Eugene officially out

[besl]

Pounder called this move months ago, but the Eugene Chargers have officially been removed from the active teams portion of the IBL website and all the other teams that had games scheduled against them have had their schedules adjusted.

This leaves 17 teams in the IBL for 2008, not counting the "USA All-Stars" exhibition squad. With five new transfer/expansion teams, this means only 12 of the 22 teams from 2007 are returning. That doesn't seem to be a very good percentage in my opinion.

The IBL season officially tips off in one week on March 1 with an Snohomish County exhibition game, and the regular season starts a week later on March 8 when Bellingham visits Snohomish County.

[bballnut]

The IBL is still the best deal for owners money wise, but it cost more to be competative now. With teams like Gary, and Elkart paying players like the USBL did, paying players $50.00 a game will not keep you competative anymore. This league has taken a step up, so must owners. If you don't have the horses you won't win the race. Owners will have to pay these guys. You must be competative to stay in business. Halftime shows are not enough to keep fans coming. Fans want to follow a winning team. If owners can't afford the leage, then it is best for them to move on. Don't allow teams that are have money problems stay in the league. This distroys the integrity of the league. Players need to be paid and game need to be played. With the teams that are retuning, this league has a firm foundation.

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL INVOLVED IN THE IBL. THEY ARE TRYING VERY HARD TO DO THINGS RIGHT.

[mammal]

The IBL is the best spring/summer league around. The commish is solid and so are the owners. The IBL may have fewer teams than last year, but the current crop of teams/owners are very solid.
The IBL does try to do things the correct way. They are not like the ABA which only cares about how many teams it has, not the quality of teams.
The level of play and officiating has been better every year.

[Pounder]

Isn't it the ONLY spring/summer league around?

Solid? Is Everett errrrr Snohomish County the truly solid team out west? MONROE?

I don't like the juju here... of course, I'm hard pressed to like the juju in anyone else's minor pro league. It's probably six of one, half dozen of the other.

[preeths]

Bellingham's a solid IBL team in the West.

[Shootmaster_44]

At least thus far it seems Edmonton is a solid franchise and they too are in the West. However, I guess its hard to judge an expansion franchise.

I'm still unclear whether this is the same team as the Edmonton Sled Dogz or not. If that's the case then the ownership might not be as solid as it seems. Especially in light of the evidence the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix dredged up about the ownership group when they tried to start the Saskatoon team.

[MJHankel]

on that same note, the L.A. Lightning look like they are operating things at a higher level, but who knows what they will ultimately be like on the court.

[bballnut]

L.A. has the money, and the players are out there. I think they will be very good. Thanks for your players USBL. It's great for the IBL.