Soon basketball fans from all around can catch professional hoops in downtown Springfield. Along with the new team comes a new source of revenue for downtown businesses.

"Welcome to Basketball City USA, the home of the one and only Basketball Hall of Fame and home of the now Springfield Armor basketball team," Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said.

After seven months of planning, tryouts and scheduling, the Springfield Armor D-League basketball team is less than a week away from taking the court at the MassMutual Center. Team manager Alex Schwerin said management has worked hard to make the Armor experience something that will draw decent crowds.

"The name of our game is affordable family friendly entertainment. That’s what it’s all about, That’s how you can both attract the fans and also get the people who may not be the biggest basketball fans out to the games with families and kids and want to come back," said Springfield Armor General Manager Alex Schwerin.

Teaming up with downtown businesses is one way to add extra incentive for potential ticket buyers. Donald Courtemanche has been the executive director of the Business Improvement District for less than a month and wants to capitalize on the new team.

"We've got a couple of great businesses right here on Main Street, and up in the quadrangles, and the museums that are offering deep discounts for anybody that has got a armor ticket either the day of the event of going forward throughout the season," Courtemanche said.

With two teams to cheer on and a downtown music venue at Symphony Hall, Mayor Sarno said the tide is turning when it comes to a revitalized downtown.

"Aliven the downtown. The Falcons are playing great. We have family friendly affordable and good basketball, the big thing is that we have so many good events happening in the downtown area. Eight, 10, 15 thousand people with no problems, and we have Symphony Hall," Mayor Sarno said.

With the holiday season upon us, the timing could not be any better.
Game time for the Springfield Armor's first home game is 7 p.m. They take on Iowa Friday, Nov. 27 at the MassMutual Center. For the complete schedule, log on to www.armorhoops.com.