Dear Friends,
I am a basketball fanatic. I am a life-long fan of the National Basketball Association’s Portland Trail Blazers. In my youth I trained under legendary coach Jack Ramsey, who took the Blazers to their first NBA championship. Although it may have been more of a publicity stunt than anything else, I was ecstatic to take the court for the semi-pro Chicago-suburban, Mt. Prospect league in 2000 for the aptly named Chicago Nobodies. In fact, I was heart-broken when the Harlem Globetrotters dismantled their perennial opponent: the Washington Generals. With the Generals committed to a lineup of players who lose every game, I was convinced I had a future in professional basketball.
As that I am devout in my religious beliefs, I will stop short of calling basketball my religion. But, I must admit I stop just short of saying that. I watch every game I can and regularly appear at professional games as both a fan and to sing the National Anthem.
In 2000, the American Basketball Association was revived. The original ABA league gave us such greats as Julius Erving (Dr. J), Maurice Lucas, Moses Malone, George Gervin, Artis Gilmore and Rick Barry; and made famous the patriotic and television-friendly red, white and blue basketball. With the reintroduction of the ABA, I have become a die-hard fan of the Chicago Skyliners and the league in general (with a special shout out to the Indiana Legends as another favorite). I have appeared at several Skyliners games to perform the National Anthem and recently had the honor of filling in as the play-by-play announcer for the March 26, 2001 game between the Chicago Skyliners and the Tampa Bay Thunder Dawgs.
The ABA plays an up-tempo game that is thrilling to watch. Anyone who attends a game is an instant addict. The game is basketball in its purest form, played by those who truly love the game. It is not uncommon to see me courtside at games cheering for such favorites as Chicago’s Ronnie Fields, Dallas Comegys and Reggie Jordan; and Tampa Bay’s Ace Custis to perform a “Rikki Lee Dunk” – a dunk that is subsequently dedicated to yours truly.
But, any new organization faces a difficult battle in establishing itself. Yes, it takes money and time. It also takes a public who is willing to give a new product a chance. I guarantee once you try it, you’ll love it. But, the first step is buying a ticket or tuning in a game on television.
From April 10 –14, the ABA will hold an elimination tournament championship – comparable to the structure of the NCAA championship, but with a superior level of talent and rules geared toward an audience pleasing game. Select games from the tournament will be aired by FOX Sports featuring teams from Indiana, Detroit, Memphis, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Los Angeles, San Diego and Chicago. I have performed in all of these cities and based on the fans I have met in each location, I know there is an audience that would love these teams once they give them the chance.
I encourage you to tune in these games. Go to the FOX Sports homepage or the ABA 2000 homepage to check when you can catch this league in action. Give this league – my league – a chance. You won’t be disappointed. In fact, go one step further: the ABA’s contract with FOX is for the championship tournament, but why not e-mail the network and encourage them to carry the regular season games as well? And, don’t stop there. Get your friends and family to join the campaign.
I’ll even make you a deal – if you get all your friends and their friends to e-mail FOX to carry the ABA’s next season, you can mention my name. If the network will carry the games, I will agree to do color commentary for the broadcasts. For all of you who have sent in cards, letters and e-mails wondering how you can see me on a regular basis, this is your chance. Send your e-mails to: feedback@foxsports.com
Basketball in general, and the ABA specifically, is my passion. If you support the league for my benefit, then I thank you. But, if nothing else please find the passions in your own life and embrace them and pursue them with the same fever. Life is too short to be complacent.
As always, I am your fan. You are my family.
Peace Love Trust
rikki lee travolta
Review other RLT commentary
It's All Relative
Stand Against Racism
Writing About Life
Crazy Pants Travolta
Gregory Hines
Everwood
Book Excerpt: Bus Fare
Learning to Stand
A Time of War
Country Charm
Talking Frankly About Family (& Christmas)
My Fractured Life
Forever Love
Good and Evil
Man Behind the Wheel
The Little Engine that Could: A Memorial
Perceptions of Perfection
Personal Decisions
Responsibility in Communication
You Done Good
Duality of Man
Evolution of a Hero
Reason to Quit - Stop Smoking
Beware of Stalkers
Dare to Dream
Do The Right Thing
Dealing with Abuse
Mother's Day
Right to Choose
Support the Cause
Just Try
Virtue of One
Martin Luther King Jr
Free Form Jazz
Creating the News
Great Expectations
Story of a Life
Acting 101
Why I Cried
Personal Values vs. Monetary Value
Broken Hearts
Dignity over Jealousy
Community Responsibility
Life, Honesty, and Integrity
Drug Withdrawal
Christmas Spirit
Rikki Lee Travolta's debut album!
Return to:
| TravoltaNet Home | RLT Biography |
