The International Basketball League was founded in early 1999 and made plans to begin play in fall of that year.

The first season did not quite meet expectations with attendance, but the league was still largely functional, with the Saint Louis Swarm winning the first championship.

Plans for the league to begin play were tentatively set for November 1997 with 10 unidentified franchise in the United States.

"[2] A two-day meeting was held in St. Louis, Missouri on January 19, 1999 with over 50 IBL owners, executives and advisers in attendance.

[3] On February 15, 1999 IBL president Thaxter Trafton announced the team would begin the season on November 26, 1999.