[21
JUN 00] COVENTRY CRUSADERS NEWS
Crusaders Slam-Dunked Out Of SkyDome
The
BUPA Coventry Crusaders have been kicked out of the SkyDome Arena and
will not be playing their home games there next season after a row
with the owners.
The
reason for the Crusaders being moved on after having agreed to play
their matches there varies.
SkyDome
owners Planet Ice insist it is because the Crusaders failed to win
top-flight status in the Dairylea Dunkers League.
But
Crusaders owner Dip Donaldson claims it is due to a disagreement over
compensation for the debut game last month that was called off because
of a wet court.
Despite
claims made by Planet Ice in April, no contract was signed. The
Crusaders have now arranged to return to playing their games in the
Sports Centre.
Simon
Burnett, general manager of the SkyDome Arena, said the decision to
part company with Donaldson had been taken very reluctantly.
He
said:
"Planet
Ice gave Dip and his club a great foundation on which they could
build a solid, commercially sound future in the top flight. They
have, however, failed to meet the financial requirements of entry
into the league and the chance has gone.
"We
feel there has been a lack of realistic ambition on the Crusaders'
behalf. A city the size of Coventry with such a rich sporting
heritage, coupled with a state-of-the-art arena should have been a
massive help in their bid to attract backing and they have had a
long time to prepare a business plan.
"That
has simply not come to fruition and we have felt that certain of
their aims have not been conducive to us running a successful
commercial operation when we host their matches. We feel our
ambitions have not been matched.”
Donaldson
has rebutted this. He said:
“The
issue that started all this was me looking for compensation for the
failed game. Planet Ice has constantly skated around the issue of
this.
“The
owners gave me their word about playing there next season.”
"At the current time the SkyDome have not responded to the Crusaders' initial attempts to resolve the opening night debacle of 15 May 2000.
"Accordingly, the Crusaders are having to make alternative arrangements for the 2000/01 Season as we remain unconvinced of the SkyDome's commitment to the Crusaders and their supporters."
He
added that he was taking legal advice about getting compensation, but
did not feel that the offer from Planet Ice was good enough.
Burnett
added:
“The
failed fixture was looked on from the outset as a special one-off
game totally separate from the season.
“Correspondence
has been exchanged between Dip and Planet Ice on the subject.
“We
feel both parties lost out on an unfortunate evening but we had
given the Crusaders the venue rent-free, and are still prepared to
discuss the matter directly with Dip.
“We
did make an offer based on a 50-50 split of ticket sale, but that
was rejected.”
"We
wish Dip and all his team the best of luck for the future. We have
been in talks with the British Basketball League about the
possibility of bringing another team to the city to guarantee
top-flight games in Coventry. Talks are under way but we hope to
have some news shortly."
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