The Orlando Magic announced today that the organization has begun the process of bringing an NBA Development League (D-League) franchise to Central or Northern Florida. The franchise would be a direct one-to-one affiliate of the Orlando Magic, with the hope of beginning play for the 2017-18 season.
The franchise is sending an RFP to eight locations seeking the best home for the Development League club.
Locations receiving the initial RFP include: Daytona Beach (Ocean Center); Estero (Germain Arena); Fort Myers (Lee Civic County Center); Jacksonville (Veterans Memorial Arena); Kissimmee (Silver Spurs Arena); Lakeland (Lakeland Center); Orlando/ESPN Wide World of Sports (HP Field House); Orlando/UCF (CFE Arena).
"Our goal is to have our Development League team closer to home, and we are beginning our due diligence to look at options in Central and Northern Florida," said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. "Having our D-League team closer to Orlando would give us the best opportunity to continue to develop our young players, while also extending the Magic brand in our region."
The Orlando Magic and the Erie Bayhawks are in the second year of a three-year single affiliation partnership. While the Magic control the basketball operations, the Bayhawks are responsible for the team's off-the-court business operations.
The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA's official minor league. Featuring 19 teams with direct affiliations to NBA franchises, and three more teams joining for the 2016-17 season, the NBA D-League is a proven developer of talent.