After the successful of IBB Hotels Menorca Basquest ascend from the second Spanish National Basketball league LEB to the league of honour, the ACB , also the financial requirements of the Basketball Association have been met by the Government of the Balearic Islands.
One of the requirements to play in the highest national league, the best Basketball League in Europe and second best in the world after the NBA of the United States, is to pay up an entrance fee of Euro 4.500.000 to the National Spanish Basketball Association. This important sum has been paid by the Government of the Baleares in order to secure the place for IBB Hotels Menorca Basquet, a place it deserves as of the next season given the restless support of the local fans and the whole Menorquin society and the tremendous Basketball played.
It was the last day the club was able to come up with the funds, otherwise the place would have possibly been given to two clubs who have either descended or were the runner-up after IBB Hotels Menorca Basquet in the LEB League. In both instances, Bank guarantees had already been deposited with the National Association of Basketball by both teams to secure their place in ACB, in case IBB Hotels Menorca Basquet would have failed to make such payment on time.
At the same time will the Government of the Baleares, the local government of Menorca as well as the Town Hall of Mahón build a new Basketball Stadium with a capacity of not less than 5.000 spectators, another minimum requirement to play in the first league.
On a sad note, this very important contribution of the Government was only possible by reducing the support for the “Illes Baleares” professional cycling team (Indurain etc.) from Euro 7.000.000 to Euro 2.500.000 in 2006.
IBB Hotels want to congratulate the president of Menorca Basquet, Mr José Luis Sintes and his team of having achieved the impossible within only 14 days, since IBB Hotels Menorca Basquet won the last game of the play-offs against Leon and automatically qualified for the ACB League. IBB Hotels is grateful and pround to be strongly connected with Menorca Basquet and it’s the most successful year in the history of the club and Baleares Basketball as such, as never ever a team from the Balearic Island played in the premier league ACB.
IBB Hotels together with its partner Llanera will now enter into the negotiations and talks with the Club with respect to IBB Llanera’s involvement in 2005/2006 and is determined to support the club as in the past.
For more information please click on the following links of the press:
http://www.ultimahora.es/segunda.dba?-1+9+0
http://www.menorca.info/20050615/deportes/1deportes.html
http://www.menorca.info/20050615/deportes/2deportes.html
www.menorcabasquet.com
www.ibbhotels.com