Mikal Duilio says that, in general, minor-league basketball does not work. But he is convinced that his model can be successful.

And he plans on bringing it to Bend.

The International Basketball League, Duilio’s brainchild, will consist of 12 to 16 teams, including three from the Northwest: in Vancouver, Wash., Salem and Bend.

What sets the IBL apart from minor-league basketball ventures that have failed, according to Duilio, is reduced travel costs and a fast-paced, athletic, high-scoring brand of basketball.

Because teams are located in geographic clusters throughout the country, teams can drive to play other teams within their cluster. And when they do travel by air, they’ll play several games during one trip.

According to Duilio, commissioner of the IBL, two rules will make the league a more entertaining form of basketball: immediate inbounds and a limit of one timeout per quarter for each team. The defense will have less time to set up, giving the offense an advantage. Hence the IBL’s motto: ”More speed, more points, more entertainment.”

”The league is based on a model that is so efficient, that it should be around for a long time,” Duilio said. ”And Bend should be able to field a team for many years to come.”

Duilio and director of league operations, Tony Alvarez, are currently looking for potential owners of the Bend team. If they don’t find one, the IBL will own and operate the team itself, along with other investors.

Cost to own the rights to the team is $45,000, with $20,000 paid the first year and $5,000 each of the next five years, according to the IBL’s business plan. Also in the plan, the estimated total cost for the first year is about $85,000, with projected revenues of $91,000. Duilio anticipates those revenues to be nearly $126,000 for the Bend team.

Duilio projects that for an IBL team to break even financially, it will have to average 850 fans at its 10 home games. Tickets are expected to be priced at $6 or $7.

And what of the talent those paying customers can expect to see?

Duilio said that potentially eight of the 12 players on the Bend team could be from Central Oregon, describing a team with perhaps ”six guys who played Division I (college ball), two or three wild cards, and city league legends.”

The IBL will hold open tryouts for the Bend team, probably in early November, but specifics for tryouts and coaching opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks. There will likely be a tryout fee, ranging from $40 to $50, according to Duilio.

Duilio said the league is looking for quick, athletic, sharp-shooting players. Teams will be heavy on guards.

”There could be seven two-guards on a 12-man roster, with a starting lineup of four guards and one power forward,” Duilio said. ”Big men will get run right out of the game. Basketball is not meant to be gigantic and slow. Even if you don’t think you can make it, if you’re actually fast, and can shoot and hit open threes (three-pointers), you should show up. Small guards need to show up.”

Players will not get rich playing in the IBL. Actual salaries are decided by the owner, but Duilio said average compensation could be about $70 to $80 per game. Because of limited travel, players can hold other jobs, according to Duilio.

The IBL schedule is planned to start on April 8, 2005, and run through the end of June. The two top teams at the end of the regular season will face each other in a best-of-three playoff series. A more elaborate playoff schedule will be organized after the first year, Duilio said.

Other team cities projected for the IBL’s inaugural season include Akron, Ohio; Youngstown, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; Peoria, Ill.; Des Moines, Iowa; Waterloo, Iowa; Visalia, Calif.; Stockton, Calif., and Grand Rapids, Mich.

Potential home venues for the Bend team are still being explored, but Alvarez said possible sites include the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center in Redmond, as well as area high schools.

Duilio is convinced fans will love the IBL, which he bills as a fan-friendly, offensive-minded league with games taking about 1 hours to play and even including a disc jockey playing music.

In 13 ”test” exhibition games for the IBL, Duilio said teams’ scores averaged 120 points or more.

Duilio has significant experience at operating basketball leagues. For the past 12 years, he has been the owner and commissioner of PortlandBasketball .Com, a city league encompassing the entire Portland metro area. He said he has scheduled and organized 60,000 games, and that about 180 teams play year-round in the league.

Both Duilio and Alvarez are convinced that Central Oregon is the right market for minor-league basketball. Now they must sell the idea to potential owners and fans.

”I think people in Central Oregon love their basketball,” said Alvarez, who went to high school in Redmond. ”There’s not too many big entertainment drawers here. People will be within driving distance.”

Said Duilio: ”We think Bend will be an excellent place for fan enthusiasm and support. This league will change basketball. Everybody who watches will be impressed. We think Bend will take to it and be on the cutting edge.”

For more information, go to www.iblhoopsonline.com or call 866-425-4263.

Mark Morical can be reached at 383-0318 or mmorical@bendbulletin.com.