The newly formed league, which was to include a team in Augusta called the Raging River, originally intended to begin its inaugural season in 2008. Tuesday’s announcement will mark the second season the league has cancelled.

Jenkins said the two main reasons for shutting down are the current state of the economy and the poor reputation other minor league basketball teams have left in USBA markets.

“It’s not that we don’t have the money to do this thing,” he said. “I have to distance myself from what’s happening with these other leagues. Other towns are lumping us in with what these other teams have done.”

Jenkins said the league will return in 2010 with teams in 15 markets.

“We are going to be back next year,” he said. “No question about it.”