communications, which pretty much killed any chance I had of getting a significant raise. League officials labored to try to build excitement for the “Founders Cup” championship game in Atlanta in 2002. They failed. The good news: The league gave me a “Freedom vs. Courage!” decorated cookie cake after I risked employment by writing it would take Kroger making “Founders Cup” decorated desserts, a la the Super Bowl, to make me believe enough people cared. That $10 cookie figures somewhere in the $100 million.
In memory of: Men’s soccer Lifeline: Multiple. Mostly short. Indoor, outdoor — either way, few walking through the door. Names include: Express, Steamers, Lightning, Apollos and Attack. Most successful: Chiefs (outdoor, first edition).
Vitals: The NASL was born in 1968, in the heyday of “all these kids in AYSO will grow up to become soccer fans.” (Right.) The Chiefs played one year in the NPSL, then changed alphabets. They won the title in ‘68. The league celebrated after the season by folded 12 of 17 teams franchises. The Chiefs changed owners in 1973. They were renamed the Apollos, moved to Bobby Dodd Stadium, lasted one season, folded, were reborn in ‘79, played three years outdoor, folded, two years indoor, folded. So that’s three folds for one franchise, an Atlanta record.
In memory of: Atlanta Knights
Lifeline: Four seasons (1992-96) before moving to Quebec in the International Hockey League (IHL), which had several mutations before eventually folding.
Vitals: The sad truth is that the minor-league Knights did more to grab attention in Atlanta than the Thrashers have. Fans still yell “Knights!” during the National Anthem at Thrashers home games. That’s when they’re not yelling, “Hit somebody!” John Paris was the sport’s first African American pro head coach. Goalie Manon Rheaume, her sideshow status notwithstanding, was the first woman to play NHL games (albeit exhibitions). Co-owner Richard Adler was a marketing whiz. And there’s this: They won a championship! But the Omni was set to be imploded, the city’s depth chart didn’t go two-deep on hockey arenas, and Ted Turner kind of had the inside track on an NHL franchise. (Side note: Adler also owned a roller-hockey team, the Atlanta Fireants, which lasted one year before moving to roller-hockey heaven, Oklahoma City).
In memory of: Atlanta Glory
Lifeline: Two seasons (1996-97). The women’s American Basketball League filed for Chapter 11 midway through its chapter three (but you knew how the book would turn out).
Vitals: Twelve years ago this month, 600 players tried out in Atlanta for the new ABL. The Glory rode that high for one year and 10 months. First problem: The team played in Forbes Arena. I had to look it up to know that was the Morehouse gym. The league had better players than the WNBA, which started a year later (Teresa Edwards and Saudia Roundtree were on the Atlanta roster; 10 league players were in the Olympics). But the ABL didn’t have the NBA’s backing, or corporate tie-ins, or TV revenue, or marketing arm. The ABL folded with $25 million in debts. The WNBA still survives, at least for as long as the NBA wants it to.
In memory of: Atlanta Thunder Lifeline: six seasons (1991-96) in World Team Tennis.
Vitals: Two championships, but no love. The Thunder, led by Martina Navratilova, won titles in 1991 and ‘92, its first two seasons. Bjorn Borg also played for the team. So much for success and stars drawing. Attendance dropped to a cartoon-like 600 at the DeKalb Tennis Center, which would be considered really good for an ALTA match. Maybe if the players had brought snacks (home: sweet; visitors: salty). File this one under quotes to remember from WTT founder Billie Jean King: “We definitely plan on coming back to Atlanta, no question.”
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By Tamera Young Fan
May 23, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
Opening night was terrific save for the loss. These fans are passionate and want the team to survive and THRIVE here.
By Ted Striker
May 24, 2008 5:01 AM | Link to this
This was an excellent article on lesser-known sports in Atlanta. Well-researched, well-written.
I applaud the courage of Ron Terwilliger; I hope the Atlanta Dream surpasses all hopes and dreams.
By WNBA Fan
May 24, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Really nice, Jeff to write an article about the “death” of franchises on the night that the Atlanta Dream has their regular season debut.
There is a lot of interest in women’s basketball. The ratings for ESPN’s coverage of the women’s NCAA basketball tourney were up 42% from last year on ESPN and 31% on ESPN. The championship game saw a 30% ratings increase over last year’s collegiate final:
http://www.doubleazone.com/2008/04/womenstournamentviewership_i.html
I also find it interesting that nowhere in this article do you point out that the Dream are off to a good start, having sold out the first game, and being very close to selling out Sunday’s game.
Your comment about the “WNBA still survives as long as the NBA wants it to” wasn’t nice either. What’s it to you? Get used to it—the league has been around for 11 years and it’s here to stay.
By tinheart
May 24, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
Let’s see…the longest lasting women’s pro league in the US was the All-American Girls Professional Baseball Association. You remember? That “League of Their Own” movie.
How long did it last? Twelve years, from 1943-54 if I recall correctly.
So which WNBA season is this? The 12th? Next year (and there will definitely be one) the WNBA will be the longest lasting women’s pro league ever. Hey Jeff, time to update your thinking.
By Ted Striker
May 24, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
WNBA Fan:
The NBA provides over $12 million in annual subsidies to the WNBA. Without these funds, the WNBA would be unable to operate.
You mentioned viewership for the most recent women’s NCAA championship game. The percentage increases you quoted are indeed positive trends. However, there’s no established correlation between NCAA (amateur) championship viewership and professional league fiscal success. This is true for women’s OR men’s sports — all athletic events.
Additionally, while the growth percentage figures quoted for the women’s basketball NCAA tournament are commendable, the raw viewership figures would be less stirring.
Does this take away from the WNBA? Not at all. The WNBA is probably good for the NBA. Many (not all) NBA arenas are owned by the host team. When a WNBA team plays, the cash register rings. Further, a WNBA team generates “basketball” publicity.
The column I read didn’t come across as anyone knocking the WNBA. Best I can tell, it sounds like most folk (with an opinion) in Atlanta hopes the Atlanta Dream does well.
That said, why so easily offended? I doubt the Atlanta Dream really needs fans who come across as getting their frilly undergarments in a bundle…over nothing.
By nahjay davnpooh
May 25, 2008 3:42 AM | Link to this
i was going to dub your article as you being a pessimistic loser until you supported your claim with terwilliger’s quote. i can’t believer that loser said that!
By EB
May 25, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
If WNBA can pull some David Stern-type shenanigans and Maya Moore ends up on the Atlanta team, the Dream’s got a chance.
By tinheart
May 25, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
The New York Times just had an article about a family in Lakeland, Fla who drives all the way to Atlanta to see the Dream play.
They also sold out their second game. Wonder if Jeff Schultz will write about that?
By Ted Striker
May 28, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
Let me get this straight.
We already have an AJC columnist who “covers the field” of sports. Now, you want him to begin channeling insights about…..lemme see, here, lemme see……special interest articles in the NY Times?
Huh???
It’s no wonder I’ll NEVER be over Macho Grande.