Tulsa 66ers announce NBA affiliations
September 19, 2005 - NBA G League (G League)
Tulsa 66ers News Release
TULSA, Okla. September 19, 2005 - The National Basketball Association announced today its new affiliation and assignment system for the NBA Development League. Under this system, the Tulsa 66ers will be directly affiliated with four NBA teams -- the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and the New Orleans Hornets.
"We are excited about the NBA announcement affiliating the D-League teams. This is a great opportunity for both organizations and the players to benefit from," said Joe Berry, Tulsa 66ers team president. "Not only will the D-League get caliber players coming directly from the NBA, but the NBA will get rising stars out of the D-League."
In accordance with the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in June, NBA teams are permitted to assign players during their first two NBA seasons to the D-League. The assignment provides younger players in the NBA an opportunity to develop their skills during actual in-game experiences while continuing to receive their NBA salaries and benefits.
"This is another step in the right direction to assist in the continuing development of players," said Stu Jackson, NBA Senior Vice President, Basketball Operations. "It has long been our goal to have team affiliations between the NBA and the D-League and this structure should be mutually beneficial to both leagues and the players."
Team affiliations were based primarily on the geographic proximity of the various teams and were created to provide a fair and workable minor-league system for the 30 NBA and eight current D-League teams. Even though NBA teams can now designate players to their affiliated D-League team, a player signed by the D-League can still be called up to any NBA team, regardless of NBA Affiliation.
The affiliation and assignment system will be reviewed by the NBA after the 2005-06 season, and if additional D-League teams are added for the 2006-07 season, affiliations will be adjusted to correspond with the total number of D-League teams.
"Basketball fans in D-League areas will be able to see both, current NBA players and also future stars of the NBA," said Berry. "That adds extreme value to this kind of family entertainment. This affiliation is what the D-League and NBA needed."
The Tulsa 66ers tip off the 2005-06 regular season home-opener with back-to-back home games against the Albuquerque Thunderbirds Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19. Both games begin at 7 p.m.
Season ticket packages are available now and offer numerous options for personal and/or corporate entertainment needs. For ticket information log on to tulsa66ers.com or call (918) 585-8444.
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