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Idaho
Stampede become Utah's NBA D-League affiliate
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.).