In a bold move to bolster local sports and economic development, the city of Kenner is poised to pursue the relocation of the New Orleans Pelicans’ G-League team, the Birmingham Squadron, to the Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center.
The Times Picayune first reported that the Kenner City Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution Thursday evening, authorizing Mayor Michael Glaser to enter negotiations with the Pelicans organization for the potential move.
The resolution introduced by Glaser highlights the Squadron’s expressed interest in shifting its home base closer to the Pelicans’ operations in Metairie. Pelicans officials have not yet commented publicly on the Kenner proposal.
This development comes amid reports of modest attendance figures in Birmingham, where the team has played since relocating from Erie, Pennsylvania, in 2021.
Kenner’s Pontchartrain Center, with a seating capacity of about 3,600 for sporting events, contrasts sharply with Birmingham’s Legacy Arena, which can accommodate up to 17,654 fans. However, recent Squadron games have drawn crowds as low as 1,483, with inaugural season highs around 5,000. If approved, a proposal would allow Kenner officials to explore hosting G-League home games at the Pontchartrain Center without immediately committing to a long-term lease.
Lower operations costs and the close proximity of the G League team for player moves between the Squadron and Pelicans would both provide benefit for the NBA franchise.