Basketball League Shows Interest in Pond

The International Basketball League might place a franchise at the Arrowhead Pond this fall, the second minor league to express interest in launching a professional basketball team at the arena.

ABA 2000, a proposed revival of the American Basketball Assn., also wants one of its franchises at the Pond. Mike O’Donnell, assistant general manager of the Pond, said he has talked with representatives of both leagues for weeks but said no lease agreement has been reached.

No more than one team would play at the Pond, O’Donnell said.

In the absence of a lease agreement with either league, he said, several prime weekend dates have been reserved for concerts and shows. Pond executives are evaluating the business prospects for both leagues.

“We hope we get to play basketball here,” O’Donnell said, “but we have to make sure there’s a viable product for our community.”

The IBL completed its first season in May, with eight teams, and plans to return in November with nine. Two groups are bidding to buy the San Diego franchise--the team for which rap star Master P played--from the league, IBL spokesman Mike Hardisky said.

One group, headed by former UNLV player and Las Vegas businessman Jackie Robinson, would move the franchise to Anaheim, Hardisky said. Robinson did not return a call seeking comment. The IBL could also place an expansion team in Anaheim, Hardisky said.

ABA 2000 and the IBL have discussed a merger but failed to reach agreement. ABA 2000, including proposed franchises in Anaheim and Los Angeles, hopes to start play in December.