DJ Danny DeBruin, Portland city officials, Bill Ryan of TD Banknorth and Boston Celtic's own K.C Jones are looking at the possibility of bringing an NBA development team to Portland, Maine! 
A minor league basketball team could debut in Portland as soon as this Fall, 2008, if it goes according to plan for this group of investors trying to win an expansion franchise in the NBA Development League. The group is led by Bill Ryan Jr., owner of Oxford Plains Speedway, and former Boston Celtics assistant coach and executive Jon Jennings. It also includes Bill Ryan Sr., chairman of the board of TD Banknorth, and former Celtics player and head coach K.C. Jones."You look at the Sea Dogs and the Pirates — there is such a passion for minor league sports here," said Ryan Jr. "That's what we want to capture. The same family atmosphere, fun, affordable."
"Being a resident of Portland, I find sports limited beyond the high school and college level", states Dan DeBruin of DeBruin Entertainment. "I think professional basketball could work in this area, but, as many have stated, its all about the business end of it. Any professional sport developing higher than a high school or college sports (besides hockey) has struggled to materialize. Let's not forget that about 10-12 years ago Portland, Maine did have a semi-pro basketball team that drew mixed reviews from the community. However, The NBDL (National Basketball Development League) has increased in popularity over the last decade, with many pro's using it as a stepping stone for the NBA. After all, the Portland Pirates and Portland Sea dogs have both been successful. Portland has a changing face of people; many seem to be from bigger cities, so it might just happen…
Posted by: Professional DJ Danny DeBruin of DeBruin Entertainment
