Elkhart loses the IBL

[SignGuyDino]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/2009-01-05-225074567_x.htm


Another story:

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090105/SPORTS12/901050330/1001/Sports

Seriously, how much trouble is the IBL in?

[besl]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/2009-01-05-225074567_x.htm


Another story:

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090105/SPORTS12/901050330/1001/Sports

Seriously, how much trouble is the IBL in?

Well that's probably the only time the IBL will be mentioned in USA Today.

To answer your question, though, I think the IBL is really in serious trouble only in the Midwest. I'm not even sure there are enough teams out there now to even make a Midwest division worthwhile. Besides Chicago, Holland, and Grand Rapids, who else is there?

I think the IBL is still in pretty good shape in the West. Most of the teams out west have been running on a shoestring for a while and I would imagine would be able to continue to do so. I think as long as the economy continues to suck, it would behoove the IBL to stick to a solid cluster of teams in the Northwest. Then once things better, they can try to expand their footprint a bit.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Well that's probably the only time the IBL will be mentioned in USA Today.

To answer your question, though, I think the IBL is really in serious trouble only in the Midwest. I'm not even sure there are enough teams out there now to even make a Midwest division worthwhile. Besides Chicago, Holland, and Grand Rapids, who else is there?


There is also Elgin again in 2009 and Gary back in 2010.

[winds55]

http://www.etruth.com/Know/Sports/Story.aspx?ID=471660

It's a sad day for Elkhart - especially sad that most in town don't seem to realize what they're losing.

[one way]

Beathea said he had recently been exploring the possibility of offering alcohol sales to stimulate revenue, but said he understands why Elkhart Community Schools would not be able to sign off on such an arrangement.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Beathea said he had recently been exploring the possibility of offering alcohol sales to stimulate revenue, but said he understands why Elkhart Community Schools would not be able to sign off on such an arrangement.

Alcohol sales (or the lack thereof) can make or break an organization. I know of a sports organization that makes 25% to 40% on every beer sold. Alcohol sales keep them in business and keep them profitable.

[SignGuyDino]

I think that's a weak cop-out, though. ANY sports team that plays in a high school gym knows in advance it cannot sell alcohol.

Oh, get this, got a PR today saying that a team in Japan will tour the midwest to play. Will there be any teams left?

[Sam Hill]

http://www.etruth.com/Know/Sports/Story.aspx?ID=471660

It's a sad day for Elkhart - especially sad that most in town don't seem to realize what they're losing.

If 12-14 percent of the citizenry are out of work, I'd say they have bigger things to worry about.

And if most in town don't realize what they're losing, well, that's part of the whole deal, innit? One big reason why they're no longer?

[homeboypla]

I said this over 8 months ago.. I can also tell you that the IBL sucks less then ABA still and that as long as the SLAM and Explosion are playing in the League the League will be fine.

These two organizations alone bring enough Excitement at the games and seem to have a very completive rivalry. The Explosion bring in a new coach that will be a huge factor to watch the games to see how he does against the legendary coach with the SLAM.

Vancouver BC looks solid and the Vancouver Washington team is looking strong so forget about the East the West is all that matters since the East were shown how weak they are against the top teams in the West during the Championship game anyways.

[winds55]

I said this over 8 months ago.

What you said, fool, was that the Express would leave the IBL because of the IBL management. Quite different from reality - as usual. And honey, ONE game does not show that an entire division is weak against another division. It was ONE game with TWO teams - not even a best of 5 or 3.

[MJHankel]

Not to mention, some good teams owners made them sit out. So comparing the east teams with the west teams is flawed on mant levels.

[mammal]

The IBL is just fine. Probably the best it's ever been financially. Is losing Elkhart a shame, of course, but it's not going to make or break the league. Maybe they didn't manage their $$$ well? That's not the leagues fault. Teams still get their one flight guarantee, all games will be played, etc. The league is strong. The talent keeps getting better every year. Minor league sports is a brutal business. We should be impressed the league is a strong as it is and still very viable going into year #6. Can't say the same about the ABA, CBA, USBL, WBA, etc.