3 comment(s) on this story

Setting the Record Straight :  6/7/2008

My name is Michael Harden of the Atlantic Coast League. I am setting the record straight due to a lot of inaccurate information and assumptions. First, the poster of the rude comment is in no way affiliated with my league. This league is being operated by myself and my partner. Second, we have no teams because we are just starting the search for markets. Some of the markets we would like, we may not be able to get due to the South Coast League. We never intended to have Aiken in the ACL. We inquired about The Bert due to fans asking if we planned to come to Aiken. To be honest, Aiken would be too small. I am not saying that it would not work, but it would be difficult. Another area to clear up any confusion, we have 2 owners for our two possible markets that we may get. The league is going into the markets to ask about bringing an ACL franchise there. The ACL will not own any franchise that plays in the league. The only way the ACL will have a team is if we operate a road team, or we assume control of a franchise. We have specific terms in our contracts with franchises and if those terms are not being met, the franchise will become property of the ACL until new ownership is found. We add specific terms to ensure that the franchise will not disgrace the ACL name in anyway. League investors are NOT franchise investors. I was told that there were interested groups whom wanted to own the Foxhounds. My intent was to convince USCA to give the ACL a chance to have Aiken, with private ownership. Every league that first started, such as the SCL, had no teams before they secured their first market. I think that it is disgraceful for someone to turn us down because we have yet to secure any cities. I have yet to meet with any cities. Once I am asked to come and speak, then the meeting will be scheduled. For example, I contacted Anderson, SC last month, and we got the meeting scheduled this month. The meeting is scheduled for July 1st. Now you know what the process is with a venture such as this.

:  6/6/2008

The other comment sounds like it came from someone affilaited with this league. If they actually had owners, who would say the have interest in these teams and reveal their names, what this article is saying is no big deal. What do you want the paper to do - say they will welcome a league with no cash, no owners and no teams as of yet? Maybe all the writer is asking for is a plan of attack -

Come Clean :  6/3/2008

Why don't you people just come clean and admit that you (and other businesses) got stuck holding bills owed by the Foxhounds and cannot collect. Your business is clouding your editorial page and judgment.