The Calgary Drillers' immediate future is secure even if they continue to draw abysmal crowds at home, the president of the team's parent company says. The local American Basketball Association franchise drew about 300 fans -- and some would say that's a generous count -- to each of the team's first two home games against the Las Vegas Rattlers in the 6,200-seat Corral.
There are 16 more home games on the schedule -- and, according to the guy who pays the bills, they'll be played.
"We got what we earned (fan-wise)," said Allan Howell, president of Miami-based Global Sports Holdings Inc., which owns the Drillers.
"Obviously, I would have loved to have more people at the games but we've got to earn the right to have more people and my objective is to earn (the fans') respect and that only comes with time. In another 30 days, we'll get a much better response."
And if they don't ...?
"That's the least of (our worries)," Howell said. "The season only lasts until the end of March but the question is how can we earn the respect of the fans to come out and take a look at us. We're not born with the right to get people to come watch the games. We have to earn it and we're determined to do that.
"We're already building for next year."
The Drillers got off to a rough start. The team wasn't on the ABA schedule when the season began in mid-November and didn't play its first game until mid-December.
The franchise only finalized its Corral lease agreement two weeks ago and installed the temporary playing surface less than 24 hours before tipoff for its inaugural home date.
According to Howell, current Drillers bench boss Otis Hailey originally owned the team but couldn't make a go of it.
"The franchise was going to fold ... and, the following day, we were approached and agreed to do it," said Howell.
Global Sports Holdings is a subsidiary of Miami Arena Inc., which owns the Miami Arena.
"We're scrambling at about 100 miles per hour to catch up," said Howell.
Because of holidays, the Drillers were hampered in their efforts to get things ready -- including programs -- for their home-opener. However, those who attended watched good, high-scoring basketball.
Calgary's next home game is Tuesday (7 p.m., Stampede Corral) against Fresno.
