La Crosse Center board meets today to discuss ABA basketball team

La Crosse Showtime could start in fall

Since the Bobcats went out of business 15 years ago, the La Crosse Center has unsuccessfully attempted to re-establish minor league basketball as a regular attraction. 

At a meeting today, the Center board will discuss giving basketball another try in hosting an ABA team called the La Crosse Showtime. 

The league granted owner Scott Pooler a franchise in October and he wants to be more than just a team.

“We really want them to be a part of (the community), get them involved,” Pooler said. “Being part of this city, whether that be youth activities – some basketball camps for the young people.

If the board approves, the Showtime would begin in the fall – the same time the Milwaukee Bucks hope to begin its D-League affiliate, which La Crosse lost out on.

And, that’s unfortunate, because La Crosse has always supported basketball.

“It wasn’t the fans that took basketball out of the city of La Crosse,” Pooler, a staffer with the Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau school district, said. “It was the ownership groups and the leagues that were here. The city has been very supportive and I think they’ll be supportive of this team, as well.”