Memphis Grizzlies Sign Affiliate Partnership with NBA D-League’s Iowa Energy

NBA franchise Memphis Grizzlies has announced NBA Development League team Iowa Energy will be their official affiliate for the 2014-15 season. 

The Grizzlies become the 14th team to have a one-to-one relationship with its NBA D-League affiliate for the 2014-15 season.

Memphis will be the only NBA team affiliated with the Energy and will have full control over the team’s basketball operations.  This partnership, also referred to as the “hybrid affiliation,” will see the Grizzlies pay for and control Iowa’s basketball operations, while Energy ownership, including Jed Kaplan and Energy Basketball, LLC, will maintain primary responsibility for the team’s business operations and community initiatives.  To further align the teams, the Energy has adopted Memphis’ Beale Street Blue and Gold color scheme and has revamped their logo to visually represent the partnership with the Grizzlies. 

“We are excited at the opportunity for our basketball operations to partner with an NBA Development League team and believe this to be an important milestone for our franchise,” Memphis Grizzlies Owner Robert Pera said. “This affiliation will further strengthen our ability to develop potential NBA talent and staff as we continue to build upon our positive culture and winning foundation here in Memphis.”

“The investment by Jed Kaplan and the Memphis Grizzlies in the Iowa Energy is yet another exciting step forward for the NBA D-League,” NBA D-League President Dan Reed said. “The Grizzlies continue to demonstrate their commitment to basketball innovation and development with this new partnership, joining an ever-growing number of NBA teams who have obtained a ‘one-to-one’ affiliation with an NBA D-League team.”

The Energy, which joined the NBA D-League prior today the 2007-08 season, plays its home games at the Wells Fargo Center in Des Moines, part of the Iowa Events Center.  The team captured the 2011 NBA D-League Championship in front of a record 14,036 fans, while helping 10 total players make the jump from the Energy to the NBA, including current NBA players Diante Garrett (Utah Jazz), Othyus Jeffers (Minnesota Timberwolves), Cartier Martin (Atlanta Hawks), Anthony Tolliver (Charlotte Bobcats) and Jarvis Varnado (Philadelphia 76ers).

“The synergy created through the hybrid agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies will prove extremely beneficial to both organizations. We look forward to continued success, community involvement and treating the fans to Memphis’ brand of basketball on our way to multiple championships in Des Moines,” Iowa Energy Managing Partner Jed Kaplan said.