The NBA D-League kicked off its 16th season on Friday with a record 22 clubs -- including expansion teams in Greensboro, Chicago and Brooklyn -- and every D-League team now will have a "one-to-one affiliation with an NBA organization," according to Jon Krawczynski of the AP. D-League President Malcolm Turner said, "We've already grown very quickly in a short period of time." He said of the increasing amount of D-League players reaching the next level, "Those are meaningful numbers in terms of D-League experience in the NBA, and that’s just on the players’ side. I think ecosystem and fabric are key terminology for us. It’s not aspirational for us. It’s actually happening." Turner said that the league also is "exploring possible international ventures." Turner said of the league's finances: "We don't disclose our financials publicly, but I would tell you, both at the league level and with our teams, we are trending in the right direction as it relates to not only revenue growth but more importantly profitability as well" (AP, 11/11). The D-League this season also will stream games live on Facebook for the first time. League plans call for all games not aired on ESPN or NBA TV to be streamed live exclusively on Facebook. The total number of games streamed on Facebook this season will be about 520 (John Lombardo, Staff Writer).
