Birmingham Squadron Overview
The Birmingham Squadron is a professional basketball team competing in the NBA G League. The team is affiliated with the New Orleans Pelicans and plays its home games at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Founded in 2019, the franchise began as the Erie BayHawks before relocating to Birmingham in 2021. Owned by the New Orleans Pelicans under Governor Gayle Benson, the Squadron represents a significant investment in player development for the NBA franchise. The team sports red, gold, and navy blue colors and maintains partnerships with Pearl River Resort and NEEZO Studios. The Squadron serves as a critical pipeline for developing talent within the Pelicans organization.
The team name and visual identity reflect both local heritage and the Pelicans connection. The “Squadron” designation was chosen to honor Alabama’s military aviation legacy, including the Tuskegee Airmen of the 99th Pursuit Squadron. The team logo incorporates a star reminiscent of the Birmingham flag while incorporating cultural elements from both Birmingham and New Orleans.
Founding and Organizational Origins
On March 30, 2017, the New Orleans Pelicans announced plans to establish an owned-and-operated NBA G League team in the Gulf South region by the 2018-19 season. The organization began evaluating 11 potential cities across Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. By August 2017, the search narrowed to two finalists: Pensacola, Florida, and Shreveport, Louisiana. When Shreveport’s city council declined to approve construction of a new arena in September 2017, Pelicans general manager Dell Demps stated that the organization was putting its G League expansion efforts on hold pending the right circumstances.
On October 24, 2018, the Pelicans announced plans to establish their G League affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama, with play expected to begin at Legacy Arena by 2022. The plan included a $125 million renovation to Legacy Arena. While those renovations were underway, the Pelicans needed an interim home for their affiliate. The Atlanta Hawks had relocated their G League team from Erie, Pennsylvania, to College Park, Georgia, creating an opportunity. The Pelicans placed their G League team in Erie for the 2019-20 season, operating as the Erie BayHawks.
Growth Into NBA G League Competition
The Erie BayHawks became the official affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans beginning with the 2019-20 season. Ryan Pannone, who had served as an assistant on the Pelicans Summer League staff, was named head coach in August 2019. He led the BayHawks to a 13-30 record in that first season, though the campaign was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team returned for a shortened 18-team season held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in 2021 and qualified for the playoffs, losing to the Lakeland Magic in the quarterfinals 139-110.
On April 8, 2021, Erie Basketball Management, LLC announced it could not secure another NBA partner for the 2021-22 season and ceased operations. Longtime BayHawks president Matt Bresee was honored with the Team Executive of the Year Award that summer in recognition of his contributions to the franchise during its time in Erie.
Birmingham Squadron Competitive Journey
The Birmingham Squadron’s competitive history spans from the Erie BayHawks era through the team’s establishment in Birmingham and its development into a consistent playoff contender in the NBA G League Eastern Conference.
Early Seasons and Development (2019–2021)
The franchise’s inaugural season as the Erie BayHawks under Pelicans affiliation was defined by rapid organizational development. Pannone’s coaching staff implemented systems aligned with the Pelicans’ NBA philosophy, establishing foundations for player development that would carry forward. Despite the losing record, the coaching staff prioritized developmental minutes for young players. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-20 season, disrupting the team’s momentum.
The 2021 bubble season at Walt Disney World provided valuable playoff experience. Facing competition against established G League franchises, the BayHawks demonstrated competitive growth despite the quarterfinal exit. This playoff appearance validated the organization’s developmental approach and built confidence for the upcoming Birmingham transition.
Breakthrough in Birmingham (2021–2026)
Following the completion of extensive renovations to Legacy Arena, the franchise officially relocated to Birmingham and became the Birmingham Squadron in 2021. The Squadron played its first home game in Birmingham on December 5, 2021, against the Mexico City Capitanes in front of nearly 5,000 fans, falling 123-114. Despite the opening loss, the enthusiastic crowd response signaled strong community interest in the franchise.
The Squadron qualified for the playoffs in their Birmingham debut season but fell to the Texas Legends 115-100 in the first round. The team finished ranked second in the NBA G League in attendance, demonstrating strong fan engagement in the Alabama market. Following the season, head coach Ryan Pannone was promoted to join Pelicans head coach Willie Green’s staff in New Orleans full-time. Assistant coach T.J. Saint was elevated to replace him as head coach.
Under Saint’s leadership, the Squadron navigated challenges in the 2022-23 season, finishing with an 11-21 regular-season record and placing 12th in the Western Conference. The team missed the playoffs but continued building its operational infrastructure. In March 2021, the organization had hired David Lane as general manager to oversee the Birmingham transition, providing executive stability for the franchise’s new chapter.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2021–Present)
The Birmingham Squadron operates under the umbrella of New Orleans Pelicans ownership with David Lane serving as general manager and Joe Barrer as head coach. The organization plays home games at Legacy Arena, a newly renovated facility that provides modern amenities for players and fans alike. The team continues wearing red, gold, and navy blue uniforms, with Pearl River Resort appearing on home jerseys as the primary sponsor.
As the Pelicans’ sole G League affiliate, the Squadron maintains a direct pipeline for player development. The relationship allows the Pelicans to evaluate prospects in a professional environment while giving Squadron players exposure to NBA-level coaching philosophy and systems. This integration creates opportunities for two-way players to develop before potential NBA call-ups.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The Birmingham Squadron operates with a player-first developmental philosophy aligned with the New Orleans Pelicans organization. The team emphasizes skill development, tactical execution, and professional preparation. The partnership with the Pelicans provides access to advanced training resources and analytical support. The franchise values competitive intensity while maintaining focus on long-term player growth over short-term results.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
The Squadron’s history includes several significant milestones since relocating to Birmingham. The first home game on December 5, 2021, marked the franchise’s official debut in Alabama with nearly 5,000 fans in attendance. The team achieved second-ranked league attendance in its inaugural Birmingham season, demonstrating immediate community support. The playoff appearance in 2021-22 validated the organization’s competitive readiness following the transition. The coaching transitions from Ryan Pannone to T.J. Saint represented periods of organizational evolution while maintaining developmental continuity.
Birmingham Squadron Achievements and Results
The Birmingham Squadron has established itself as a competitive franchise in the NBA G League since relocating to Alabama. The team has achieved playoff qualification in its Birmingham era and maintains strong attendance figures. While the franchise has not captured conference or division championships, its primary value lies in player development and its contribution to the New Orleans Pelicans’ organizational depth.
NBA G League Achievements
As an NBA G League franchise, the Squadron has demonstrated competitive viability since its Birmingham launch. The team qualified for the playoffs in the 2021-22 season, its first in Alabama, falling to the Texas Legends in the first-round playoff game. The franchise has maintained attendance figures among the league’s leaders, ranking second in the NBA G League during its inaugural Birmingham season.
Conference Achievements
The Birmingham Squadron competes in the Eastern Conference of the NBA G League. The franchise’s playoff appearance in 2021-22 represented its first postseason berth following the Birmingham relocation. The team continues building toward consistent conference competitiveness under current leadership.
