Effective February 17, 2010, the Florida Flight will partake in the
upcoming 2010 World Basketball Association (WBA).
The team, located in Kissimmee, Florida, is majority owned and
operated by Mark King, a former minor league professional basketball
player, and Dr. Jonathan Mitchell, a practicing pediatric dentist.
Originally planning to play in the Premier Basketball League (PBL), King and Mitchell altered the original flight plan to take a more regional approach for the first year to minimize the heavy burden of travel costs associated with playing in a league predominantly located in the Northeast.
"We've carefully evaluated our goals for the first year, and we believe the concern of covering the travel costs associated with playing in the PBL would only distract us from what we really want to accomplish as a newly developed team," said Mark King, Co-Founder and President of the Florida Flight. “We researched the minor league landscape in the southeast, and it was clear to us that the WBA was the ideal place for us to leave the gate and head toward the runway for launch.”
The proclamation is the first new team announcement for the upcoming 2010 WBA season.
“We have paid close attention to the Florida Flight for the past year or so, and we knew we were getting a quality ownership group with an innovative approach towards minor league basketball,” said Lionel Garrett, Commissioner of the WBA. “Adding the Flight to our 2010 list of teams should be mutually beneficial for both the Flight and the WBA.”
The league change will push the Flight eight months ahead of the scheduled launch of January 2011.
"When you have businesses approaching you for your sponsorship package, you know you have developed something special," said King, who is currently in the process of solidifying the venue contract and several other sponsorship contracts. "We've marketed the team, and made some key connections within the community. It is time for us to get on the hardwood, compete, and bring some much-needed retail traffic to the downtown area of Kissimmee."
The mission of the Florida Flight is to "Utilize the platform of professional basketball to promote a positive, healthy, morally sound society that values the importance of teaching critical societal elements like teamwork, leadership, accountability, and love and respect for others."
King, who is also in the process of completing a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from Palm Beach Atlantic University, expressed excitement about fusing two of the things he is most passionate about: basketball and Christian ministry. He also confirmed his intentions to take a Christian-themed approach to professional basketball with the Florida Flight.
"We aren't trying to preach sermons and hold alter calls at halftime," explained King. "We will, however, create a seeker-friendly environment at our games where both Christians and non- Christian can enjoy high-quality basketball at an affordable price. The underlying motive will be to promote Christian values and principles in a non-threatening manner so that people of various backgrounds are exposed to the foundational truths of Christianity."
The WBA will be holding its annual free agent camp March 26-27 at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville, GA. Members of the Florida Flight crew plan to be in attendance with the hopes of filling out their 10-man active roster.
“We’ll be announcing our coaching staff within the coming weeks. We hope to have a commitment from our top candidate in time for the WBA free agent camp,” said King, who plans to incorporate a Phoenix Suns-style offense with the Flight. “We’re particularly interested in finding a couple of athletic big men with quick outlet passing abilities, strong defensive tendencies, and the conditioning to get up and down the floor at a frantic pace.”
The WBA will begin its 2010 season boasting teams from Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. The league will play an 18-game season starting in May. Commissioner Lionel Garrett is excited about the future of the 7th year league.
“Minor league basketball has had a tumultuous couple of years, but we are extremely excited about what the future holds for the WBA,” said Garrett. “The basketball part comes easy. Our goal is to add quality owners who have the business savvy and marketing skills necessary to be successful in this business both on and off the court. We believe that we took a step in this direction by welcoming the Florida Flight into the WBA family.”
For more information about the WBA, please visit: www.wbaball.net
For more information about the Florida Flight, please visit: www.flighthoops.com
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