FORT WAYNE, Ind., Aug. 12, 2008 – The Mad Ants open their 2008-09 season in the NBA Development League on Friday, Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. EST when they host the Erie BayHawks at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

The Mad Ants-BayHawks contest is the first of 50 regular season games for the Mad Ants, 24 of which will take place at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The Mad Ants will also take part in the 2009 NBA D-League Showcase that will take place from Jan. 5-8 at McKay Events Center in Orem, Utah.

“We are excited to be starting our second season off here at the Coliseum. With Jaren Jackson leading us, I foresee a big year for the Mad Ants. Beyond the great basketball, you can count on the Ants to do what our fans think we do best – put on a high energy, affordable, fun, and family-friendly production,” said Mad Ants’ President Jeff Potter.

In 2007-08, the Mad Ants opened their inaugural season with a record-breaking 7,317 people at their first game. The supportive fans continued to come out in droves throughout the year, and the Mad Ants captured the NBA D-League’s 2007-08 season attendance crown with an average of 4,143 fans per game. This year, with seventeen weekend games, the Mad Ants hope to draw even larger crowds as they continue to offer exciting and affordable entertainment.

“Last year was such a phenomenal start to our season with a D-League record for opening night attendance. I’d like to make just as big a bang this year by selling the building out,” declared Potter.

Also highlighting the 2008-09 NBA D-League Schedule is the All-Star Game and Dream Factory, which is part of NBA Jam Session presented by adidas at NBA All-Star 2009 in Phoenix.

The NBA D-League will continue to have three divisions for the 2008-09 season. The Central and Southwest divisions will feature five teams, while the West division will have six. The Mad Ants will play in the Central division.

The Divisions for the 2008-09 season will break down as follows:

Central Dakota Erie Fort Wayne Iowa Sioux Falls

Southwest Albuquerque Austin Colorado Rio Grande Valley Tulsa

West Anaheim Bakersfield Idaho Los Angeles Reno Utah

Fans can purchase season ticket packages for Mad Ants’ games at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum now by calling (260) 469-4667 or logging onto fortwaynehoops.com. Early bird season tickets are still available in the following price ranges: $399, $199, and $99.