Oregon Riptide

The Oregon Riptide was the name chosen for an American Basketball Association (ABA) franchise which was to be based in Portland, Oregon. In May, 2006, founding team owner, Jeremy "J" Brice, of Salem, had gained ABA approval, opened a front office in downtown Portland, and announced its staff.[1] A May 27 free agent camp was held to recruit an initial roster of players.[2]

Oregon Riptide
Founded2006
LeagueABA
Team historyno games ever played
Based inPortland, Oregon
ColorsTBA
OwnerChristopher Sears
Head coachTBA
Championships0
Division titles0

Brice arranged with Warner Pacific College for arena facilities for a summer youth basketball camp to be sponsored by the team, and for the competitive season to have begun in November, 2006.[3] He had even contracted with the Jupiter Hotel to house visiting team members.[4]

Plans for the youth camp were quickly cancelled in July, 2006, following an article revealing that Brice, a Nevada native who had served as a high school and youth league coach, was a registered sex offender in both California and Oregon. As a result, he could not have unsupervised contact with girls under 18, except for his daughter. Warner Pacific, a Christian college affiliated with the conservative Church of God (Anderson), withdrew availability of their facilities.[3]

Brice sold the franchise to Christopher Sears less than a week later, telling a reporter for the Tribune, "I am no longer associated with the Riptide due to the negativity and black cloud over my name." The league approved the transfer, and Joe Newman, ABA CEO, stated that the team would still play in the 2006 season.[5] When the ABA season started in November 2006, however, the Oregon Riptide was not on the schedule.

References
  1. "Oregon Riptide announce web site and front office" (Press release). American Basketball Association. May 4, 2006. Retrieved November 29, 2006.
  2. "Oregon Riptide free agent camp crucial" (Press release). American Basketball Association. May 8, 2006. Retrieved November 29, 2006.
  3. Vondersmith, Jason (July 13, 2006). "Basketball team owner's past could derail dream". Portland Tribune. Retrieved February 26, 2007.
  4. "Oregon Riptide partners with Jupiter Hotel" (Press release). American Basketball Association. May 22, 2006. Retrieved November 29, 2006.
  5. "Sources say: Scandal-ridden Riptide ownership changes hands". Portland Tribune. July 18, 2006. Retrieved February 26, 2007.
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