The Halifax Rainmen have dropped out of the American Basketball Association just one year after joining the league, the team owner announced at a news conference Wednesday.

Andre Levingston said the team would not take part in the upcoming playoffs in Quebec City. Instead, the team will apply to become part of another league, the development league affiliated with the National Basketball Association.

"After all the challenges we faced this year, it became obvious that the ABA is not the right league for the Halifax Rainmen. Our fans, our corporate partners, our season tickets holders and this city deserve better, and I will do everything I can to deliver," Levingston said.

"I am so thrilled to begin the process of negotiating to become an NBA developmental team. Tomorrow, we will start to assemble a task force of professionals to begin to make our case to present to the league as soon as possible."

Levingston said the team would stay in Halifax, even if it is not successful in getting into the NBA development league. He said he would explore "other options."

The American Basketball Association was plagued with problems, including no-shows for scheduled games. Last weekend, the Rainmen had to scramble to get the Atlanta Vision team to fill in when the scheduled opponent didn't show up for their last two home games.

The Rainmen had the highest attendance in the ABA this past year.