Brooklyn Nets acquire Long Island Nets D-League team
The Brooklyn Nets have acquired a D-League team that will begin play in the 2016-17 season, the team announced Friday.
The Long Island Nets will play their home games at the Barclays Center in 2016-17 before moving to the Nassau Coliseum, the former home of the NHL’s New York Islanders and currently under renovation.
“The creation of a D-League club goes hand in hand with the building of a younger, more athletic Brooklyn Nets team,” said Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov in a release. “It will provide additional roster opportunities that will serve us well as we focus on realizing the full potential of our coaches and players, current and future.”
“The Long Island Nets will be a great brand extension of the Brooklyn Nets, and will give us the opportunity to reclaim a territory that was once ours,” said Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. “The creation of the Long Island Nets is indicative of our ownership’s commitment to the Nets and to the franchise’s future success. The new team will also serve as a proving ground for up-and-coming talent in all areas of our business.”
The Nets become the 12th NBA organization to solely own and operate a D-League team. The D-League has expanded to 21 teams for 2016-17.
The Charlotte Hornets recently acquired a team of their own, and the Chicago Bulls are reportedly looking into creating an exclusive affiliate.
- Beth Maiman
