Tombstone
Formed: 1999
Disbanded: July 2001
First Game: November 26, 1999
Last Game: May 14, 2001
Seasons: 2
States : 14
(California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia)
Leadership
President:
- 1999-2001: Thaxter Trafton
Attendance
Trophy Case
Background
The IBL was a brief attempt to established a nationwide second-tier pro basketball league in the late 1990’s. Unlike its main rival – the established but perpetually struggling Continental Basketball Association (CBA) – the IBL placed its franchises primarily in Major League markets, such as Baltimore, Cincinnati, Saint Louis and San Diego.
During the IBL’s second season in the winter of 2000-01, the league held merger talks with the floundering CBA. Before an agreement could be reached, the CBA went out of business in midseason. The IBL immediately absorbed five smaller-market CBA clubs (Gary, Grand Rapids, Hartford, Rockford, Sioux Falls) and re-worked the remainder of its schedule to incorporate the refugees. But the IBL had its own problems and folded after the end of its second season. The five former CBA clubs survived by re-launching a new version of their old league.
International Basketball League Franchise List
| FRANCHISE | YEARS ACTIVE | IBL CHAMPIONS |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore BayRunners | 1999-2000 | Never |
| Cincinnati Stuff | 1999-2001 | Never |
| Connecticut Pride | 2001 | Never |
| Gary Steelheads | 2001 | Never |
| Grand Rapids Hoops | 2001 | Never |
| Las Vegas Bandits | 2000-2001 | Never |
| Las Vegas Silver Bandits | 1999-2000 | Never |
| New Mexico Slam | 1999-2001 | Never |
| Richmond Rhythm | 1999-2001 | Never |
| Rockford Lightning | 2001 | Never |
| St. Louis Swarm | 1999-2001 | 2000 & 2001 |
| San Diego Stingrays | 1999-2000 | Never |
| Sioux Falls Skyforce | 2001 | Never |
| Trenton Shooting Stars | 1999-2001 | Never |
International Basketball League Shop
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