Last week, the Los Angeles Clippers were reported to be working towards introducing their Development League affiliate called the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario. Today, Los Angeles made it official and formally introduced the AC Clips in their official team press release.
Following from the Los Angeles Clippers.
The L.A. Clippers and the NBA Development League today announced that the Clippers have acquired the right to own and operate an NBA D-League team that will begin play in Ontario, Calif. for the 2017-18 season when the league will be called the NBA Gatorade League. The team’s name will be the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario.
The team is named for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, a federally recognized Tribe located in Palm Springs, Calif. The Tribe owns and operates the Agua Caliente Casino Resorts, which includes the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage and Spa Resort Casino in downtown Palm Springs. Agua Caliente Resorts is the Clippers’ Presenting Sponsor as well as the team’s Official Tribal Casino partner.
With 31,500 acres of reservation lands that spread across Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage and into the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains, the Tribe also owns Tahquitz and Indian Canyons recreational areas, and two 18-hole championship golf courses.
With today’s announcement, the NBA D-League grows to a record 26 teams for the 2017-18 season, all of which are owned or operated by an NBA club.
“This is another exciting day for the NBA D-League as we add a record 26th team and continue to move closer to our 30-team vision,” said NBA D-League President Malcolm Turner. “Today’s announcement is the latest example of the value NBA teams place on developing young talent on and off the court. I’m thrilled to welcome Steve Ballmer and the Clippers, in partnership with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, to the NBA D-League family.”
In addition to introducing their D-League affiliate, the Clips also unveiled their new logo as well. Look at the Agua Caliente’s new logo below and get familiar with what is now the 26th D-League affiliate in the NBA.
Now presenting the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario!
Tune in on our Facebook for the live announcement.
Follow us » @ACClippers pic.twitter.com/ix4hFir5D5
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) May 15, 2017
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has made it a conscious effort to assign a D-League team to all 30 teams in the association and this is one step closer to that being a reality.
