TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — After winning the PLG+ championship, New Taipei Kings Chairman Walter Wang (王文祥) held a press conference on Saturday (June 22) announcing talks to form a new basketball league that will merge PLG+ with the T1 professional basketball league.
“We are about to form a new league and have obtained letters of intent from nine teams in PLG+ and T1,” said Wang. He also surprised many in the audience that one team could come from Southeast Asia, rounding out a league with 10 teams, per CNA.
Talks between PLG+ and T1 have been in the works for many years and are now in the final stages. However, two holdouts from PLG+ remain: Fubon Braves and Taoyuan Pauian Pilots.
Wang said a merger is needed to increase the competitiveness of Taiwan’s professional basketball as well as assist the long-term domestic development of the sport. Wang noted the merger will provide more resources for both teams and athletes and take the new basketball league to the next level.
Sports Administration Director-General Cheng Shih-Chung (鄭世忠) supported the potential merger between the two leagues. Cheng said such an alliance would be a boost for local basketball players as well as basketball fans.
T1 League Secretary-General Wang Chih-chun (王志群) said a meeting amongst TI teams to discuss the merger will take place on Wednesday (June 26). Wang said a unanimous decision would be needed by T1 teams to approve a merger to form a new league.