Post by 50yardfan on Jun 23, 2011 22:42:29 GMT -5
baronsbeat.wordpress.com/
Reno's indoor football team underwent substantial bending in their first season, but the Barons finally broke on Wednesday ceasing operations two games early after players, coaches, and staff participated in several games without payment.
Of the two games Barons' owner Cesare (Chez) Jennings cancelled includes the promised "championship game" with the Stockton Wolves which players, coaches and staff have raved about all season.
"I was in a mad scramble to try and fix this championship game because if we don't have a championship game, it's like beating a dead horse," Jennings said in a phone interview. "So we're gonna try and prepare for next year and maybe get into a league."
These shortcomings were brought on by bounced payroll checks due to a big list of expenses. Jennings originally told BaronsBeat, in the article linked above, that his account was overdrawn $7,500 as a result of an "issue with a wire transfer" and that it would be taken care of this week, but he told News Channel 2 Reno that he's behind $19,000 because the Barons "had financial problems and paid $100,000 to help pay for the opposing teams to come here to play"
The announcement has brought on a slue of social media activity conveying opinions and allegations.
As demonstrated in another article written at BaronsBeat, athletes continued playing three weeks without pay for fans, love of the game, and to build their football resumes, according to several players and staff members. Some players insisted they should continue putting on a show for Reno despite being neglected of payment:
A Facebook post from Barons' offemsive lineman:
Christopher Henderson "I hope some folks understand that "not playing" won't put $ in their pockets any faster than "playing"! I understand if you're actually working and making $. But if you're just doing it to spite our owner, you aint hurting no one but your fans and teammates ... and that's a **** ****shame!!! Excuse my language but some of us actually play cause we love this game and for ya'll to quit now with 1 game to go?! smh"
Christopher Henderson "I know I'll look back at this experience and share it with my kids. I'll tell them "Daddy played football for a great team that had a broke ass owner, but Daddy stuck it out and never quit despite not getting what was owed to him!" Will you be able to tell your kids the same???"
A noble statement; but since Jennings would still be responsible to pay for renting the Reno Events Center, referees, and possibly the cost of bringing in teams, it's unreasonable to believe that finishing the season is possible with the amount of debt he's in.
Unless someone chipped in the cash to finish out the season, as this Facebook wall post by a Barons' employee suggests:
Cliff Porter "It's sad that something so good and positive has taken such a ill turn! My hope is that the Real Baron Nation that was started will stand up and shoe (show) support for the players next Game! Even not being paid stopped these players from doing what they love!! A true mark of playing for the LOVE of the Game! Go Barons!"
Another venerable idea, but it's safe to say the season is over as the patients of players and staff have been stretched to their end. Both Barons' players and staff threatened to call it quits if payment wasn't made by Tuesday June 21, and on Wednesday, they followed through with those threats as displayed by an employee-run Facebook page.
" This page will no longer exist after midnight tonight. "
Reno Barons
June 22, 2011
A Facebook wall post from Barons general manager:
Tim Pierce:
"*********** say they made Tim, Made Tim say ok so,make another Tim!"
Referring to his resignation from the Barons.
Tim Pierce "I stand by my decision, much love Baron Nation"
Other Barons' affiliates soon came to the realization that the season was over and to some involved, it was anything but a smooth break.
Quote from Barons' sports information director Spencer Thomas:
" Hey KTVN Channel 2 News,KRNV News 4, and Channel 8. All Media that see¡¯s this post. You should all know the real truth about this so called organization called the Reno Barons. I have a tell all story. Let me know if you wanna hear it 775-273-8004 Spencer Thomas. "
Reno Barons
June 22, 2011
Reno Barons' wide receiver Lee Morehead:
" I think everyone that is owed money, or was scammed by the Owner and GM of the Reno Barons should come together and light a Massive Legal Bonfire under their asses! What do you think???"
L Dubble Lee
June 22, 2011
Former Barons' wide receiver Scott Witter:
" Ya know I'm not the kind of guy to tell you, "I told you so" but to everyone who backed the Reno Barons, I TOLD YOU SO!!!!"
Scott Witter
June 22, 2011
" Looks like I have an interview with News Channel 2 News, and possibly Channel 4! Regarding the Reno Barons management scandal."
L Dubble Lee
June 22, 2011
Some other player perspectives via Facebook posts:
Barons' defensive back Ryan Johnson:
Goldi Johnson "... unfortunately ... the proverbial funk has hit the fan ... most of us out of state guys already have our departure dates and times..."
Barons' quarterback:
Thomas Peregrin "To all the Players, Fans and Support Staff, I have had an amazing time this year playing with my teammates in front of the best fans arena football has to offer. Despite our unfortunate circumstances I have had a blast and thank God that I had the opportunity to play football again and would not trade it for anything. Thank You! Thomas Peregrin #9"
Although there is still much to be solved as far as compensation goes, the Barons' organization knows one thing for sure: the season is over. As for next season, Jennings says the Barons' will be back next year better than ever.
Here is some coverage from Reno media regarding the cease of operations:
"[SPORTS] Reno Barons not paying players and personnel
www.mynews4.com/story.php?id=45797&n=69
KRNV
June 23, 2011
" Disappointed to see Reno Barons season end two games early. Team can¡¯t pay players, personnel or rent playing facility. @krnv
BryanSamudio
June 23, 2011
" Reno Barons Inaugural Season Over, Personnel Not Paid www.ktvn.com/story/14960219/reno-barons-inaugural-season-over-personnel-not-paid?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
ktvn
June 23, 2011
Community reactions:
" Reno Barons are a bust folks. Say adios 2 indoor football in Reno. "
jleimer
June 23, 2011
A comment posted on a Facebook page titled "Reno Barons Fan Page" regarding the state of the team:
Breanna Moore: "I'am sorry but i care for one of the players alot and support him as a player and the other players .But i will say really chaz you and the pep that run this page to start lieing about good men that care for this team. you are a low life and should have taken the money for this team and left it alone. you need your ass kicked for what you have done to these good men and us as fan's"
Fans, players, coaches, and staff of the Barons' organization have been vocal about the situation, and social media seems to be one of the primary ways the Barons' affiliates and afficionados communicate with both the public and one another.
But as social media only allows a glimpse of the reality these problems present, BaronsBeat will do an in-depth and personal report of the events next week after recording video testimonials from any willing Barons' affiliates and fans.
Reno's indoor football team underwent substantial bending in their first season, but the Barons finally broke on Wednesday ceasing operations two games early after players, coaches, and staff participated in several games without payment.
Of the two games Barons' owner Cesare (Chez) Jennings cancelled includes the promised "championship game" with the Stockton Wolves which players, coaches and staff have raved about all season.
"I was in a mad scramble to try and fix this championship game because if we don't have a championship game, it's like beating a dead horse," Jennings said in a phone interview. "So we're gonna try and prepare for next year and maybe get into a league."
These shortcomings were brought on by bounced payroll checks due to a big list of expenses. Jennings originally told BaronsBeat, in the article linked above, that his account was overdrawn $7,500 as a result of an "issue with a wire transfer" and that it would be taken care of this week, but he told News Channel 2 Reno that he's behind $19,000 because the Barons "had financial problems and paid $100,000 to help pay for the opposing teams to come here to play"
The announcement has brought on a slue of social media activity conveying opinions and allegations.
As demonstrated in another article written at BaronsBeat, athletes continued playing three weeks without pay for fans, love of the game, and to build their football resumes, according to several players and staff members. Some players insisted they should continue putting on a show for Reno despite being neglected of payment:
A Facebook post from Barons' offemsive lineman:
Christopher Henderson "I hope some folks understand that "not playing" won't put $ in their pockets any faster than "playing"! I understand if you're actually working and making $. But if you're just doing it to spite our owner, you aint hurting no one but your fans and teammates ... and that's a **** ****shame!!! Excuse my language but some of us actually play cause we love this game and for ya'll to quit now with 1 game to go?! smh"
Christopher Henderson "I know I'll look back at this experience and share it with my kids. I'll tell them "Daddy played football for a great team that had a broke ass owner, but Daddy stuck it out and never quit despite not getting what was owed to him!" Will you be able to tell your kids the same???"
A noble statement; but since Jennings would still be responsible to pay for renting the Reno Events Center, referees, and possibly the cost of bringing in teams, it's unreasonable to believe that finishing the season is possible with the amount of debt he's in.
Unless someone chipped in the cash to finish out the season, as this Facebook wall post by a Barons' employee suggests:
Cliff Porter "It's sad that something so good and positive has taken such a ill turn! My hope is that the Real Baron Nation that was started will stand up and shoe (show) support for the players next Game! Even not being paid stopped these players from doing what they love!! A true mark of playing for the LOVE of the Game! Go Barons!"
Another venerable idea, but it's safe to say the season is over as the patients of players and staff have been stretched to their end. Both Barons' players and staff threatened to call it quits if payment wasn't made by Tuesday June 21, and on Wednesday, they followed through with those threats as displayed by an employee-run Facebook page.
" This page will no longer exist after midnight tonight. "
Reno Barons
June 22, 2011
A Facebook wall post from Barons general manager:
Tim Pierce:
"*********** say they made Tim, Made Tim say ok so,make another Tim!"
Referring to his resignation from the Barons.
Tim Pierce "I stand by my decision, much love Baron Nation"
Other Barons' affiliates soon came to the realization that the season was over and to some involved, it was anything but a smooth break.
Quote from Barons' sports information director Spencer Thomas:
" Hey KTVN Channel 2 News,KRNV News 4, and Channel 8. All Media that see¡¯s this post. You should all know the real truth about this so called organization called the Reno Barons. I have a tell all story. Let me know if you wanna hear it 775-273-8004 Spencer Thomas. "
Reno Barons
June 22, 2011
Reno Barons' wide receiver Lee Morehead:
" I think everyone that is owed money, or was scammed by the Owner and GM of the Reno Barons should come together and light a Massive Legal Bonfire under their asses! What do you think???"
L Dubble Lee
June 22, 2011
Former Barons' wide receiver Scott Witter:
" Ya know I'm not the kind of guy to tell you, "I told you so" but to everyone who backed the Reno Barons, I TOLD YOU SO!!!!"
Scott Witter
June 22, 2011
" Looks like I have an interview with News Channel 2 News, and possibly Channel 4! Regarding the Reno Barons management scandal."
L Dubble Lee
June 22, 2011
Some other player perspectives via Facebook posts:
Barons' defensive back Ryan Johnson:
Goldi Johnson "... unfortunately ... the proverbial funk has hit the fan ... most of us out of state guys already have our departure dates and times..."
Barons' quarterback:
Thomas Peregrin "To all the Players, Fans and Support Staff, I have had an amazing time this year playing with my teammates in front of the best fans arena football has to offer. Despite our unfortunate circumstances I have had a blast and thank God that I had the opportunity to play football again and would not trade it for anything. Thank You! Thomas Peregrin #9"
Although there is still much to be solved as far as compensation goes, the Barons' organization knows one thing for sure: the season is over. As for next season, Jennings says the Barons' will be back next year better than ever.
Here is some coverage from Reno media regarding the cease of operations:
"[SPORTS] Reno Barons not paying players and personnel
www.mynews4.com/story.php?id=45797&n=69
KRNV
June 23, 2011
" Disappointed to see Reno Barons season end two games early. Team can¡¯t pay players, personnel or rent playing facility. @krnv
BryanSamudio
June 23, 2011
" Reno Barons Inaugural Season Over, Personnel Not Paid www.ktvn.com/story/14960219/reno-barons-inaugural-season-over-personnel-not-paid?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
ktvn
June 23, 2011
Community reactions:
" Reno Barons are a bust folks. Say adios 2 indoor football in Reno. "
jleimer
June 23, 2011
A comment posted on a Facebook page titled "Reno Barons Fan Page" regarding the state of the team:
Breanna Moore: "I'am sorry but i care for one of the players alot and support him as a player and the other players .But i will say really chaz you and the pep that run this page to start lieing about good men that care for this team. you are a low life and should have taken the money for this team and left it alone. you need your ass kicked for what you have done to these good men and us as fan's"
Fans, players, coaches, and staff of the Barons' organization have been vocal about the situation, and social media seems to be one of the primary ways the Barons' affiliates and afficionados communicate with both the public and one another.
But as social media only allows a glimpse of the reality these problems present, BaronsBeat will do an in-depth and personal report of the events next week after recording video testimonials from any willing Barons' affiliates and fans.