Springfield close to landing NBA Development League franchise

[HartfordTycoon 4]

Looks like Springfield may be getting a D League team. Good for them. I'm sure it will be a decent draw for the Mass Mutual Center. I might even have to check out a few games. This should create great synergy with the BBall Hall of Fame though.

Springfield Republican

A Springfield franchise would play its home games at the MassMutual Center. The team would be owned by a group of investors, the leader of which is Michael K. Savit, 52, a managing partner of Hws Group in Wellesley.

Hws Group has been involved in the management of minor league baseball teams. Savit said Wednesday that if a D-League franchise is obtained, the investment group would include members from Greater Springfield.

He said he felt good about the city's chances.

"Optimism is the right word," Savit said. "With the NBA putting its muscle behind the D-League, there is definitely growth potential.

"With its great background in the sport, Springfield has a lot going for it. We are trying to make people of think of Springfield for basketball the way they think of Cooperstown for baseball," Savit said.

Sixteen teams currently make up the D-League, which was founded in 2001 and serves as the NBA's minor league.

With the exception of Erie, Pa., its teams are located in the Midwest, Southwest and West. An effort to expand to the Northeast has put Springfield, Hartford and New York's Harlem neighborhood in contention.

Two weeks ago, the league added Portland, Maine, which likely will serve as a Boston Celtics affiliate.