The Delaware 87ers gained some star power with WNBA and University of Delaware basketball star Elena Delle Donne signing on as the team’s Goodwill Ambassador and spokesperson.
The 87ers or 7s are an NBA Development League team that plays in the Carpenter Center on the University of Delaware campus.
Delle Donne will work with the 87ers in areas such as the Special Olympics and Lyme Disease research funding. The Chicago Sky star returned to Delaware in the off season following a battle with the disease.
The team will also have a six game package that will feature appearances and fan events with Delle Donne, who brought packed houses to the Carpenter Center while starring for the Blue Hens.
At a brief press event in Newark, Delle Donne says it was a “no brainer” to afiliate with the 87ers. The relationship had its roots in a successful promotion with the 87ers involving funding for Lyme Disease.
“I am thrilled to join the 87ers this season as an Ambassador and so thankful for the unique vision they’ve demonstrated bringing me on,” said Delle Donne. “We share a deep commitment to Delaware, to basketball and to providing the community with diverse, positive role models. It is an honor to represent them.”
The 87ers will have eight non-profit game nights throughout the season, including a select number in which Delle Donne will participate, including LymeAid 4 Kids Night and Special Olympics Night. She will also take part in Women’s Health Night, in addition to other Sevens events
The addition to Delle Donne will provide a much needed boost to the Sevens. Their first year as a team affiliated with the Philadelphia 76ers came during one of the toughest winters in recent memory.
“The Delaware 87ers are excited to welcome Elena Delle Donne to the team for the upcoming season, initiating a partnership between two of basketball’s most recognizable brands in the state of Delaware,” said 87ers President Aaron Moszer. “We’re confident in bringing Elena on board, the 87ers will be able to raise awareness to many great organizations in the community, in addition to spreading the team’s reach throughout the state.”
Members who purchase a Delle Donne six-game pack will gain entrance to a private meet-and-greet reception with Delle Donne on Saturday, January 10 vs. Fort Wayne, enjoy a children’s pre-game clinic hosted by Delle Donne on Saturday, February 28 vs. Canton and receive an autographed picture with Delle Donne at the game on Friday, March 6 vs. Fort Wayne.
The 87ers are part of the strategy of the 76ers to rebuild a contending team.The strategy includes developing players through the Development League and fielding a teams that will lose enough games to end up with high draft picks. Some sports reporters have joked that a Development League team could have a talent level approaching the 76ers.
