Fansided

Report: Chicago Bulls to add NBA D-League affiliate for 2016-17 season

By Chris Reichert

Oct 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) reacts after a foul call against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) reacts after a foul call against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s about time.

Over the weekend, The Daily Herald reported that the Chicago Bulls will look to add a D-League affiliate to play in Hoffman Estates for the 2016-17 season. Hoffman Estates is home to the Sears Centre Arena and is only about an hour outside of Chicago.

The Hoffman Estates village special finance committee will discuss whether or not this is viable for them on Monday, Nov. 2. If the committee gives a positive recommendation, the village board will vote on Nov. 9 on whether or not to authorize Sears Centre management firm Global Spectrum to enter into a contract to bring the Bulls’ team there.

The Sears Centre has capacity for 11,000 fans and while sellouts will be unlikely, being able to accommodate fans in surrounding areas is beneficial. League average for attendance last season was just over 2,698, with the Texas Legends leading the way raking in 5,510 fans on average for their home games. The league did have an all-time high of 1.2 million fans in attendance and that number will surely grow each season as new teams are added and interest emerges.

The contract itself is said to be for five years with three separate five-year renewals, which could potentially keep the D-League team there for 20 years. The Bulls released a statement on adding a D-League team on Friday.

"“The Chicago Bulls are seeking to establish an expansion NBA Development League (NBADL) franchise that would begin play at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates for the 2016-17 season. The concept of operating a NBADL franchise in the Chicago area is very exciting and represents an investment by the Bulls in the growth of the game of basketball and our brand.”"

If successful the Bulls will create the 21st NBADL franchise after the Charlotte Hornets’ announcement earlier this week made them the 20th team, which will be an all-time high. The Bulls continued their statement on the importance of adding a minor league franchise in today’s NBA landscape.

"“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 last bit is key. Chicago has been behind the curve in terms of utilizing the D-League and part of that is not having their own affiliate, while part of it was an internal belief that young players would see a larger benefit from developing in-house.

In fact, the Bulls have utilized the NBADL the least of any NBA team when it comes to sending players on assignment. Since the 2009-10 season, they have placed a player on assignment only three times. For perspective, 18 NBA teams had at least three assignments just last season.

While the players catch the bulk of the headlines, a minor league team is just as vital for developing coaches and front office executives for an NBA organization. Many NBA teams are placing internal people with their D-League franchise to obtain on-the-job experience for career opportunities in the future.

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