Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000 | 10:34 a.m.
The proposed merger between the International Basketball League and ABA 2000 was nullified Tuesday after the two leagues could not agree on several financial and other issues.
On Monday, each of the six IBL teams and eight ABA 2000 teams were supposed to pay an undisclosed merger fee in the low six-figure range, but ABA 2000 said it was not going to ante up.
The IBL then agreed to accept a letter of credit for each of the proposed eight ABA 2000 teams instead of the money, but the ABA refused again.
"Unfortunately the ABA teams were not willing to meet those requirements," Las Vegas Bandits president/general manager Mike Olsen said. "I don't think the ABA league officials were really sure and still maybe (are) unsure of which of their teams are playing.
"We've suspected all along a couple of those teams weren't ready to go this season."
In question are the ABA 2000 teams scheduled to play in Chicago, Indianapolis and San Diego. The Chicago franchise hasn't named a coach, set a roster or named any players. In Indianapolis the operation is behind in hiring a staff and setting up the franchise and San Diego is having similar problems.
The proposed merger between the second-year IBL and the first-year ABA 2000 was announced on Nov. 21.
As late as Monday afternoon, the Bandits included the news of the merger in their media bulletin. Olsen did not rule out the possibility of a future merger.
"Obviously we're not happy about it," Olsen said. "We were very excited about having more teams in the league and strengthening the league.
"We've decided to move forward with our schedule. That is not to say the door is closed. If they want to get their league together, we are open to discussion."
The two leagues were supposed to play an integrated 56-game schedule with the Bandits opening their season on Saturday at Trenton. Instead, the Bandits will start their season on Saturday at St. Louis.
The date of the team's first home game has not been changed, only the opponent. Instead of playing Los Angeles of the ABA, the Bandits will host Richmond Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Philosophical differences also quashed the merger.
From the start, the intent of the IBL has been to be a developmental league for the NBA while ABA 2000 has tried to market itself as an alternative to the NBA with perhaps unrealistic plans to challenge the world's best basketball league head-on.
This difference halted talks between the two leagues about merging almost nine months ago and the issue recently put more distance between them.
"Yesterday they began to raise that argument with us that killed discussions months ago," Olsen said. "When we announced the merger, they had conceded to our view of being a developmental league, but changed their minds again.
"They believe that they can compete head-to-head with the NBA. We have never wanted that or believed that was even possible. They believe they are going to offer such an exciting brand of basketball that they can compete with the NBA. We believe we are here to serve a purpose that we can be a training ground for players, coaches, referees and have them move on to the next level, to the NBA."
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