Silver Bandits slash office staff

Steve Addy

Friday, May 26, 2000 | 10:25 a.m.

Layoffs are often a telltale sign that a struggling team is preparing to fold, but the Silver Bandits insist they will be back next season despite sweeping inter-office cutbacks.

Though the International Basketball League franchise laid off six full-time staffers this week, leaving only five in the front office, club president Mike Olson labeled the move an off-season staff reduction. He said the team is charging full-speed ahead under new owner Jackie Robinson.

"We're healthier than ever," Olson said. "We've just had an adjustment in staff because it's the off-season. (The Silver Bandits) are definitely going to be here next season."

Robinson, the former UNLV player, has been operating the team since late March, when the league relinquished ownership, but employees have continued to be paid by the IBL office in Baltimore. Starting June 1, Robinson will be responsible for staff salaries.

"The IBL no longer owns the team and is no longer cutting checks (after May 31)," Olson said. "From a technical standpoint, everyone has been laid off by the league, so it is a bookkeeping adjustment for us. Now it's up to Jackie to determine who will be brought back."

The layoffs, mostly from the sales and marketing department, came as news to the league office, however. IBL commissioner Art Cipriani didn't return a message seeking comment, but spokesman Mike Hardisky said he was not aware of the Bandits' cutbacks.

Hardisky would not speculate on the reason for the layoffs, but said, "The league is expecting Las Vegas to field a team next season."

After the cutbacks, the Bandits' front office is comprised of Olson, vice president Cindy Hays, communications director Tim Neverett and two ticket-sellers.

The Bandits put together a 37-27 record this season, good for third place in the West Division. They beat New Mexico 2-1 in the best-of-3 opening playoff round, but then lost 2-0 to St. Louis in the West finals.

Interim coach Barry Hecker, who took over for Rolland Todd with seven games left in the regular season, is expected to return. The Bandits went 6-6 under Hecker, including the playoffs. Olson said he hopes to wrap up negotiations with Hecker within three weeks.