So much has been asked about the demise of the NYBL and the
disassociation of one of the most well-respected names in the industry; Rob
Taylor. Rumor and innuendo have led many
to simply view the recent movements as a parting of ways – but those in the
know realize that there is a deeper, more sinister under belly to the change in
organization infrastructure.
The NYBL which was built on the theory of elite competition
and maximum exposure has immediately been relegated by the remaining partners
into a league focused maximizing the revenue streams with little to no concern
regarding the quality of teams and competition.
To date using random test by unnamed individuals in the youth game have
produced disappointing yet resounding realizations – teams are being accepted
without any review of resume, previous track record, or financial means to
travel longer distances to more expensive sites.
The bottom line is clear there is no concern
and/or knowledge of who the teams are as the remaining NYBL players have no
background in the market they are attempting to swindle into playing in the
league – the league is now in the hands of individuals whose only background is
High School hoop events and tournaments.
You will notice for the first time since the leagues
inception that there was not any presence whatsoever at the youth AAU
nationals; the platform previously used to determine and recruit the top
national teams. You did not see
representatives there or at any major hoop event for that matter – further cementing
the fact that there is and has not been any care or effort made to ensure top
comp and quality teams.
At the grassroots level as there is no clear delineation as
it relates to program name and status; the best teams at middle school cannot
be determined simply by shoe brand affiliation.
Just as with individuals, talented teams must be sought out and
recruited in order to maintain the standard previously put in place at the
leagues inception. The rhetoric is
clear, plain, and simple if a group desires to travel around the country to play
against sub-par competition than the NYBL will be the unfortunate leader in
this field.
The exposure that was unprecedented at the middle school
level will be non-existent as the partners that remain have admittedly acknowledge
that they do not believe in the premise of media partners. Ultimately nothing will be written and the
old adage of when a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it
does it make a sound rings true; any team or player competing in the “New” NYBL
will be playing is absolute obscurity.
How bad is it; the new regime has failed to pay prior media partners for
service and to date no less than five major outlets have refused to service the
league due to lack of stability and disinterest. At the end of the day; exposure is what separated
and made the league special and that is gone in its entirety.
With many of the other primary leaders that worked behind
the scenes jumping ship due to integrity issues - scheduling and organization are going to be
suspect at best as none of the remaining stalwarts have ever engaged in this
portion of the service to the league.
What can you look forward to?
Easily it can be stated that issues such as double court bookings, back
to back games, and the best match-ups NOT being scheduled at all due to lack of
knowledge and wherewithal will be the foundation of the NYBL moving
forward. If they are able to accidentally
schedule a competitive game those will not likely be put at prime-times or main
courts; again having the athletes playing in sheer obscurity.
One of the primary concerns with Rob Taylor
stepping down is who will be the face – who can recall speaking to anyone other
than the congenial Taylor? If you can
find someone, internal information has provided information that the history of
those left are late arriving and sometimes are no calls and/or no
shows at all. We have already heard and
seen showing up to locked doors and gyms when the appropriate personnel is not present
to run the operations properly at the EBC. Additionally
it has been advised that those remaining also have a history of early departure
and a track record of “disappearing” for long duration's during the course of an
event – and they ask why Taylor and others determined to walk away with pride
and integrity.
The success previously
has been unquestioned so why would anyone leave? The truth is being provided and the public in
turn is being forewarned – those who want a meaningless empty championship; the
NYBL is now accepting teams come one come all!
As we get down to the brass tax, why are locations changing –
it’s due to the individuals tasked with handling the financials failing to pay
for gyms and facilities across the country.
Reportedly the last session in 2015 Ohio still has outstanding balances,
and notice a location that has been present since day one is no longer on the schedule
– and now the country knows why. Where
are rings for champions of 2015? They
are in the empty boxes of promises, traditionally provided at the NYBL All-Star
session they were conspicuously absent this year as eams who fought and
earned these awards were left empty handed with a paper titles. Referees are still seeking payment and teams
from the 2014 season who paid deposits but pulled out prior to finalization
deadlines have still not been reimbursed and are seeking legal remedies to
these mishandlings. The face and leader
behind this Dameon Key is a walking financial disaster and has engaged in many
shameful acts regarding hoops in the NYBL and other events throughout the
country.
The nation is looking into the eye of storm very similar to
the EBC debacle so enter at your own risk as this time fair warning is being
provided to those who seek it. The financial
questions are too many to answer with the primary concern being; is Dameon Key
the next David Kelley? Does any
intelligent minded person feel comfortable giving in excess of $200,000 to
Keys; we shall see but smart money is being bet on “NO”. Can we qualify that his is going to happen no
we can’t but ask yourself, if it does anyone know who in the world Dameon Key
is, where to find him, or even better how to contact him or whar he looks like?
But you say Adidas is involved, well this relationship is
not one of corporate backing rather a charitable donation only making the
foundation even shakier and the propositioning more questionable. Adidas has no direct ties to the league thus
there are no management resources and no accountability therein. This certainly doesn’t make the league something
that appears to be viable or trustworthy – but no one listened to us when we
advised of the downfall of the EBC several months before the theft of the century
took place. Maybe this time the warning
will be heeded.
So as we move on ask yourself if there remains any consideration
in this league consider the following:
1)
Why would Rob Taylor leave a successful organization?
2)
Where is there any coverage of the recent NYBL All-Star
weekend?
3)
Why are they currently discounting in September
league entry fees by $600+ under the guise of a Labor Day discount – is desperation
setting in 7-months before play begins or is this a money grab
4)
Why add a 9th grade division when the
top teams in the country already compete on well-known shoe circuits – is there
any potential to this being a quality product
5)
Why would a 4-session season now include
pre-season invitational tournaments; there was a show long ago that said “Mo Money”, “Mo
Money” “Mo Money” is this why – can you say watered down product
6)
Why are media outlets refusing to service the
league
7)
Can Dameon Key fill the shoes of Rob Taylor in
terms of class, standard, and professionalism
8)
How much does the new Sports Ngin website cost –
worth a review we’d say
9)
Is Dameon Key the next David Kelley
10)
If you were born at night was it last night?
If you can answer 7 out of these 10 questions with a positive
answer overnight your payment and secure your spot in the NYBL if you can’t
enter at your own risk you have been warned as the “New” NYBL is readily accepting
invitations for unknowing and unsuspecting clients.
Join the “New” NYBL and we will look forward to seeing you
battle in court as opposed to on it!
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