‘Sevens’ NBA Development League team to play in Newark

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500px-NBA_Development_League_Logo.svgThe Philadelphia 76ers have purchased operating rights that will bring a team to Newark to compete in the 17-team National Basketball Association Development League.

The Philadelphia 76ers have purchased operating rights that will bring a team to Newark to compete in the 17-team National Basketball Association Development League.

The operating rights were previously held by the Utah Flash, a team that went out of operation two seasons ago.

The new NBA D-League franchise will relocate to Delaware and play this fall during the 2013-14 NBA D-League season, which runs from November through April. The team will be known as the Delaware 87ers, and will be nicknamed the “Sevens.” Its arena is the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, Del.

The agreement with UD is unusual, since college sports programs are not always willing to share arenas with teams that are   competing for sports dollars. At the same time, the UD  basketball program is losing its biggest box office draw, Elena DelleDonne. DelleDonne will be playing in the WNBA.

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The 87ers, also announced that the team has named  Aaron Moszer as its Team President, effective immediately. Moszer was most recently the Assistant Vice President of Sales/Marketing for Ripken Baseball Inc., and brings more than 15 years of minor-league team, business-wide management experience to the Sevens.

The Development League was organized as other minor league basketball operations went into decline in the late 1990s.

“The creation of the Delaware 87ers is an important milestone in our quest to ensure that the Philadelphia 76ers are viewed in all respects to be a world-class and cutting-edge NBA franchise. We believe that the ability to own and operate our own NBA D-League affiliate will strengthen our player development and other team initiatives, and be a tremendous asset to the entire Sixers organization,” said Sixers Managing Owner Josh Harris. “We are particularly excited that we can situate the team in the welcoming, nearby state of Delaware, especially since there are so many Delawareans who already are avid 76ers fans.”

“The team name gives a great nod to our first state and brings with it lots of good luck, I assure you,” said Gov. Jack Markell. “We welcome the team to Delaware where many fans await the next season ahead. We promise a hometown spirit of support as the ‘Sevens’ build a new basketball legacy for Delaware, for the region and for the sport. There will be some great games to watch here.”

“Everyone at UD is excited to welcome the Delaware Sevens to Newark,” said University of Delaware President Patrick Harker. “Having the Sevens play in the Bob Carpenter Center gives us a great opportunity to showcase the UD campus, and it gives our neighbors a fun, exciting activity they can share with their families. I know the players want to be an engaged presence in the local community, and I look forward to seeing them around town.”

According to a release, the name “87ers” was selected in honor of Delaware being the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787. The 87ers name also reflects the “76ers,” name, which is derived from the Declaration of Independence being sighed in the city in 1776.

While all 30 NBA teams have an affiliate status with an NBA D-League team, the 76ers become just the sixth NBA team with 100 percent direct ownership of its NBA D-League affiliate, joining the San Antonio Spurs (Austin Toros), Los Angeles Lakers (L.A. D-Fenders), Oklahoma City Thunder (Tulsa 66ers), Golden State Warriors (Santa Cruz Warriors) and Cleveland Cavaliers (Canton Charge).

The NBA currently has more than 100 players with Development League experience.

“We’re thrilled to work with the 76ers to bring NBA D-League basketball to Newark and the state of Delaware,” said NBA D-League President Dan Reed. “Having a record 12th NBA team invest in their own NBA D-League team shows our development system for top NBA prospects is working, and highlights the league’s continued growth. We’re very excited to share our world-class brand of basketball, affordable family-friendly entertainment, and community engagement with all Delawareans.”

Adam Aron, CEO and co-owner of the 76ers, praised the role Delawareans played in making today’s announcement possible, “I want to thank the entire political leadership of Delaware, and especially the executives and staff of the University of Delaware, for their warm embrace of support and for the key roles that they all played in making it possible for us to bring the Sevens to Delaware. We look forward to engaging with the countless basketball fans throughout the state, as both individual fans and businesses across Delaware share with us the energy, joy and family fun that this new 87ers team will create.”

Despite its close proximity to Philadelphia, the state has seen success with one minor league team, The Wilmington Blue Rocks. The Single A team affiliate of the Kansas City Royals has a loyal following.

Fans can call 302-504-7587 for tickets or 302-504-7387 for general information. The team website is Sevens.com.

Other social media pages are:

Twitter (@Sevens),

Facebook (“Delaware 87ers”),

Instagram  (@delaware87ers),

YouTube:  (“Delaware 87ers”)

and Google+ (“Delaware 87ers”).

 

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