Thunderbolts' focus on future

These tough economic times have not pulled the plug on the ABA's Knoxville Thunderbolts, whose owners maintain the team is here for the long haul.

"We've been able to keep it alive," Thunderbolts General Manager/Owner Chris Glisson said before Saturday night's 143-111 victory against the Bahamas All-Pro Show at Grace Christian Academy.

"Our whole motto is, 'Keep the Dream Alive.' We're here to stay. I'm sure that when people start hearing more and more about us they'll want to jump on board and be part of this."

History shows the ABA is a hard sell in Knoxville. Teams have come and gone in fast-break style. This is the Thunderbolts' first year of existence.

There were less than 100 fans at Saturday's game. The Thunderbolts (4-5) have 20 games left on their regular-season schedule, seven at home. Ticket sales have been slower than Glisson expected before the season.

"It's been tough," Glisson said. "We only have 300 people showing up on the average attendance but we've had a lot of feedback saying it's great family fun."

The Thunderbolts are owned and operated by The Huffson Group. Glisson and his brother, Marty (Doc) Glisson, are two of the owners.

"I would say we're breaking even, and I would say just as a first-year business breaking even is a win, I think," Chris Glisson said. "We're in tough times right now and we're looking at adjusting some ticket prices."

Actually, they already have. Tickets for 18-under ages are $5.

Three players expected to be featured by the Thunderbolts - all former University of Tennessee players - weren't at Saturday's game.

Guard Jordan Howell, who finished his eligibility at UT last season, was introduced as one of the Thunderbolts when the team was formed.

"(Howell) had some personal issues he had to attend to and he wasn't able to fulfill his obligations with us," Chris Glisson said.

Glisson said Dane Bradshaw, who played for UT two years ago, suffered a knee injury last week in a Thunderbolts game, and Damon Johnson, who spent several years playing overseas after his UT career, hurt his knee about three weeks ago. Bradshaw and Johnson are both expected back, Glisson said.

"(Johnson) has been playing for us," Chris Glisson said. "He's our star, our leader on the court for sure."

The Thunderbolts still have their team bus, but use a local charter bus for road games.

"We're using an affordable company, a local company, again, giving back to Knoxville," Glisson said.

Glisson said the owners still plan to build a multi-purpose indoor sports complex, The Thunderdome, at an estimated cost of $22 million.

"There's a good group of people that are backing that venture," Glisson said. "That's a whole different venture, but it's about keeping the dream alive. The Dome is going up."