The International Basketball League (IBL) opened its
inaugural season on Friday with four games and THE DAILY
provides media reax from league markets:
HOOPS RETURNS TO CHARM CITY: The BayRunners hosted the
Shooting Stars in front of 9,000 "who filled" Baltimore
Arena, and the SUN's Brent Jones cited the "festive
atmosphere" during the game (Baltimore SUN, 11/27). The
AP's David Ginsburg wrote that pro basketball "returned to
Baltimore in grand style before a sellout crowd," as
BayRunners Minority Owner Cal Ripken Jr. and Ravens LB Ray
Lewis "participated in the ceremonial first tip" (AP,
11/26). In Baltimore, Ken Rosenthal wrote under the header,
"It's Early, But IBL Just Might Be A-OK." Rosenthal: "The
crowd was racially mixed, vocal and enthusiastic
throughout." Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke: "I think this
league [the IBL] is going to be very successful. Their
prices are such that they're going to bring families out"
(Baltimore SUN, 11/27). In previewing the league, the SUN's
Jones wrote that the IBL "has at least one advantage over
the CBA: IBL cities are in bigger markets." Jones: "Hoe
does the league plan to keep the arenas filled come
February, when the novelty has worn off?" IBL VP/
Basketball Operations George Blaney, on the IBL's "business
plan": "People can make money in this. ... We think we have
the ingredients to make it successful" (Balt. SUN, 11/25).
IN TRENTON: On Saturday, the Shooting Stars defeated
the BayRunners in their home debut before 3,491 fans at
Sovereign Bank Arena (Trenton TIMES, 11/28). In Trenton,
Harvey Yavener wrote that IBL players have "quasi-legitimate
dreams of moving up to the NBA." Yavener, on whether the
$522,000 salary cap is "money well-spent": "One quick look
says it probably is. Or will be" (Trenton TIMES, 11/28).
FROM OH & VA: In Cincinnati, Tim Sullivan wrote that
6,681 "curiosity-seekers" attended the Firstar Center on
Friday for the Rhythm-Stuff opener: "Cautious optimism would
be appropriate. Definitive declarations would be
premature." Sullivan: "IBL players are not nearly as
polished as NBA stars, but the show is reasonably slick ...
and the play is pretty competitive" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER,
11/27). In Richmond, Bob Lipper wrote on the Rhythm's home
opener Saturday against the Swarm and noted that the 5,524
fans "witnessed ... minor-league basketball at its, well,
minor leaguest. The action was helter-skelter and the
shooting generally horrid" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 11/28).
7,000 IN ST. LOUIS: The Slam-Swarm game on Friday at
the Family Arena drew 7,023 fans (POST-DISPATCH, 11/27).
OTHER MARKETS: In Las Vegas, Matt O'Brien reported that
an "enthusiastic" crowd of 5,844 fans attended Friday's
Silver Bandits opener at the Thomas & Mack Center (REVIEW-
JOURNAL, 11/27). Also in Las Vegas, Joe Hawk wrote that the
Silver Bandits franchise "isn't all that bad. Actually, it
shows considerable promise." Hawk, on the IBL: "Fans ...
enjoyed what they got: fast-paced basketball and just enough
ancillary entertainment so as not to result in sensory
overload" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 11/27). In San Diego,
John Titchen reported that the Stingrays "have sold more"
than 4,000 season tickets, "most of them before they" signed
Percy "Master P" Miller (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 11/26).
