Erie BayHawks | |
---|---|
League | NBA Development League |
Founded | 2008 |
History |
Erie BayHawks 2008–present Lakeland, Florida, in 2017 |
Arena | Erie Insurance Arena |
Location | Erie, Pennsylvania |
Team colors | Red, gold, black, white |
Head coach | Bill Peterson |
Ownership | Steve Demetriou |
Affiliation(s) | Orlando Magic |
Championships | 0 |
Division / Conference titles | 0 |
Website | ErieBayHawks.com |
The Erie BayHawks are a professional basketball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. They are part of the NBA Development League (D-League), which is the National Basketball Association's official minor league. The team was established in 2008 as an expansion team, originally affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers. In 2014, they entered a three-year affiliation agreement with the Orlando Magic. On December 14, 2016, it was announced that the Magic had bought the Erie BayHawks franchise and intend to relocate it to Lakeland, Florida, prior to the 2017–18 season. The BayHawks organization will continue to operate using the Atlanta Hawks D-League franchise for at least two seasons until their new arena is completed in College Park, Georgia.
The "BayHawks" name alludes to the Presque Isle Bay, on which Erie lies. The hawk represents the city's wildlife and naval history, especially because hawks were used by naval expeditions to send important messages. The team's colors of black, red, and gold pay homage to the Erie-based Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and to the United States Navy uniforms worn during the War of 1812.
The Erie BayHawks made headlines on January 17, 2012, when Jeremy Lin was assigned to the team. On January 20, he had a triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in the BayHawks' 122–113 victory over the Maine Red Claws. Lin was recalled by the Knicks three days later. In December 2012, the Knicks assigned NBA veteran Amar'e Stoudemire to the BayHawks because of an injury.