The Sports Life

Alexis Levi - First African American Woman Owner, CEO and General Manager of a Professional Basketball Team

LAS VEGAS, NV (PRWeb) February 22, 2007 -- Young African American woman Alexis Levi purchased a professional basketball franchise, and settled her International Basketball League (IBL) Expansion Team - the Las Vegas Stars - in Las Vegas, Nevada. To coach her team to greatness, owner, general manager and CEO Levi hired George Tarkanian, son of former UNLV head basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian. Also a Sports Agent Advisor for Sports Management Worldwide, Levi is quite comfortable in professional sports management ― a profession generally populated by men. She is an astute, results-oriented leader with proven successes managing multi-million dollar organizations and business operations.

Levi states, "We are going to work closely with the City of Las Vegas to build a great semi-professional team. We want very much to work with Mayor Oscar Goodman and the Maloof brothers to secure a measurable model confirming audience dedication and corporate support." She continued, "We hope the NBA and Commissioner Stern will see a viable basketball program, as well as a future opportunity for the NBA. Since taking ownership, we have received calls of interest from the NBA, NBDL, CBA and some international teams."

The Las Vegas Stars' inaugural season kicks off with a road trip to face the Phoenix Flame on Friday, April 6, 2007 at Arizona Veteran's Memorial Coliseum. To ensure ample preparedness for its first season, the team hosted tryouts in the U.S. and internationally, providing players from throughout the world an opportunity to show their stuff. Still recruiting to fill the remainder of the Star's open positions, the team will announce its roster in March. "I am extremely excited to begin coaching in the professional ranks," said Coach Tarkanian. "We are working hard to build a team of which the southern Nevada community will be proud."

The Stars' home opener is Thursday, April 19 versus the Colorado Crossover. The team will play its home games at Stations Sports Complex; the team has arranged to increase seating capacity on game days, and will offer fans valet parking. Levi's team will host 12 home games at the Las Vegas Station Sports Complex before approximately 2,500 fans. NBC affiliate KVBC will televise some home games. Fans may also view games on Internet Sports Channel Pay2ViewTV.com.

"We are pleased and honored to bring an IBL team to Las Vegas," said Levi. "We anticipate strong support from the community because the people of Las Vegas love professional basketball." She continued, "Of course, it is not only our goal to make it to the playoffs in our first year, but to win the championship as well." The Stars will also strive to help lay the foundation to one day bring an NBA team to Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Stars invite corporate and organizational sponsorship and support. Entities interested in partnering with the sure-to-be first-rate Las Vegas Stars are encouraged to contact team national marketing associate Mitchell Adams 702-216-2966.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE (IBL):
The International Basketball League is a third-year professional men's basketball league. Consisting of 25 teams across the U.S., the IBL follows NBA rules with a few exceptions: 1.) five fouls per player, 2.) 22-second shot clock, 3.) an immediate inbounds, and 4.) Only one timeout per quarter. These rules reduce dead time leads to a faster and more entertaining game. The result is an athletic game that is very fun to watch.

IBL scoring average per team in its first two seasons was over 126 points per game. The IBL has designed team ownership rules to enable affordability. The IBL expects to grow to 32 teams in 2007--including expansion teams in Buffalo, Los Angeles, and St. George (Utah), among others.

IBL owners get very efficient schedules; owners are guaranteed a maximum of one trip that requires air travel. This schedule efficiency means that once a team is founded, that team will survive and then thrive. For IBL photos, videos, and information, please visit the league website www.iblhoopsonline.com.

PRESS CONTACT
Toni Beckham
408-499-3664

LAS VEGAS STARS CONTACT
702-216-2966

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