[legendsport]

June 22, 1948: New York, NY:

"Well, that could have gone better," Rollie Barrell remarked to his wife as he loosened his tie. The taxi ride back to the Waldorf after the press conference hadn't allowed Rollie enough time to fully process the chaos that had ensued after Daniel Prescott's dramatic entrance.

Francie harrumphed and commented, "No one ever said that Dan Prescott would go down without a fight, Roland." She was spot on, and Rollie knew it. Yet, the idea of expansion, especially in the wake of losing four top teams, was confounding. Prescott was many things, but crazy wasn't one of them.

"I don't think he can pull this off," Rollie opined. "Where's he going to find players?"

"Oh, there will be basketball enthusiasts in those new cities," Allie chimed in as she walked into the main room of the two-bedroom suite.

"No doubt," Francie agreed.

Rollie successfully removed his tie and tossed it onto the bed next to his jacket. "Sure, there will be players, but the cream of the crop is already signed, and the majority are with the Fed."

"True, but let's not underestimate the love for the game," Allie pointed out, perching herself cautiously on the bed's edge after a warning from Francie not to wrinkle her father's jacket.

With a foot of space between her and the jacket, Allie continued. "People will play, given the chance."

Rollie sensed a knock on the suite door.

He exchanged glances with Francie. The memories of that fateful night in a hotel room in New York, with Bigsby's enforcers searching for Joe Barrell, rushed back. It was a night that had forever altered Rollie's life, but that was long ago.

Francie frowned, and Allie appeared curious, wondering why her father hadn't opened the door yet.

A second knock came, and Bernie Millard's voice called out, "Rollie? Open up, I've got news."

Rollie raised an eyebrow and opened the door.

Millard entered the room in a bit of a disheveled state, his tie askew and hair ruffled. He clutched his familiar bowler hat, his grip twisting its brim.

"What news?" Rollie asked without delay.

"I returned to my room, and a messenger had delivered the ABC by-laws," Millard explained. Rollie wore a puzzled expression. Millard smirked and continued, "Well, I did buy an ABC franchise, and this was just some paperwork that got delayed."

Understanding dawned on Rollie. "And?" he prompted.

"It turns out," Millard revealed, "the rules governing the American Basketball Conference never considered the possibility of teams leaving the league without folding. This means that I, along with Bigsby, Williams, and Wright, retain voting rights. We can veto Prescott's expansion plan into the Midwest."

Rollie's thoughtful look led to a question. "But how can that be true? Didn't you forfeit your franchise rights when joining the FBL?"

Millard's face hardened, displaying a bulldog-like determination. "We haven't officially left yet. We'd need to file paperwork to exit the ABC, and none of us have done so. Until we do, we can deadlock any vote Prescott calls. Basketball season is months away, Rollie. We can make it nearly impossible for Prescott."

Rollie turned and began pacing. Francie and Allie had moved to the bed, his jacket now resting atop the pillows. They watched intently as Rollie mulled over the situation.

"We can leverage this," he finally suggested.

"That's why I'm here," Millard replied somewhat testily. "It's why I rushed over."

Rollie clarified, "You misunderstand. We can use this as leverage to bring all eight ABC clubs, including Prescott's, into the FBL."

Millard's eyes widened, and he shook his head. "Prescott would never agree to that, and honestly, I'm not sure we'd want him. He's a…" He hesitated when he glanced at Allie. "You know how I feel about that man."

Rollie was well aware of the animosity between Millard and Prescott, who each owned a baseball club in FABL's Continental Association. Their rivalry was bitter, and they collaborated only when it came to controlling their baseball players.

"All that's true," Rollie acknowledged, "but if we can bring Brooklyn on board..."

Millard's frown deepened, but Rollie knew he grasped the logic.

Rollie nodded, a faint smile on his face. "We can unite everyone under one umbrella. No more competing leagues... and salaries can be brought down," he trailed off, knowing that the prospect of salary control was Millard's primary concern, given the soaring costs in baseball due to the rival Great Western League, an entity Millard railed against constantly.

Millard still appeared hesitant, but the wheels were turning in his head.

Rollie suggested, "Let's get Prescott on the line."

Rollie went to the phone on the desk, dialed, and asked the hotel operator to connect him to the offices of the Prescott Bottling Company. He knew that's where Dan Prescott would be—Prescott had an office at Kings County Stadium, but he preferred working out of his bottling company office.

A moment later, Prescott's irritable voice growled, "What do you want, Barrell?"

Prescott's sour mood persisted as Rollie explained the situation. Millard joined the conversation on the other extension, asserting that he and the other three owners were prepared to block Prescott's expansion plan. Prescott could either lead the other three clubs—Richmond, Rochester, and Hartford—to join the FBL or find themselves in an untenable position.

"We could take this to court," Prescott threatened.

Rollie responded calmly, "Your own league by-laws don't address clubs leaving the league, Dan. Legally, there's nothing there."

Prescott argued, "Rules can be changed."

"True," Millard interjected, "but you'd still need the votes of all eight clubs."

After much grumbling, Prescott eventually conceded. He would discuss the situation with the owners of the other three clubs and didn't anticipate any significant opposition from them. Rollie figured the three smaller-market clubs would gladly embrace the opportunity to join a larger league, and it would also reduce their operating costs. In the end, the players would have just one choice if they wanted to play professionally.

"I don't like this, Rollie," Prescott admitted, "but you're right. This could end up being the best thing for all of us."

Rollie pumped his fist in the air, and Francie and Allie clapped their hands enthusiastically.

"Looks like the Federal Basketball League just doubled in size," Rollie declared.

Millard added with a smile, "And it's now the only game in town."

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