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Florida Flame announce NBA team affiliations

September 20, 2005 - NBA G League (G League)
Florida Flame News Release


FORT MYERS, Fla., Sept. 20 - The National Basketball Association has announced that the Florida Flame, presented by Century 21 Sunbelt Realty, will be the NBA Development League affiliate of four NBA teams. The Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, and Minnesota Timberwolves will be directly affiliated with the Flame for the upcoming 2005-06 D-League season. All four teams will have the ability to assign players in their first two seasons to Florida and play in the NBA D-League.

"We are ecstatic about the announcement of affiliations with these four great, NBA organizations," said Florida Flame Managing Partner, Gary Fluharty. "The proximity of Miami and Orlando to the Southwest Florida area make the Heat and Magic ideal affiliates for the Flame, while the large numbers of Boston and Minnesota fans in this area make the Celtics and Timberwolves ideal affiliates as well. This will only make us stronger as we head into our second season. We expect to have some of the best players in the world here in Southwest Florida and the affiliated system will provide our fans and season ticket holders the ability to see players from their favorite NBA teams at Germain Arena this year and for many years to come."

An NBA team may assign any player on its active list or inactive list to play in the D-League, provided that the player has zero or one years of service at the time of assignment. No players may be given more than three assignments during any season and there is no minimum or maximum length of a D-League assignment. During the 2005-06 season, no NBA team may have more than two players on assignment at the same time and a player on assignment will be carried on the inactive list of his NBA team.

"We're excited about the opportunity to have a direct affiliation with the D-League and the Florida Flame," said Minnesota Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations, Kevin McHale. "I really believe that this will prove to be a win-win situation for everyone involved. Younger NBA players will have the opportunity to develop their skills in game situations in the very talented and competitive D-League. NBA teams will be able to develop talented players for the future while also trying to win in the present. Finally, D-League fans will benefit by having the exciting opportunity to watch even more potential NBA players and future stars right in their own backyard."

"The ability to potentially have some of our younger players develop through actual in-game experience is invaluable," said Orlando Magic Assistant General Manager, Otis Smith. "This affiliation can only be seen as a benefit to the players, our team and the Florida Flame."

The Flame open their 2005-06 D-League schedule on Friday, November 25 against the Roanoke Dazzle at Germain Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. EST.

"This is a very exciting time for the D-League and the NBA," said Flame Head Coach Jeff Malone. "The affiliation system will provide a true minor league structure and will be an excellent opportunity for these young NBA players to develop and return to the NBA with additional game experience. As a coach, I'm certainly looking forward to working with these players and organizations."

Florida Flame season ticket and group ticket packages are available by calling the Flame ticket office at 1-877-FLAME-TIX. Season ticket packages for all Flame home games at Germain Arena start as low as $120, with group ticket rates for groups of 20 or more starting at just $8 per ticket.

The NBA Development League includes the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Fayetteville Patriots (N.C.), Florida Flame (Ft. Myers), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Roanoke Dazzle (Va.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.).

The D-League offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA's umbrella. Thirty-four (34) players have been called up to the NBA on 50 separate occasions. Eleven (11) former D-League coaches, five athletic trainers, 11 referees and 29 front office executives have also been called up since the start of the league's inaugural season in November 2001.

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