IBL goes global with Asian Expansion Department

February 15, 2008 - International Basketball League (IBL) News Release


Portland, OR-The International Basketball League is gearing up for what will undoubtedly be the league's biggest season in 2008. The IBL's most significant change heading into its fourth season is the recent addition of its Asian Expansion Department, which has resulted in the addition of a team from China joining the IBL for the 2008 season. The IBL will also add its first Japanese team in 2009, in addition to an expected second Chinese team. IBL Commissioner Mikal Duilio - "Having the IBL make this type of progress with respect to becoming a genuinely international league is tremendously exciting. The response from our owners has been fantastic, and I think the intrigue associated with international play will really energize our fans as well."

Having teams from other nations join the league will not change the IBL's core principles of offering owners the most efficient opportunity to run a team (relative to the minor league basketball industry) while providing fans with an up-tempo, high energy brand of basketball. The league's commitment to efficiency makes the IBL a uniquely viable option for teams from overseas to join- "having our teams in geographic clusters enables the IBL to offer our owners a guarantee of one flight per season" said Duilio. "The Asian teams receive the same guarantee (1 flight); an Asian team can come to the U.S. and play all of their away games within one flight."

The first Asian team on board, the Shanxi Kylins, is a team in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). The CBA has produced NBA superstar Yao Ming, and Yi Jianlian-the number six overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. The Kylins will play a full 20 game IBL schedule; the Chinese team will house and be based at one of the premier basketball training facilities in the world- the United States Basketball Academy in Oregon.

The Kylins will join the Edmonton Chill (Alberta, Canada) and Vancouver British Columbia as the IBL's first international teams following suit in 2009. IBL Commissioner Duilio "the IBL's two features-extreme efficiencies in scheduling and fast paced play have worked for us over the past three years but adding this new feature- true international play and the intrigue therein-is really the IBL's future".

About the International Basketball League Asian Expansion Department:

David White, Director of Asian Expansion. White lived in Shanghai, China from 2000-2003 while studying Chinese at Shanghai International Studies University. White later helped American Piledriving Equipment Inc. expand into China and was involved in several government projects that included driving the largest piles in the world. White played four years of college basketball-"I have a passion for Chinese language and culture," said White, further-"I am very excited to be a part of the IBL campaign to expand into Asia".

Sadachika Yoshioka, Director of Japanese Relations. Yoshioka currently resides in London, but lived in Japan and Canada while working for the world's leading financial institution for more than 17 years. Yoshioka has various basketball relationships including contacts with the Japanese Basketball League (JBL). "I would be very excited to see the IBL and the JBL form a relationship in the near future."

Eric Cuadra, Director of Philippines Relations. Eric is the Founder/CEO of Marqui Athletics footwear & apparel. Cuadra is also involved in senior showcase basketball camps. Cuadra is a sponsor with the Harlem Starz exhibition travel team and X-Over Streetball travel team (NYC). Cuadra has contacts in the Filipino community in Vancouver, British Columbia, Seattle, Portland and Manila, Philippines.

The IBL's fourth season tips off in March of 2008.

Visit the IBL web site at www.IBLhoopsOnline.com.



International Basketball League Stories from February 15, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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