The Utah Snowbears, who were to host an American Basketball Association semifinal game Monday — and possibly play for the league championship on Tuesday — will not finish their season.
Former Utah Jazzman Ike Austin, owner and head coach of the Snowbears said: "I have no choice but to cancel the rest of our 2004-05 Snowbears season. This is a sad, regrettable day that all of us wish could have been avoided."
The statement, e-mailed to local media by Derrick Pearson, director of media communications for the Snowbears, did not explain the reason but says Austin will answer questions Monday afternoon.
"I have decided that having the team play the remaining games under current ABA situations and circumstances would not be in the players' best interest or my own. . . . I'm proud to have been a part of the ABA, and I would like to thank everyone involved for providing Utah with such a wonderful season."
Austin led the Snowbears to a record of 27 wins and one loss, defeating Tijuana in the first round of the playoffs before dethroning two-time defending ABA champion Long Beach in the quarterfinals.