GR Drive Has Decided to Sit Out The 2020-21 Season

As the G League ramps up for a shortened basketball season for 2020-2021 in Orlando, our local franchise has decided they won't be participating.

Fox 17 says the Grand Rapids' Drive decided to opt-out of the shortened season because as the team said in a press release, it wasn't worth the risk. As GR Drive President Steve Jbara said in the release on Fox 17,

"This was the right decision for our team, as we discussed both the safety and logistics surrounding a shortened, single-site season in Orlando,” said Jbara. “Our focus turns now to the 2021-22 season, including an exciting new affiliate that will allow us to further elevate the professional basketball experience in West Michigan for our partners, players and fans."

This was also the last season the Drive would be a G League affiliate for the Detroit Pistons who according to Fox 17 announced they'll be creating their own G League franchise at Wayne State University next season.

GR Drive officials told Fox 17, that no matter what, they are committed to Grand Rapids and even though a new affiliation with another NBA team may mean a name and logo change, it wouldn't change the teams commitment to West Michigan. Officials hope to have an announcement regarding the new affiliation very soon, they're just waiting for the new team and NBA to finalize the agreements.