Akron leaving IBL for startup UBL
by Sam Amico
October 11, 2006 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Akron Cougars
The Akron Cougars made minor league basketball history Tuesday, when they announced they will become the first franchise to defect to the new Universal Basketball League.
The Cougars are leaving the International Basketball League after just one season (they played in nearby Cuyahoga Falls this past spring). They reached the decision to switch leagues at a team staff meeting Tuesday night.
The UBL, which was officially formed late last week, promises its franchises the lowest costs of any of the professional basketball leagues -- with an entry fee of just $2,000 and league fees of $15,000 per season.
Its teams will be located in mostly Midwestern states, such as Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
"Joining the UBL is more viable for us as an organization," said Cougars COO Dan Marek. "We feel like we're getting more for less. We like the regionalization and the fact it has a strong plan in place. And as an owner, I like the fact that myself and the other owners will be able to direct, so to speak, how the league operates."
The Cougars notified IBL commissioner Mikal Duilio of their decision to leave for the UBL via e-mail Tuesday night. A copy of the e-mail was sent to ProBasketballNews.com.
The UBL is based in Ohio and has a commissioner in place. League spokesmen told ProBasketballNews.com that the commissioner's name will be revealed and a league Web site will be launched within the next week. The UBL site will include contact information and answers to frequently asked questions. Until then, interested parties can contact the league office at ubl2007@aol.com.
"Common sense naturally dictates that we join the UBL," Marek said. "This is a business decision all the way. I'm just getting more for my money."
Duilio couldn't be reached for comment, as he was traveling Tuesday from IBL headquarters in Portland to Santa Barbara, Calif., to assist with that city's expansion team.
The UBL will go head-to-head with the IBL, with plans to tip off its first season in April and conclude with a four-team playoff in June. The IBL, entering its third year, runs from March through June. The United States Basketball League and World Basketball Association also operate during the spring and summer months.
"The minor league scene is a bit wild right now, with teams switching leagues and new (leagues) entering the picture," said one NBA scout who attends "close to 100" minor league games a year, but declined to be named. "This will be a very telling time in (minor league basketball), with the best leagues surviving and the rest falling by the wayside. If this UBL is for real, it has a business plan that makes the most sense. I think it could land a bunch of teams from the IBL and the USBL."
Along with assurances that each team will have to travel no further than five hours by bus, the UBL is promising a bonus of $200 for each player and coach on the championship team. It will use rules similar to the NBA -- with obvious differences being a 21-second shot clock and seven seconds to get the ball past halfcourt.
Sam Amico is the editor of ProBasketballNews.com. He can be reached at amico@probasketballnews.com.
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- Akron leaving IBL for startup UBL - OSC Original by Sam Amico
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