NBDL Press Conference Audio...I Promise!!

Official D League Announcement PART 1

Official D League Announcement PART 2

Portland D League Press Conference PART 1

Portland D League Press Conference PART 2

D League Press Conference in Portland

Owner Bill Ryan Sr. Speaks during the Announcement.
PHOTO COURTESY DARREN MCCOLLESTER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

Here is the audio of the press conference announcing the NBDL coming to Portland.

I caught up with the Governor of Maine, John Baldacci

IT'S OFFICIAL!!! NBDL Coming to Portland, WJAB TO BE FLAGSHIP BROADCAST STATION

Bill Ryan spoke the words that The CMSB reported on yesterday..."It's official" Along with Jon Jennings, Ryan broke the news on Sports Radio WJAB in Portland at 7:24 AM on Wednesday morning. Stay tuned for audio and press conference information later today right here on The CMSB.com.

Bill Ryan also announced that WJAB will be the flagship radio broadcast station for the new team. PM Jab host Chris Sedenka will serve as play by play voice of the D-League Team.

Audio of Announcement

Part 1 Part 2

NBA Maine Basketball Announces Flagship Radio Station

Portland, Maine, February 25, 2009 - NBA Maine Basketball and Atlantic Coast Radio today announced THE BIG JAB 1440 AM and 96.3 FM will become the flagship station of the new Portland NBA D-League team. THE BIG JAB will broadcast all 50 games as well as a weekly interviews and updates. In addition, Chris Sedenka, host of the PM JAB, has agreed to become the voice of the new team.

"We are thrilled to be broadcasting our games on THE BIG JAB. It is the place to go to hear sports in Maine and we are very excited about the partnership." said Jon Jennings, Team President and General Manager of NBA Maine Basketball.

"We are honored to be named the flagship station for NBA Maine Basketball. The arrival of this team adds a new dimension to the local sports scene in Portland and southern Maine. We look forward to this partnership with NBA Maine Basketball. We also are proud to announce that Chris Sedenka, host of the PM JAB, will be the new play by play voice for the team. NBA Maine Basketball is bringing big time hoops to our city and the Celtics connection is fabulous. Stay with THE BIG JAB as we welcome the NBA D-league to Portland." said Jon Van Hoogenstyn, General Manager, Atlantic Coast Radio.

Fans in Maine can catch all home and away regular season and post-season games live on the flagship station BIG JAB 1440 AM and 96.3 FM.

NBA Maine Basketball will begin play this November at the Portland Expo Building. Fans can purchase season ticket packages for games now by calling (207) 210-6655 or visit www.nbamaine.com for more information.

THE BIG JAB, 1440 AM and 96.3 FM. THE BIG JAB, is owned and operated by Atlantic Coast Radio, southern Maine's only locally owned and operated broadcast group, also the flagship for the Boston Red Sox, and the WEEI sports radio network. THE BIG JAB is home to the top rated Shoe and Joe morning show, and the PM JAB, hosted by Chris Sedenka.

The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA's official minor league and features 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA teams. The league has produced 15 percent of the players on 2007-08 end-of-season NBA rosters and continues to develop current NBA coaches and referees. In fostering the league's connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote youth basketball, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout this season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.

NBDL Coming to Portland

The CMSB has learned from 2 Sources within the City of Portland that an announcement of a deal to bring a Boston Celtics affiliated National Basketball Development League Team to Portland is imminent.

Rumors have bounced around for months that a group headed by Former Celtics exec John Jennings and Oxford Plains Speedway owner Bill Ryan Jr have made lease deals for the Portland Expo and have been working behind the scenes securing affiliation with the NBDL.

Bill Ryan Jr confirmed in an email this morning that there is a press conference scheduled on the matter tomorrow, but could not provide any further details.

The Sports Business Daily addressed the situation with quotes from the Celtics last year, but nothing new has officially surfaced.

In possible related news..good friends of the CMSB, WJAB has posted a major announcement coming at 7:20AM tomorrow. WJAB is an 100,000 watts all sports station located in Portland Maine. The Morning Jab with Shoe and Joe and The PM Jab with Chris Sedenka are both locally produced shows. WJAB can be heard on 96.3FM and 1440AM on the dial.

Please stay here at The CMSB for further details.

NBDL Logo courtesy Chris Creamer's Sports Logo.net