IBL CEO Ralph Rossi Jr. has purchased controlling shares of the league from Founder & Majority Partner Art Cipriani. Financial terms were not disclosed. Rossi is also the CEO of Net Ten Sports, an investment firm specializing in sports-related business investments (IBL). LEAGUE CUTS: In Baltimore, Kent Baker reports that with a "last-ditch effort to find new investors failing," the BayRunners "will suspend play" for "at least" the 2000-01 season. The San Diego Stingrays are also "missing from last season's cast" of eight teams. The season opens on December 8 with six teams. IBL Dir of PR Mike Hardisky, on the BayRunners: "We were hopeful we could get last-minute ownership. Until we get a viable owner, the BayRunners won't play." Orioles 3B Cal Ripken Jr., who owns 10% of the team, had "consented to purchase the remaining" 90% from the league on the contingency that additional investors "were secured." But Baker writes that because the IBL "was unable to find the funding, Ripken's obligation was voided." Ripken adviser John Maroon said Ripken "is confident the [IBL] can have a future here. But venue plays a big role. He feels a smaller arena, ... might be more viable" (Balt. SUN, 11/16). In San Diego, Mark Zeigler cites sources as saying that the Stingrays "leave behind" $300,000 of debt, including "close to" $50,000 owed to Cox Communications, which televised their games (S.D. UNION-TRIBUNE, 11/16).
