Japan's 'Bunnies' boiled by economic crisis 02/04/2009 |
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Japan's Seibu Prince Rabbits have disbanded and pulled out of the Asia Ice Hockey League (AIHL) due to financial problems, Japanese media reported on Wednesday.
The twice Asian champions were unable to maintain operations with attendances slumping amid an economic downturn, which already has claimed several big-name victims in Japanese sport.
Rabbits owners Prince Hotel said they had failed to find a buyer despite holding talks with more than 20 interested parties.
Seibu's departure leaves only six teams in the AIHL and none in Tokyo. Three of the remaining clubs are Japanese with two from South Korea, along with the Shanghai-based China Sharks.
Seibu's annual operating costs are estimated at around $5 million while the team attracts an average attendance of 1,000 fans per game.
Japanese sport has felt the bite of global financial crisis sharply with Japan's second largest carmaker Honda forced to withdraw from Formula One to cut costs last December.
Subaru and Suzuki subsequently pulled out of the world rally championship citing the global slump in car sales before Japanese bike maker Kawasaki scrapped its MotoGP team.
Japanese baseball and J-League soccer have also seen attendances drop off while Japan's national soccer team struggle to sell out stadiums for their games.
(Source: Reuters)
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