Chicago Bulls hope to add D-League team for 2016-17 season
The Chicago Bulls are looking to create a D-League franchise that would play its home games in Hoffman Estates, Ill., reports Eric Peterson of the Daily Herald.
The Bulls said in a statement Friday that the hope is to have the team begin play in the 2016–17 season, with the the Sears Centre Arena serving as the team’s home court. The Bulls would own and operate the minor-league team.
“Playing in the NBA's official minor league, a Bulls NBADL team will create tremendous opportunities to promote the game of basketball in our surrounding communities, extend the reach of the Bulls and deepen our integration with the community, and establish a developmental program that will benefit our younger players in an atmosphere consistent with our NBA program,” the statement said.
Hoffman Estates is about 30 miles northwest of Chicago. The city’s village board members will discuss the potential deal at a special finance committee meeting set for Nov. 2. The proposed team is expected to play 24 home games at the publicly owned venue.
The Bulls organization is currently affiliated with the D-League’s Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Previously, Chicago was affiliated with the Iowa Energy from 2007 to 2013.
On Tuesday, the Charlotte Hornetsbecame the 11th NBA team to own and operate a Development League affiliate. The league currently stands at 20 teams.
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