Andre Agassi Joins Southwest Basketball, LLC - 網球

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 3, -- Southwest Basketball, LLC principal David Kahn
announced today that legendary tennis star Andre Agassi has become an
investor in the entity that owns four teams in the NBA’s Development League.

“We’re pleased to have somebody of Andre’s stature and business sense in
Southwest Basketball,” Kahn said. “I’m especially pleased because he is so
community-minded. We will constantly want to tap into his thinking on
community relations and charitable projects.”

Announced by NBA Commissioner David Stern on March 21, Southwest Basketball
was awarded teams in Albuquerque (N.M.), Tulsa (Oka.), Austin and Fort Worth
(Texas). Led by Kahn, a former Indiana Pacers general manager, Southwest
Basketball, LLC will provide NBA minor league basketball to the Southwest
region for the first time.

The D-League begins the 2005-06 season with eight franchises and plans to
expand to 15 teams by next season. Currently, the NBA owns and operates teams
in Roanoke (Va.) and Fayetteville (N.C.). Teams in Ft. Meyers (Fla.) and
Little Rock (Ark.) are independently owned.

“Southwest Basketball is a great enterprise that benefits both players and
fans alike,” said Agassi. “It not only expands the opportunities available
for athletes to professionally compete in the sport, it also brings a new
form of affordable family entertainment to these markets.”

Agassi not only plays a full tennis schedule but also fills his calendar with
various charity activities. In 1994, the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation
(AACF) was founded to provide recreational and educational opportunities for
underprivileged children. Since its inception, the Foundation has supported
more than 20 organizations and raised more than $50 million dollars for
programs designed to enhance a child’s character, self-esteem and career
possibilities.

In 2001, the AACF opened the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy – a
public charter school conceived on the belief that nothing has a greater
impact on a child’s life than the education they receive. Located in the
heart of Las Vegas' most at-risk neighborhood, the AACPA is designed to
improve skill levels and combat lowered academic expectations while creating
a climate of hope among this community's most challenged children. The
curriculum emphasizes technology and college preparation while encouraging
involvement in community affairs.

The NBA Development League and its teams are deeply committed to creating
programs and providing services on a year-round basis that improve the
quality of life in our communities. Led by the Read to Achieve program, the
centerpiece of the D-league’s community relations efforts, the D-league
works to provide a lifelong love of reading and encourages families and
adults to read regularly with young children. Additionally, D-league teams
will actively participate in various year-round community initiatives and
volunteer opportunities to provide unparalleled time and access to players,
coaches and staff.

The D-League offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a
highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA’s umbrella. Thirty-four (34)
players have been called up to the NBA on 50 separate occasions. Ten former
D-League coaches, five athletic trainers, 11 referees and 29 front office
executives have also been called up since the start of the league’s
inaugural season in November 2001.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and
internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at
affordable prices. The D-League is a source of on-court talent for the NBA’s
30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by
training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and
marketing positions.



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AA的名字出現在NBA首頁了………。

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