The Magic have purchased the D-League Erie BayHawks franchise with the "intention of moving the minor league team to The Lakeland Center" in time for the '17-18 season, according to Brady Fredericksen of the Lakeland LEDGER. The Magic "chose The Lakeland Center over Kissimmee's Silver Spurs Arena." The decision was the result, in part, of the "city's sports history." Lakeland's relationship with the Tigers "played a large part." Magic CEO Alex Martins said, "The experience with the Tigers manifested itself in what all of the individuals brought to the table in what it takes to attract a professional sports team to the area." Magic GM Rob Hennigan said, "That proximity is really the crux, and that's sort of the catalyst for how we use it." The Lakeland team will be the "second to play in Florida after the Florida Flame, a one-time affiliate of the Magic that folded" following the '05-06 season. NBA D-League President Malcolm Turner said that about 70% of the D-League franchises are "owned by their NBA parent." The team will "practice in a yet-to-be-built facility" in Winter Haven. Winter Haven Mayor Brad Dantzler said that the city will "construct a 60,000- to 70,000-square-foot arena." The team has no name, and Martins said that they "intend to have a contest next month to involve the community in the naming process" (Lakeland LEDGER, 12/15).
ERIE FEELING: In Orlando, Roger Simmons notes the Magic are in the "final year of a three-year D-League affiliation agreement with the Erie BayHawks" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/15). In Pennsylvania, John Dudley writes the Magic's purchase of BayHawks was an "unexpected turn of events." Previous "indications were that the Magic would place an expansion team in Florida that they would own and operate." Instead, the Magic "will be majority operators of a team whose ownership group includes" BayHawks Majority Owner Steve Demetriou and Martins (GOERIE.com, 12/14).
