"...the resigning members were distressed
that the league's finances and business operations
were not handled in a more professional manner and, in particular, that the league was unwilling
to provide relevant financial information
concerning its operating results.
They also noted significant staffing and
other organizational problems
that have beset the league since inception."
After months of controversy that erupted after a sound, journalistic report by Our Man Elli in Israel (the great journalist Elli Wohlgelernter) that was first published here, and days after Tabloid Baby revealed the details of a federal lawsuit that accused Israel Baseball League founder Larry Baras of fraud in using funds from a failing food company to start up the league, the IBL commissioner Daniel Kurtzer, the former US Ambassador to Israel, has sensationally resigned from the league, and board members-- including New York Yankee-connected PR maven Marty Appel-- also are running from the stink as fast as they can.
Appel himself put out the news release that leaves the future of the Israel Baseball League in serious doubt:
Daniel C. Kurtzer Resigns As Commissioner
of Israel Baseball League;
A Number of Advisory Board Members Also Depart
New York, November 15, 2007: Daniel C. Kurtzer, who served as Commissioner of the Israel Baseball League during its first season, has submitted his resignation to the league's founder, Larry Baras.In addition, a number of members of the Advisory Board have also resigned, including Martin Abramowitz, Marty Appel, Jeff Goldklang, Marvin Goldklang, Dr. Stuart Hershon, Randy Levine, Gary Rosen, Bob Ruxin, and Andrew Zimbalist, along with others. In addition to serving as advisors, Mr. Rosen handled league marketing, Mr. Abramowitz produced the league's baseball cards, Mr. Ruxin managed ticketing/merchandising and Mr. Appel handled public relations.
In their individual resignation statements, the resigning members noted the historic accomplishment of bringing baseball to the Middle East, completing a full schedule of games, and developing several players who went on to sign pro contracts in the US. The individuals also commended Mr. Baras for having the vision to bring professional baseball to the Israeli people.
However, the resigning members were distressed that the league's finances and business operations were not handled in a more professional manner and, in particular, that the league was unwilling to provide relevant financial information concerning its operating results. They also noted significant staffing and other organizational problems that have beset the league since inception.
All the members felt that the concept of professional baseball in Israel was a noble cause and a workable concept.
(The statements above are not direct quotations and are not attributable to any individual member named in this release. They are meant to provide a summary of the common theme found in the individual statements of resignation. Several advisors did not submit letters of resignation but requested that their names be removed from the Advisory Board).
Kurtzer had previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Egypt and then to Israel.
Contact: Marty Appel Public Relations ( Appelpr@aol.com)
7 comments:
I
B
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I ncredible
B ullshit
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L arry
Even if the IBL fails , Larry is still personally liable for wages and taxes. Don't believe Berger's nonsense that the past board are replaceable , and everything is fine.If everything was fine ,then how come you have not been paid? Its called piercing the corporate veil. It still would be prudent that a lawsuit should happen soon because the line might be very long.
unless you get paid!
would any of us be willing to play again in this 'horrendous' league. you think they will pay us more this time?
Hey guys...ok, it's time to stop all this anonymous stuff that's been going on...this IS a serious situation...the IBL's infrastructure has crumbled...very little, if anything, meaningful is left and for some very disturbing reasons (as clearly stated in the Goldklang/Zimbalist resignation letter)...unfortunately, Larry Baras and Martin Berger could not even secure a bridge loan that would allow the league to make the final payments on salaries due to players, managers and personnel. The federal lawsuit allegations are, if true, deeply disturbing and no-one can miss the unusual parallels between the allegations and what we in the league have experienced.
There is, from what I have seen in discussions that I have been having with some very responsible and concerned people, a very bright light at the end of the tunnel. I believe that baseball will continue in Israel and will have a brighter future than the past season could ever have foretold.
If you have concerns about money owed to you, please reach out to me at 917-710-7168 or by email at amgardneresq@gmail.com. And, if we have comments to make from hereon forward, let's make them professional and fact-based and sign off on them. Let's leave the emotional nonsense and smoky messages to the others that have been pulling the wool over our eyes (and, it seems, others) for a bit too long already.
Let's play two, men.
Alan Gardner
Bet Shemesh Blue Sox '07
so alan, not coming back next year , huh?:-)
It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
From a speech given by Theodore Roosevelt in Paris at the Sorbonne in 1910
Players, managers, personnel and vendors have been wronged to the tune of a lot of money. Maybe it has nothing to do with what our anonymous poster quotes Teddy Roosevelt saying at the Sorbonne in 1910.
This is 2007 and it has to do with running a business right, dotting i's, crossing t's and being forthright with the people that you deal with. Maybe it takes a "cold and timid soul" or two to sell a bill of goods to a bunch of largely college grads and poor Dominicans who need the money they are owed under a contract the parties agreed to, not to mention generous investors and vendors.
By the way players, if you want a copy of your signed contract (signed by both player and league rep), email Martin Berger and ask him to send you the PDF of it he has in his ofice computer. I asked him for mine to include in my scrapbook, before all this hit the fan, and he sent it to me almost immediately...they do exist and you have a right to yours.
Let's play two,
Alan
Alan, although I am anonymous for certain reasons, and yes I am ashamed, but f@@#K it.
My friend and you are a friend the cold and timid are not us rather they are the ones who really did not eat shnitzels , kabab, struggle to keep the league going (like larry even though he f@#@#ked up financially)but those who know how to talk the talk , walk the walk. They were all so nice and ready to keep their names out there when all over the US this was branded as a great idea. Supposedly they also gave ideas but say that Larry did not listen. Most of the ideas were so crazy because none of these guys set foot here in israel and most of their advise had nothing to do with the financials.
Alan, a lot went by this season, much was good ad yes now i await my $500 with patience and hope for next year. If that $500 is what I can give to the Israeli Kids then so be it. Not sure when the last time I gave to a worthy cause.
After reading all this I just might donate that money back to Larry so he does not have to raise it on my behalf as long as we can have a second season
Be strong Bro!!!!!
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