Bayi bounces out of CBA

End of an era as once-glorious military team disbands after 25 years of service

Chinese basketball fans are mourning the end of an era after the People's Liberation Army confirmed the withdrawal of its men's and women's squads from the country's top professional leagues.

After an embarrassing no-show for its season opener on Sunday against the Beijing Ducks, the Bayi Rockets, the CBA's only army-owned team, were officially disbanded after 25 years of service on Tuesday.

The Military Sports Training Center with the Central Military Commission's Training Management Department sent a letter to the CBA on Monday to confirm that the Rockets and its WCBA equivalent, the Bayi Kylin, will no longer compete in the league system.