Oregon Riptide
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| Oregon Riptide | |
 |
|
| Founded | 2006 |
| League | ABA 2006-present |
| Team History | Oregon Riptide 2006-present |
| Arena | Warner Pacific College 2006-present |
|---|---|
| Based in | Portland, Oregon |
| Team Colors | TBA |
| Owner | Christopher Sears |
| Head Coach | TBA |
| Championships | 0 |
| Division Titles | 0 |
 |
This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. |
The Oregon Riptide was the name chosen for an American Basketball Association (ABA) franchise which was to be based in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. In May, 2006, founding team owner, Jeremy "J" Brice, of Salem, Oregon, had gained ABA approval, opened a front office in downtown Portland, and announced its staff.[1] A May 27th free agent camp was held to recruit an initial roster of players.[2]
Brice arranged with Warner Pacific College for arena facilities for a summer youth basketball camp to be sponsored by the team, and for the competitive season to have begun in November, 2006.[3]
He had even contracted with upscale Juniper Hotel to house visiting team members.[4].
Plans for the youth camp were quickly cancelled when the Portland Tribune published a July 13, 2006, story revealing that Brice, a Nevada native who had served as a high school and youth league coach, was a registered sex offender. Warner Pacific, a Christian college affiliated with the conservative Church of God (Anderson), withdrew availability of their facilities.[3]
Brice sold the franchise to Christopher Sears less than a week later, telling a reporter for the Tribune, "I am no longer associated with the Riptide due to the negativity and black cloud over my name." The league approved the transfer, and Joe Newman, ABA CEO, stated that the team would still play in the 2006 season.[5] When the ABA season started, November 2, 2006, the Oregon Riptide was not on the schedule, and the team's official website is no longer accessible.
[edit] References
- ^ American Basketball Association (May 4, 2006). Oregon Riptide announce web site and front office. Press release. Retrieved on [[November 29, 2006]].
- ^ American Basketball Association (May 8, 2006). Oregon Riptide free agent camp crucial. Press release. Retrieved on [[November 29, 2006]].
- ^ a b Vondersmith, James. "Basketball team owner's past could derail dream", Portland Tribune, July 13, 2006. Retrieved on [[November 29, 2006]].
- ^ American Basketball Association (May 22, 2006). Oregon Riptide partners with Juniper Hotel. Press release. Retrieved on [[November 29, 2006]].
- ^ "Sources say: Scandal-ridden Riptide ownership changes hands", Portland Tribune, July 18, 2006. Retrieved on [[November 29, 2006]].
