NorCal Cycling News – Cycling and Racing in Northern California

The Sportsbase-gate continues to unfold after I received an email and call from NCNCA president Bill Nicely who had been in touch with Dirk Cowley.  Cowley purportedly told Nicely that NorCal promoters would be made whole (paid in full) on the money that is owed to them.  Several promoters who had been trying to pin down a Sportsbaseonline.com representative for the last few weeks expressed and eagerness to speak with Nicely, via our comments section, to figure out more of what was going on with the company which is apparently shutting down operations.  An email was forwarded to us later in the day ,purportedly sent to promoters et al, promising full compensation for money they are owed.  The letter we received is below.

From: SportsBaseOnline Admin <>

To:

Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 1:41 PM

Subject: Update from SportsBaseOnline

First off, we apologize for the unclear email that was sent on Monday, October 3, 2011.  Sports Marketing Concepts, Inc. DBA SportsBaseOnline is dissolving as of October 15, 2011 but has every intention of paying funds owed to all outstanding events with regard to registration fees.

We are currently working to sell company assets and obtain private funding with which to do so.  We hope to have this solidified and have payments dispersed as soon as possible.  We will keep you posted with regard to your payment and what steps need to be followed to complete the transfer of funds.

I especially like how they apologize for how their original communication was “unclear”, that’s a nice touch, and a rather amusing understatement.  I think it was quite clear, as in, “SBO is not going to pay you.”  Of course “intending” to pay out funds owed, and actually doing it are two different matters.  This most recent communication is more promising than the original email which stated everybody was S-O-L.  The original email was likely required as part of a legal dissolution proceeding, something akin to a bankruptcy filing.

While there may be some hope for promoters who have been left in the lurch, extracting money from entities that are going down the tubes is never an easy endeavor.  Our advice to you is stay loud, stay angry, and get a lawyer ready in the wings.