A few days ago a friend of mine posted a video about the All-American Basketball League on facebook. I can't get the video at school, but this article provides a good brief on the subject. The All-American Basketball League is basketball league that will only accept 100% white, American born players. The league plans to create twelve clubs based in southeastern cities. The mayor of Augustana, one of the cities asked to host a club, immediately refused to harbor a team from an all white league saying, "I could not support in good conscience bringing in a team that did not fit with the spirit of inclusiveness that I, along with many others, have worked so hard to foster in our city." The creation of an all white league does seem incredibly racist, but league creator Don "Moose" Lewis says that there is no hatred behind the formation of the league, "There’s nothing hatred about what we’re doing, I don’t hate anyone of color. But people of white American-born citizens are in the minority now. Here’s a league for white players to play fundamental basketball, which they like." According to Lewis, the NBA has become a "street-ball" league ridden with crude behavior and scandals (ex. Gilbirt Arenas), "making the creation of all-white teams a necessity." Although I did find myself thinking, "hmmmm, I would like to play professional basketball" (not really) I definitley (alright well maybe for a second) think that Don Lewis is a racist in the process of creating a racist league. The question I can't seem to figure out is how America will react to this league? Will any town want to adopt a team from an all white league? If so, how will the reputation of the town be affected? If this league comes to fruition will it see success? Would anyone want to play in it? Can a league like this become popular in this day and age?
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I read this story on yahoo one day, and I don't think anything like this could ever catch on. One, as you said, it sounds incredibly racist. Many people will have the opinion of the mayor of Augustana, and will just be unable to watch this in "good conscience". Also, there is the economic factor. Any sport needs viewer and supporters to keep the money pouring in. No company will want to support this as it is PR suicide, and many viewers will tune out because they will find it racist or just simply boring basketball (if the NBA takes the best players, there is no way this league will be of comparable quality). The league now lacks funds to operate, and I believe will fail for this reason.
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