Columbia, SC (WLTX) - Columbia is one of seven cities in the Carolinas that's in the running to get an NBA Development League team, the Charlotte Hornets announced Monday.
The franchise would be an offshoot of the Hornets. The organization says it's sent a request for proposal to the following towns: Asheville, NC; Fayetteville, NC; Greensboro, NC; Raleigh, NC; Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC; and Greenville, SC.
"This is a very exciting time for us," said Hornets Sports & Entertainment President & COO Fred Whitfield said in a statement. "The decision to take steps toward launching our own D-League club is yet another example of our owner's long-term commitment to our franchise and continues to show his willingness to invest in the resources needed to improve our basketball team. A D-League team would also allow us to continue to expand the Hornets brand regionally by having a presence in an additional market."
The D-League, as it's commonly known, began in 2001 as a way to train and develop young players, similar to Major League Baseball's farm system. Some of the D-League teams are wholly owned and operated by an NBA team, while others are run in a partnership with between the franchise and a local owner.
Right now, the Hornets are in neither of those situations: they're one of 13 NBA teams that affiliate with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the only independent D-League team. But the Hornets says having their own team would have major advantages.
"This move would allow us to dictate how the team is run, including using the same offensive and defensive sets, play calls and philosophies as the Hornets do," said Hornets General Manager Rich Cho. "It would also provide for a seamless and easy transition when moving players between our team and the D-League affiliate."
The new team would begin play in the 2016-17 season. It's not clear yet when the Hornets will name a city for the franchise.
