A story from the Times Union About last years home opener!
First Jam session is tonight
Pro basketball returns to Jacksonville as ABA franchise faces Orlando.
Following failed tries by four other teams, none of which lasted more than one season, Krupczynski will unveil the expansion Jacksonville Jam of the American Basketball Association today at 7 p.m. against the Orlando Aces at the University of North Florida Arena.
True to the revamped ABA's rocky six-year history, the Jam were supposed to play the Orlando Orange Men until Syracuse University sued the owners last week for copyright infringement.
But Krupczynski, a former high-tech executive and recent Jacksonville transplant who owns the team with his wife, Anne, is undaunted by the 52-team ABA's problems or pro basketball's historic lack of traction here.
"We're not trying to be just a basketball team," he said. "Our target isn't the diehard basketball fan. It's the casual fans and families, and if we can get them, then we can be here for the long haul."
The Jam is technically the ABA's second try in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Wave lasted less than a month in 2004, and folded in part because the team played its games at a high school gym in Camden County, Ga.
The ABA's newest Jacksonville entry isn't generating much excitement, either. Krupczynski said the team has sold just 231 season tickets for its 18-game home schedule (all on Friday or Sunday) at UNF's 5,800-seat arena.
Krupczynski said roughly 1,000 tickets have been sold for tonight's opener, but he didn't believe between 2,000 and 3,000 was out of the question.
"Jacksonville is a big walk-up market, as we're all aware," he said. "The positive thing is that we've gotten a lot of calls and interest."
Krupczynski said the Jam needs to average 2,000 fans per game for him to at least break even, which he admitted will be difficult considering the city's history. Ticket prices also start at $10 and go as high as $40 for courtside seats.
"We've got a lot of work ahead of us, no doubt about it,'' he said.
The Jam will try to attract interest with promotions and a roster dotted with local players that include former Fletcher High School, University of Kentucky and Texas Christian player Myron Anthony and Englewood's Jerry Williams, the brother of Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis.
Among the promotions planned is "Jam With The A-Train" Night on Nov. 19, when local basketball legend Artis Gilmore - who played in the original ABA in the 1970s - will sign a one-day contract, suit up for the first half and have his jersey No. 53 retired at halftime.
The Jam, whose 12-man roster includes four players signed during open tryouts, went 3-0 during the preseason. Williams averaged nearly 25 points per game.
"We've got a very deep basketball team going,'' said coach Steve Tucker, who's in his second ABA stint and has coached in five different U.S. minor leagues. "We've got a lot of young talent, and the pieces are there to be a very competitive team right away."
bart.hubbuch@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4148