BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – The owners of the New Orleans Pelicans have confirmed the Birmingham Squadron are moving closer to home.
In a statement from the ownership group, they confirmed it was determined it would be best if the team were located closer to the Pelicans in New Orleans.
“We have valued our time in Birmingham – it has been an incredible partnership with the city and the arena. As we assess our basketball operations – we have determined that it is best moving forward that the G-League team, Squadron, are located closer to the Pelicans team. We cannot thank the leadership of the BJCC Executive Director and CEO Tad Snider and Mayor Randall Woodfin enough, and of course, the fans that have supported and attended Squadron games during our time in Birmingham. We could not have asked for a better partner.”
In a following statement, the Pelicans did say that they want to continue holding preseason games in Birmingham.
City officials in Kenner, Louisiana voted Thursday, Feb. 5, in support of a move to their city.
The proposal would have the team play at Pontchartrain Center, less than a 15-mile drive from the New Orleans Pelicans home arena, Smoothie King Center.
The Squadron began their tenure in Birmingham back in Dec. 2021. Before that, the team played two seasons as the Erie BayHawks in Erie, Pennsylvania.
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