The American Basketball Association (ABA) today announced that the Baton Rouge Crusaders will be ready to begin play starting in November. The team will be owned by Dr. Pope who also owns the Shreveport Knights and the New Orleans Rush. “When we brought back the ABA, one of our goals was to make ABA team ownership easier than any other league,” stated ABA CEO Joe Newman. “We envisioned ABA owners to have several teams much like McDonalds, Arbys, KFC, Subway owners. ABA owners like Dr. Pope, Damon Cannon and others are now doing it and it makes so much sense. Our business plan was designed for internal expansion and we are indebted to these owners for their outstanding efforts. Our Louisiana division is growing, our entire South Region is growing and I am very pleased and proud.”

The ABA is experiencing record growth and could exceed 150 teams when the new season begins. “It’s the business model that is accounting for the growth,” added Charlie McCants, South Regional Chairman. “The ABA places so much emphasis on fan base and revenue, press/media and community support, staffing, Game Day Operations, website/social media and provides the tools for success. It is little wonder we are growing as we are and Dr. Pope is a great example of the potential that ABA ownership affords.”

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