New Bandits owner will use Tark as model

Victoria Sun

Thursday, March 30, 2000 | 10:15 a.m.

Former UNLV basketball player Jackie Robinson says he will employ a philosophy backed by former UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian when he attempts to generate more support for the Las Vegas Silver Bandits of the International Basketball League.

"What Tark did when he coached here was brilliant," Robinson said on Wednesday at a press conference. "There wasn't much support for us so he told us that we had to get out into the community and be involved.

"We went to visit sick people in hospitals and did a lot of things to show that we cared. Then the people started to care about us. That's what we want to do now."

Robinson, the chief executive officer of RLW Inc., purchased 90 percent of the Silver Bandits franchise from the IBL for a reported $1.5 million to become the majority owner. The other 10 percent will be owned by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

"The deal is done and the paperwork is complete," Robinson said.

Robinson will run the team with help from former Rebels Michael Loyd and Flintie Ray Williams. NBA analyst and former Rebel Reggie Theus will also hold a position with the team.

The league has owned the franchise since the season started in November because local ownership could not be found.

Robinson said he considered purchasing the team in December.

"Being out of basketball, I never thought I'd have the opportunity to get back in it," Robinson said. "This provided a good opportunity."

Robinson's company owns and manages 67 Pizza Hut restaurants and retail stores at McCarran International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport.

Silver Bandits head coach Rolland Todd is pleased with the new owners.

"It'll definitely help having them aboard," Todd said. "People do remember and support ex-UNLV players here.

"Besides, these are people who have done well and proven themselves in business. They're not just a bunch of guys that got together out of nowhere to do this."

Robinson said he will sit down with Todd after the season to reevaluate the coaching position.

"Coach Todd has done a tremendous job," Robinson said. "I think we'd be hard pressed not to have someone who, if we win the championship, come back next year.

"I think right now the team operations are being run fine. Everyone is doing a fine job."

To help boost attendance, Robinson plans on selling groups of tickets to local businesses and urging them to donate the tickets to urban kids.

He also hopes there will be three to four former Rebels on the team's roster in the future.