I recently received an e-mail from Dale Moss, the president of the Harlem Ambassadors....a traveling basketball team [go to their website: The Harlem Ambassadors].
Recently, they filed a complaint with the FTC concerning the business practices of the Harlem Globetrotters [ya know, that team that hasn't been the same since the 1970s-1980s when they were helping Scooby Doo with crimes or Gilligan get off that Island]. Essentially, the complaint is that the Globetrotters force venues to sign agreements that prohibit them from allowing any other kind of "barnstorming team" to perform in that arena for 8 weeks before...and 6 weeks after....the Globetrotters' appearance. This forces the Ambassadors to book shows in smaller venues.
For the article on the beef....please....go to Sports Law Blog and check out the sides of the story.
To be honest....I had never heard of the Ambassadors until Mr. Moss sent me his e-mail. Upon doing research for this blog entry...I will say that I will be on the lookout for them if they come into the Cincinnati area [Mr. Moss graduated from nearby Ohio State]. They feature both men and women, and from 3rd party accounts that I have read, are quite exciting, approachable [which is nice when you bring the kids] and seem to be involved in raising awareness in smaller communities of various charities.
And while I'm sure it does suck to be shut out from the major venues....I will say that the fact that they do appear in smaller towns does seem to make their impact with lives a bit greater.
As for the complaint....I do agree with Mr. Moss. While other forms of entertainment [circuses] also make such demands on arenas...I do find it unfair that the window is so large. Maybe the window could be lessened to 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after.....but not the 3 month period it is now. This would allow the Globetrotters to come in and do their thing.....then allows for the Ambassadors more time to schedule their own shows. And I know you can say, "but Sportz....the Trotters are giving them about 9 months available to schedule shows." Very true...and that made me hesitant at first to their complaint. However, if the Globetrotters schedule a show in July....it essentially shuts out the Ambassadors from performing at that arena all summer. And....it turn...could shut them out all year long. Remember, the summer is the slow time for major arenas. During the fall, winter and spring months....the NBA, NHL, circus, tractor pulls, concerts, conventions and the like eat up many of the available dates. So if they cannot get in during the summer....they may not get in at all.
Anyway...judge for yourself but going to the websites. I hope to hear from Mr. Moss again so maybe he can lay out his full complaint and that I can put it here for you guys to view.
MORE ARTICLES:
Milwauke Journal-Sentinel: JS Online: Ambassadors' beef with Globetrotters is no joke
SitNews - Harlem Ambassadors Promote "Stay in School, Stay Off Drugs"
The Canadian Army [includes video]: The Canadian Army - News - Headlines
If you wish to email Mr. Moss.....do so at harlemambassadors@juno.com
E-mail me at SportzAssassin@aol.com
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