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New Haven

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Today's Poll

Do you think the Hartford-Springfield market could support an NBA expansion team?
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Poll Description

A marketer based in New York City has a vision for New England: an NBA expansion team that would play at the XL Center in Hartford.

Called the New England Founders, the team would have dual homes at the XL Center and MassMutual Center in Springfield. The Founders would play most of their games at Hartford’s 15,000-seat arena and about 10 per season at the MassMutual Center, which has about 8,000 seats, according to the proposal.

It’s the brainchild of Springfield native Clarence Blair, who says the NBA expansion team would capitalize on Springfield’s “hoops heritage” – basketball was invented by a Springfield College instructor and graduate student in 1891 – and the popularity of UConn basketball.