The National Basketball Association announced its new affiliation and assignment system for the NBA Development League. Under this system, the Albuquerque Thunderbirds will be directly affiliated with four NBA teams--the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Seattle Supersonics, and the Utah Jazz.

“This is the final step in creating a true minor league system for the NBA and ensures that Thunderbird fans will be able to see the best young talent from four great teams,” said Billy Widner, Thunderbirds team president. “All four of these teams have had great levels of success with established core of stars which should give us a great opportunity to develop their young talent.”

In accordance with the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in June, NBA teams are permitted to assign players during their first two NBA seasons to the D-League. The assignment provides younger players in the NBA an opportunity to develop their skills during actual in-game experiences while continuing to receive their NBA salaries and benefits.

“This is another step in the right direction to assist in the continuing development of players,” said Stu Jackson, NBA Senior Vice President, Basketball Operations. “It has long been our goal to have team affiliations between the NBA and the D-League and this structure should be mutually beneficial to both leagues and the players.”

Team affiliations were based primarily on the geographic proximity of the various teams and were created to provide a fair and workable minor-league system for the 30 NBA and eight current D-League teams. Even though NBA teams can now designate players to their affiliated D-League team, a player signed by the D-League can still be called up to any NBA team, regardless of NBA Affiliation.

The affiliation and assignment system will be reviewed by the NBA after the 2005-06 season, and if additional D-League teams are added for the 2006-07 season, affiliations will be adjusted to correspond with the total number of D-League teams.

The Thunderbirds tip off the 2005-06 home-opener Friday, Nov. 25 against the Tulsa 66ers beginning at 7 p.m. at Tingley Coliseum. The regular season begin with back-to-back outings against the 66ers in Tulsa on Nov. 18-19.

Season ticket packages are available now and offer numerous options for personal and/or corporate entertainment needs. For ticket information log on to abqtbirds.com or call (505) 265-DUNK.