League Owner Isiah Thomas wanted to sell the teams back to local groups, so
the league fille dfor bankruptcy.
CBA
was suspended
- Jan.9, 2001
Teams of the cash-strapped Continental Basketball Association scrambled Friday to pin down their options for survival. Some simply called it quits.
The league suspended play Thursday, less than a week after eight of the 10 teams failed to meet player payrolls.
"In my opinion, the CBA as a league is gone," said Bill Ilett, former majority owner of the Idaho Stampede.
The Sioux Falls (S.D.) Skyforce and the Gary (Ind.) Steelheads both said Friday that they have joined the International Basketball League and will play each other Saturday in Sioux Falls, IBL vice president Greg Burke said. He expects other teams to follow.
"We would welcome any teams that would like to join us," Burke said.
Reportedly at least $1.5-million in debt, the CBA's value plummeted when the NBA decided to operate its own developmental league rather than relying on the CBA. The NBA had extended its partnership through the current season - the 55th for the CBA.
Isiah Thomas, the former NBA star who is now head coach of the Indiana Pacers, bought the CBA in 1999 for slightly more than $9-million. The NBA ordered him to sell the CBA before next season's training camp.
Thomas personally advanced funds to pay the players through their last games, the league said. A message left for Thomas with the Pacers was not immediately returned Friday.
Some former owners were thrilled to have an opportunity to buy back their franchises.
But Otis Harlan said he doesn't want the Yakima (Wash.) Sun Kings back, even though they won the league championship last season and in 1994-95.
Sun Kings general manager Rich Austin has declared everyone in the team's operation a free agent.
"It's a shame that after 11 years in Yakima . . . it came to this," Austin told the Yakima Herald-Republic.
The Rockford (Ill.) Lightning suspended operations indefinitely Friday until former team owner Wayne Timpe decides if he wants to buy the team back. A decision was expected by Saturday.
Two former owners of the Skyforce, Roger Larsen and Greg Heineman, said they acquired the Skyforce in return for assuming the team's debts and expenses for the rest of the year, the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Argus Leader reported.
CBA
All-Star Teams NATIONAL CONFERENCE ALL-STARS First Team: David Vanterpool, guard, Yakima, 21 votes; Sharif Fajardo, center, Idaho, 20; Jamel Thomas, forward, Quad City, 20; Isaac Fontaine, guard, La Crosse, 19; Chris Garner, guard, Quad City, 17. Second Team: Rosell Ellis, forward, Yakima, 16; Bryant Smith, guard, Sioux Falls, 13; Jamal Robinson, forward, Sioux Falls, 12; Darren McLinton, guard, Idaho, 11; Randy Livingston, guard, Idaho, 8.
Coach: Rory White, Yakima. AMERICAN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS First Team: Sean Colson, guard, Grand Rapids, 20; Antonio Lang, forward, Fort Wayne, 19; Courtney James, forward, Gary, 16; Kirk King, center, Connecticut, 16; Donny Marshall, forward, Connecticut, 16. Second Team: Artie Griffin, guard, Fort Wayne, 14; B.J. McKie, guard, Connecticut, 13; Tony Smith, guard, Rockford, 13; Brandon Williams, guard, Rockford, 13; Ira Bowman, guard, Connecticut, 12.
Coach: Tyler Jones, Connecticut.
1. Ryan Blackwell
drafted by Gary
2. Jason Hart
drafted by Idaho
3. Brian Cardinal drafted by La Crosse
4. Malik Allen drafted by Ft.Wayne
5. Johnny Hemsley drafted by Grand Rapids
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