Watch above: For the first time since the disastrous end to their season the owner of the Halifax Rainmen is speaking out. Ray Bradshaw reports.
HALIFAX – On Saturday, Halifax Rainmen coaches and players told their story about why they decided not to play game seven of their NBL Canada final. Today, team owner Andre Levingston had his say before a throng of media.
It was the first time Levingston has spoken since his team walked away from game seven. The coaches and players refused to play – saying they felt threatened – after a fight at practice earlier in the day.
“I take full responsibility for leading my team to the WFC arena on Thursday morning when it was not our assigned practice time,” said Levingston.
When the Rainmen didn’t show up, Windsor was awarded the championship. Windsor’s mayor says the Rainmen’s concerns were unfounded.
“Windsor played very, very well and they were not the team was out there trying to hurt other players,” said Mayor Drew Dilkens.
After forfeiting, the Rainmen were levied with $90,000 in fines by the NBL – $70,000 to coaches and players and $20,000 to the team. Levingston said he wanted the team to play. “Although we had communicated to the league our concerns about how physical the play had become I did not agree with Mr. Claros (rainmen Coach) decision not to play the final game.”
Levingston says he felt precautions were in place for a safe game, but Rainmen player Joey Haywood disagrees. “Guys are saying – you’re not going to leave the city,” he said to Levingston, during a confrontation at today’s press conference, “and then we get back to the hotel – a guy walks in – looking at us – we got families and stuff. It just wasn’t a safe environment.”
Haywood says Levingston knew what would have happened in game 7. “It would have been a blood bath. It would have been crazy. It’s not even basketball and you know it.”
If you’re thinking it’s the end of the Rainmen, Levingston has other thoughts. “The Rainmen will be back to compete in the NBL Canada next season and we have a ton of work to do.”
It will be very difficult for Levingston to not only win back fans and sponsors, but also to get players to come to Halifax to play the game. “It went international. It’s going to be tough. I hope there’s a team here for the fans” said Haywood, but he says he won’t be back and will fight the fine through legal action.
As it stands, the fines must be paid before players will be allowed to play with any sanctioned league, anywhere in the world.
Comments