Erie BayHawks and New Orleans Pelicans Announce Partnership
October 24, 2018 - NBA G League (G League)
Erie BayHawks News Release
ERIE, PA - The NBA G League, New Orleans Pelicans and Erie BayHawks announced today that the Pelicans' new NBA G League team will play in Erie, Pennsylvania, beginning with the 2019-20 season. The team will permanently relocate to Birmingham, Alabama, following the renovation of Legacy Arena.
"We are so excited to enter the G League with our own exclusive affiliate," said Pelicans Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Dell Demps. "As a former coach and general manager in the G League, I fully understand the importance of player development and the significance behind giving players a chance to gain valuable experiences in game situations - ones that can't be replicated in practice or the film room. The opportunity to begin our operations next year in Erie is a great situation for our organization - the infrastructure is already in place, the transition in taking over basketball operations for the BayHawks will be seamless, and it allows us to accelerate our player development program. I'd like to thank our owner, Mrs. Benson, our team president, Dennis Lauscha and executive vice president of basketball operations, Mickey Loomis, for their efforts to make this happen and commitment to providing the resources we need to be successful."
New Orleans' NBA G league affiliate will be the 28th NBA G League team to play in the 2019-20 season. The Pelicans represent the seventh NBA franchise to be affiliated with the Erie BayHawks: Cleveland Cavaliers/Philadelphia 76ers (2008-09), Cleveland Cavaliers/Toronto Raptors (2009-11), New York Knicks (2011-14), Orlando Magic (2014-17) and the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club (2017-19).
"We're grateful to the New Orleans Pelicans organization for this opportunity to keep NBA G League basketball in Erie," said BayHawks Team President Matt Bresee. "The league continues to experience tremendous growth and we're thrilled for our fans, corporate partners, and the Erie region as a whole, that the Pelicans will be starting their G League franchise here."
As New Orleans will begin its process of developing young talent, the team will play at Erie Insurance Arena as the Erie BayHawks. The Pelicans will partner with the BayHawks' current management team, led by Owen McCormick and Matt Bresee. During the team's stay in Erie, the BayHawks local management team will continue to run the day-to-day business operation.
The Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club are entering the final year of a two-year partnership with Erie. Atlanta intends to relocate its G League team to College Park, Georgia, following the 2018-19 season.
Erie will open the 2018-19 campaign by hosting back-to-back contests, beginning on November 2 against the Grand Rapids Drive. The BayHawks will then face the Lakeland Magic the following night. Both contests are slated to tip at 7:00 p.m. Single-game tickets for Erie's 11th season in the NBA G League are on sale now and can be purchased online at eriebayhawks.com or at the Erie Insurance Arena box office.
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- New Orleans Pelicans Purchase NBA G League Team to Play in Renovated Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama - Birmingham Squadron
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