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ABA adds West Palm Beach for 2006 season

December 24, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release


West Palm Beach, FL. The American Basketball Association (ABA) announced that it has added West Palm Beach to the list of expansion teams for next season. The team, to be called the Palm Beach Imperials, will be owned by Imperiali Organization ( www.imperiali.org), an ownership group led by international businessman, Daniel Imperato ( www.daniel2008.com). "I've always believed in sports and entertainment and few things could make me happier than bringing the first professional basketball team home to West Palm Beach," stated Imperato. The Palm Beach Imperials have already assembled an impressive ownership group and management team.

Billy Thompson, former Los Angeles Laker and current pastor at Jesus People Proclaim Int'l Ministries in Boca Raton has agreed to be the team's co-owner, General Manager, Asslstant Coach and player. "I'm excited to be a part of the ABA," commented Thompson. "I've brought championships to Camden High School, the University of Louisville, the LA Lakers, the Overseas teams I've played for and now, I'm looking to bring an ABA championship here to Palm Beach."

The management group also inlcudes Stephen Henderson as Vice President of Entertainment. Henderson is one of Hip-Hop's leading executives who has worked with the likes of Boyz II Men, Jay-Z, Queen Latifa, Naughty by Nature, Shaggy and the late Notorious BIG.

Heading up merchandising will be Sharif Profit, former Art Director for Tyco and Mattel Toys. Profit currently designs custom professional items and field marketing programs for the likes of NSYNC, Eminem, 50 Cent, Missy Elliot, Alicia Keys, Reebok, Addidas, McDonalds and JP Morgan Chase Manhattan Bank.

"We've put together an incredible group to lead the team, with experience ranging from music entertainment, sports, investment banking, politics, business, to public relations. With all of these resources we look to bring a unique brand of sports and entertainment to the Palm Beach market," stated Dan Mangru the team's President of Basketball Operations and co-owner. Mangru brings a diverse background to the team having been successful in investment banking, politics, concert organization, corporate advisory and public relations.

"The Palm Beach Imperials adds a great piece to our portfolio," said Mangru, who also sits on the Board of Directors of Imperiali. "With Imperiali, the fastest gateway to the glbe, we look to expose the world to our fusion of music, basketball, culture and entertainment here in West Palm Beach."

Mr. Imperato has been a resident of West Palm Beach for over 10 years and has devoted his time to many worthwhile causes including youth and HIV/AIDS. Presently, he has organized a Presidential Exploratory Committee in order to guage support for a possible run at the White House in 2008.

Joe Newman, ABA CEO, added, "We are very pleased to have this high powered, experienced organization as part of the ABA. With only one team in Florida this season, a great team in fact, scheduling games has been difficult. The Imperials are the first of several new ABA teams that will be in Florida next season and it will be the the basis for great rivalries - sort of like the rivalries between Miami U, Florida and Florida State. If fans from the West Palm Beach area have not had a chance to see exciting ABA professional basketball (at affordable prices), we are encouraging them to see the Florida Pit Bulls at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise - it's the best combination sports and entertainment value in South Florida - and it will give you a taste of what's to come."

For more information, call 561 208 8471, email dan@imperiali.org, or visit www.imperiali.org or abalive.com.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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