ISOTOPES MARKETING EXECUTIVE JOINS THUNDERBIRDS
Team President Billy Widner to Become COO of Austin Toros

Albuquerque, N.M., December 14, 2007 – The Albuquerque Thunderbirds announced today that Chris Holland formerly of the Albuquerque Isotopes has joined the NBA Development League’s Albuquerque Thunderbirds as Chief Operating Officer. Billy Widner, the first team president in Thunderbirds history, is leaving to become the COO of the Toros, the D-League team in Austin, Texas.

“I have truly enjoyed my time with the Thunderbirds,” said Widner, who attended the University of New Mexico and returned to Albuquerque from the Dallas Mavericks. “Bringing NBA basketball to my home town and watching young players chase their dreams while inspiring young people in the community has been amazing.”

“I am excited about the future of the franchise and I have complete faith that Chris Holland will bring new experiences and a new energy that will take the team to a new level,” said Widner.

“Billy Widner has done a phenomenal job for the Thunderbirds and has been a major part in two great seasons,” said Sam Bregman, local owner of the Thunderbirds. “We wish him luck in Austin, except when they play the Thunderbirds.”

Holland brings years of experience and success in sports from the baseball world as the Corporate Sales & Promotions Manager for the Class Triple-A Isotopes. A graduate of Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, Holland earned his B.A. in Communications/Journalism.

“I’m just thrilled at the opportunity.” said Holland. “I look forward to building on the early success of the staff as we continue to strengthen our position within the community.”

“We are also excited about adding Chris Holland to the Thunderbirds front office,” said Bregman. “His experience and capabilities are a perfect fit.”

"We're grateful we had somebody as talented as Billy for as long as we did,” said David Kahn of Southwest Basketball, LLC, which owns the Thunderbirds in conjunction with Bregman and Michael Cooper. “I also think it speaks volumes about the D League and the NBA that Billy has chosen to remain in the league, in a location where his family has roots.”

"In the meantime, we're pleased to have somebody of Chris' caliber joining us. The Isotopes have set the standard for minor league sports in New Mexico and I am certain Chris will help us immensely."

The Thunderbirds return home to take on the Anaheim Arsenal on December 15th. Game time is set for 7:00 pm at Tingley Coliseum. All Thunderbirds games can be heard on KBZU 96.3 “The Buzz” FM.

Thunderbirds 2007–08 single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com, Ticketmaster or at the Thunderbirds front office at 111 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 240, Albuquerque, NM 87102. For premium or group seating call the Thunderbirds office at (505) 265-DUNK.

The Thunderbirds stay focused on the community by participating in community events such as the Read to Achieve Program as well as D-League Cares. In the past two seasons the Thunderbirds have worked over 3,000 hours in the community, staying dedicated to Albuquerque and New Mexico.

The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Now in its seventh season the D-League’s goals are to provide affordable, NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 14 teams, as well as continue to develop players, coaches, referees and front-office personnel for the NBA. As the single source for in-season player "call-ups" to the NBA, fans of the D-League enjoy the highest caliber of basketball played outside the NBA. In fact, former D-League players represented 10 percent of NBA players on 2007-08 opening day rosters, numbering 44 in total. In addition, the D-League has produced 25 percent of current NBA referees and 16 current NBA coaches, including head coach Sam Vincent with the Charlotte Bobcats. The D-League is an innovative and rapidly growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing ground for new initiatives of the NBA and its teams, provides continuing education and professional development resources for its players, and is committed to serving its local communities through D-LEAGUE CARES and grassroots efforts.

Individually, the Thunderbirds have had two player call-ups, two front office call-ups, two training staff call-ups and three call-ups from the Storm Chasers Dance and Cheer squad.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the D-League offers NBA-quality basketball and fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com