Portland NBDL Team "Imminent"

People said a AA baseball team would never work in Portland, people said an AHL team would never work in Portland, but both have succeeded expectations in all aspects. Sure the Portland Sea Dogs have the advantage of being affiliated with the Red Sox, but this d-league team will have the advantage of being affiliated with the Celtics. I do know Bill Ryan Jr and he has said on several occasions on the local sports radio (WJAB) that the plan by the d-leauge and NBA is to have teams throughout the east coast. NH, CT, NY, NJ, PA are places they have mentioned. Also nickgneta Bill Ryan Sr is a very very wealthy man who is also behind this project, he’s like the ceo of TD Banknorth or something along those lines. If you’ve never been to Maine you wouldn’t know that theres not a whole heck of a lot to do up here thats why the minor league teams flourish up here.

…but also concerned about the viability of the team in that location. As others have mentioned this has to be part of a bigger plan to locate several teams in the northeast. Unless those other teams come I don’t think it will work out.

Even if they do, it seems like it could be a struggle. Is the D-League making money? Is it successful? I don’t know why we haven’t heard about where and when those teams will go. Hartford? Providence? Buffalo? Those cities aren’t exactly close to Portland.

The D-league would have to be doing great to expand by 5 teams over a year or 2. Especially given that so many NBA teams seem to be struggling and hoping to move themselves.

Anyway, color me hopeful, but skeptical.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

or should I say…

Ayuh! Ayuh! Ayuh!

Hopefully they do better than the minor league team that was here back in the late 90s…

I will drive up to see a few games. Portland is a great town.

saweeeeeeet!
i’m gonna be get me some season tixs as soon as i can.

and yes brick, portland is a great town.

Well I was at the launch and the celtics staff that were there seemed pretty excited about it, as well as former celtic great Casey Jones. I am pretty sure also that the plan is to expand the D league, especially to the east coast. I feel like the D league could be a great minor league system. however, It will not function correctly until all teams have an individual affiliate.

Jamal Katerina, ex Deering High School star, who was a member of the team when the were oh so close to winning the state championship game against Bangor, has been playing European ball and refining his skills. The city of Portland may see him play again as in a recent interview, now on youtube.com, he talks about trying out for the new D-League team.