West Palm Beach Piranhas Hire Richard Rellford As General Manager

Online, October 12, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Former Riviera Beach and Suncoast High School All American basketball player Richard Rellford has been hired by the American Basketball League as the General Manager of the West Palm Beach Piranhas.

Rellford, a long-time resident of the Palm Beaches, will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Piranhas and brings to the American Basketball League a wealth of business and basketball experience, as well as well-established local business contacts. He partners with ABL founders Steve Haney and music mogul Steve Rifkind to develop the United States' first ever FIBA rules professional basketball league.

The American Basketball League will commence its inaugural 24 game season in January 2013 and will field a 12 team league set to challenge the recent economic and rather public failings of current minor league basketball organizations. Initial ABL markets include; San Antonio, San Marcos, Sugarland, College Station, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, West Palm Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Sebring, and Corpus Christi. Future expansion is scheduled for California, New York and Puerto Rico. Never before in American sports history has a professional league been developed for the purpose of operating as an international farm club, or feeder league, for global basketball.

Rellford, who played basketball collegiately at the University of Michigan, scored 1,211 points as one of the school's most popular and recognized figures. In 1986 he was drafted in the 5th round of the NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers and ultimately played the 1987/88 season as a member of the San Antonio Spurs. In addition to his NBA playing career, Rellford played over a decade in Europe, spending a distinguished career in Greece, Italy and Israel. Rellford's international accomplishments landed him in the FIBA Hall of Fame as one of the greatest American players ever to play in Europe.

"Richard Rellford is the type of basketball executive that will separate the ABL from other minor leagues" said ABL Founder Steve Haney "Not only is Richard a great basketball resource, he is as respected in the business community as much as any athlete I have ever worked with". Haney previously represented NBA Hall of Famers "Magic" Johnson and Dominique Wilkins.

"To be a part of bringing professional basketball to West Palm Beach is a dream come true" said Rellford "our mission is to offer a family oriented professional sports product that will have a positive impact upon the sports and economic communities of West Palm Beach".