ABA to Launch Entertainment League

With the NBA lockout in full swing and no end in sight, other leagues and showcases are arising. The American Basketball Association announced today the launch of a new entertainment league, slated to begin play this Saturday, September 10th, featuring former NBAers like Jalen Rose, Bryon Russell and Cuttino Mobley. From abalive.com: “The American Basketball Association (ABA) and its ABA Classics division today announced that it will launch a new entertainment league this fall featuring entertainers, directors, producers, elected officials, business professionals, ex-NBA, NFL, MLB and collegiate athletes. “There’s no doubt about it, good competitive basketball is a very important pastime for so many professionals in the LA area,” stated Deon Taylor, CEO of Ether Sports Marketing, LLC, and one of the principals in the recently-announced ABA Classics, a celebrity-driven, prize money basketball division of the ABA that will make its debut next summer. “The ABA E League was created to promote sports and entertainment while supporting the growth of ABA E League’s social network which has generated significant player participation and audience attendance…The ABA E League Open Run will commence Saturday, September 10, 2011 at Memorial Park in Santa Monica at 2600 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica CA 90405, at 1pm; the event will run until 4pm. In attendance will be a number of celebrities and sports figures including Bill Bellamy (Actor), Jalen Rose (NBA & Fab Five), Bryon Russell (NBA), Cuttino Mobley (NBA), Olden Polynice (NBA), Chris Spencer (NFL), and Ephraim Salaam (NFL). The event will feature a DJ spinning great music and will showcase the tremendous basketball talent around LA.  The public is invited.”