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Roanoke Makes Party of Five
The NBA 's Minor League Picks Its Fifth Charter City

ROANOKE, VA, - 05/18/01 - Roanoke, Virginia becomes the fifth city in the National Basketball Development League, the NBA's new minor league, which will start play this November.

Rob Levine, the NBA's Senior Vice President forNew League Development made the announcement today at Roanoke Civic Center, the new home of Roanoke's NBDL team, which has not been named as yet.

"The city's leadership has a vision for what the Roanoke Civic Center will be in the years ahead," said Levine. "We're pleased that the NBDL will play a role in the city's future, and increase the vitality of Roanoke as an entertainment center and sports city for fans across southwest Virginia."

"We're delighted that the NBDL has selected us to be a part of the NBA family and help launch this new league," said Roanoke City Manager, Darlene Burcham.

Roanoke, VA joins Fayetteville, NC, North Charleston SC, Huntsville, AL, and Mobile, AL as the first NBDL cities. The NBA moved to the NBDL development concept after an offer to buy the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) from then-owner Isiah Thomas fell through.

The National Basketball Development League will tip off its inaugural season in November 2001 with teams based in eight Southeastern U.S. cities and a 56-game regular season schedule that runs from mid-November through March, followed by playoffs A total of 24 games will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN starting on opening night. Regular weekly coverage will begin in December 2001 and continue throughout the regular season and playoffs.

Three more announcements of charter cities remain in the NBDL bag of tricks. Eight teams are the slated number for the inugural season of the league, which is blessed by cover from a large NBA umbrella, and ticketing and entertainment synergy deals with SFX Music and Entertainment.

What is not yet certain is where the discussions with the CBA franchise owners who took over their old teams and joined the International Basketball League (IBL) will lead the NBA and its evolution of the NBDL.

Baseball still reigns supreme in the minor league world as a system of order run for the benefit of the major league clubs being serviced. If Commissioner Stern and Mr. Levine play their cards right, they may leave an enduring legacy for basketball in a solid professional minor league that develops players beyond the crowded opportunities to shine in college.

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