A Day In VIRGINIA SQUIRES History |
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The Day "Super Rick" Barry Snubbed the |
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District of Columbia lawyer, Earl Foreman had experience with owning and operating major league franchises......he was part owner of the NBA Baltimore Bullets and had a vested interest in the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL. When an associate of his convinced him to purchase the Oakland Oaks of the American Basketball Association he admitted that he had never attended an ABA game in his life and knew nothing about the Oaks. His negotiations with the owners, which included singer Pat Boone (and the Bank of America) went smoother than expected and he ended up with an ABA team that had just won the league Championship and was described as "on the verge of an ABA dynasty". After signing on the dotted line (with no money exchanging hands) Foreman immediately announced that the team was moving to the East Coast and would play in the Nation's Capital as the Washington Caps. Foreman's star player, Rick Barry did not take the news of the team's move to DC in a favorable manner. Barry stated he had a verbal agreement with Boone that he would not have to join the team if it relocated anywhere outside the Bay area. Barry refused to join the team in DC, however Foreman held a valid contract that was upheld in court and "Super Rick" made his way across country and played the 1969-70 season in Washington. With a possible merger coming "just around the bend", Foreman was convinced by the NBA owners and a large sum of money to get his ABA franchise out of the Baltimore region. After some discussion regarding areas in the country ripe for a major league franchise, Foreman settled on Virginia and implemented a "regional" franchise, like the one in Carolina which he admired. Thus the Virginia Squires were born. Rick Barry, already dissatisfied with the DC location, voiced his reluctance to go South. Foreman refused to coddle his superstar and merely reminded him that he had a number of years left on his binding contract. Setting up the Virginia franchise involved much preparation by both Foreman and Coach Al Bianchi. Several venues across the state provided the hardwood for the Squires. Being the businessman he was, Foreman began the usual publicity push to let the state know about the new ABA team entering the Commonwealth. During this time, Sports Illustrated approached Barry about featuring him in an article and Foreman gladly presented his star player with a new Virginia Squires road jersey to wear for any pictures that would be taken. Obviously Foreman and the league were both thrilled to foresee all the positive, free publicity to the new franchise. In giddy anticipation Foreman reportedly purchased 500 copies before the publication of the magazine when he heard that Barry would grace the cover in his Squires uniform. When the magazine hit the stands on Friday August 21, 1970, Barry was on the front cover in the crimson Squires uniform.....however the contents of the article blindsided Foreman, the team and the league in general. Barry made a number of disparaging remarks about the state of Virginia and the Southern drawl that his sons would acquire if he moved with the Squires. The title of the article was "The Reluctant Virginian" and was authored by Peter Carry. Many felt that Barry was just playing into everyone's hands by making the negative comments about Virginia in an effort to distance him from the team and force Foreman (through public reaction) to give up on his contract and send him elsewhere. Earlier Barry had attempted to buy out his contract with Foreman for $100,000 but was refused. Foreman knew what a disgruntled player like Barry could do to the team but he felt obligated to keep Barry a Squire. Coach Al Bianchi and Foreman huddled regarding the situation and felt confident that Rookie Charlie Scott could fill Barry's shoes after warming up the the league's style of play. Together they decided to let Barry go in a trade but not to the rival NBA as Barry requested.......but instead to the New York Nets. By finally convincing the Nets owner, Roy Boe to take Barry (Foreman states he let him go for a paltry $25,000), he was rid of his complaining superstar AND created an instant rivalry between the Nets and the Squires. As was expected, each 1970-71 Virginia home game against the Nets brought out large, vocal crowds to boo their new arch enemy, "Super Rick" Barry, the Reluctant Virginian. |
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