Plans for a new four-player, men's pro basketball
league called the "4-BALL LEAGUE" have been announced by a
group of veteran basketball execs, according to GOULD
MEDIA's TV SPORTSFILE. The eight-team league would have a
40-game season between June and August and consist of
Eastern and Western conferences that play a short playoff
schedule similar to that of the WNBA. Players will come
from college, Europe and the CBA and be paid between $25,000
and $35,000. League founder Rob Ryder: "We are exploring
several cities and the final team locations will be
determined by mid-sized arena availability in the largest
television markets." Other partners include former
TrailBlazers and Clippers VP Harvey Frankel and former Heat
Exec VP/GM Dave Wohl. Ryder: "In no way, shape or form are
we trying to compete with the NBA, but we hope to be a
developmental league for younger players." Ryder added that
the league has already "secured financing contingent on a TV
deal" that is being developed, and has about a "60-40
chance" of beginning play next summer (GOULD MEDIA, 11/11).
