Stampede Join D-League
April 6, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Idaho Stampede News Release
BOISE, IDAHO - April 6 - The NBA Development League (D-League) has awarded expansion teams to four cities for the 2006-07 season, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced today. The teams, all previously associated with the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), are located in Bismarck, N.D., Boise, Idaho, Broomfield, Colo., and Sioux Falls, S.D. The Utah Jazz will be the primary NBA affiliate team for the Stampede.
"The move to the D-league is the natural consolidation of minor league basketball and will make it similar to the structure of minor league baseball's Triple A clubs," stated Bill Ilett, managing investor for the Idaho Stampede. "Fans will benefit from the affiliation with the Utah Jazz and with Jazz owner Larry Miller having several business interests in Boise it is going to help bring these two cities closer together."
The Utah Jazz are no strangers to Boise. During this past NBA pre-season, the Jazz hosted their training camp in the Treasure Valley and on several occasions have played pre-season games here in town. Former Jazz players also have strong ties to the Northwest. John Stockton is a graduate of Gonzaga and Karl Malone is married to a former Miss Idaho.
"Our fans will see a wider variety of teams and more talented players than ever before," said Stampede President & General Manager John Brunelle. "Along with making a fresh start in the NBA's expanded D-league, we will continue to battle with two of our established rivals in Sioux Falls and Bismarck. Plus it will be fun for fans to track player movement between our team and the NBA with our direct affiliation to the Jazz."
The Dakota Wizards, Idaho Stampede, Colorado 14ers and Sioux Falls Skyforce, along with the previously announced expansion Bakersfield Jam (Calif.), join 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.).
• Discuss this story on the NBA G League message board...
NBA G League Stories from April 6, 2006
- Thunderbirds down RimRockers - Arkansas RimRockers
- Toros Conclude Regular Season with Tough Loss to Flyers - Austin Spurs
- Knicks Sign Fort Worth's Ime Udoka - Fort Worth Flyers
- Stampede Join D-League - Idaho Stampede
- NBA Development League Expands to Four Cities - G League
- Fort Worth Signs Moon - Fort Worth Flyers
- Dazzle Control Their Playoff Destiny - Roanoke Dazzle
- NBA D-League daily developments - G League
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
