OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

Eugene Church · 12-09-2016, 04:55 PM

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 27, 2001

IPA Expansion Group Request Meeting with Commissioner Banford.
Sources within the IPA commissioner's office speaking on the basis of anonymity told BNN and the Islandian Times that Gates Billingham and his expansion group have contacted Commissioner John Banford and requested to meet with him to get the official view of the organization on its plans to incorporate more franchises and to spread professional baseball franchises throughout the Islands.

Billionaire Billingham has put together a powerful group that represents not only the larger towns, but the smaller towns, too. It is a diverse group with considerable influence financially and politically. In addition, the overwhelming majority of Islanders favor expansion and making all areas of Tycobbian and Ruthlandia represented in the IPA Pro Cup Series. Billingham cited that there are at least 36 other towns in the Islands that can support pro teams. Most of them are already part of his expansionary organization.

A recent BNN poll showed 87% of Islanders are in favor extending IPA franchises to all parts of Islandia. The Islandian Times has also commissioned a poll on the same subject and will release it next week.

Billingham said his group has the money to contest the IPA in court, if necessary. He said that would be the last resort as it could delay league expansion as much as ten years through prolonged litigation. Billingham favors direct talks with Commissioner Banford and the IPA. Failing that he said his group would attempt legislation to force the issue, although this could be a lengthy process, too.

Billingham was quoted as saying, "If a decision is rendered quickly in this matter, my group of owners would be ready to roll in time for the 2002 season."

Billingham said, "The ball is in the IPA's court."

12-09-2016, 04:55 PM	#5310
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	The Islandian Times Saturday, October 27, 2001 IPA Expansion Group Request Meeting with Commissioner Banford. Sources within the IPA commissioner's office speaking on the basis of anonymity told BNN and the Islandian Times that Gates Billingham and his expansion group have contacted Commissioner John Banford and requested to meet with him to get the official view of the organization on its plans to incorporate more franchises and to spread professional baseball franchises throughout the Islands. Billionaire Billingham has put together a powerful group that represents not only the larger towns, but the smaller towns, too. It is a diverse group with considerable influence financially and politically. In addition, the overwhelming majority of Islanders favor expansion and making all areas of Tycobbian and Ruthlandia represented in the IPA Pro Cup Series. Billingham cited that there are at least 36 other towns in the Islands that can support pro teams. Most of them are already part of his expansionary organization. A recent BNN poll showed 87% of Islanders are in favor extending IPA franchises to all parts of Islandia. The Islandian Times has also commissioned a poll on the same subject and will release it next week. Billingham said his group has the money to contest the IPA in court, if necessary. He said that would be the last resort as it could delay league expansion as much as ten years through prolonged litigation. Billingham favors direct talks with Commissioner Banford and the IPA. Failing that he said his group would attempt legislation to force the issue, although this could be a lengthy process, too. Billingham was quoted as saying, "If a decision is rendered quickly in this matter, my group of owners would be ready to roll in time for the 2002 season." Billingham said, "The ball is in the IPA's court."