Overview
- The Pelicans announced their G League team will relocate from Birmingham to Kenner as the Laketown Squadron, with games planned at the 3,700-seat Pontchartrain Center starting in the 2026–27 season.
- The team and the city plan to upgrade the arena before next season with new locker rooms, improved audio and lighting, and larger video boards, with earlier reports describing more than $5 million in expected work that is not yet finalized.
- Executive vice president Joe Dumars said the close distance will align coaching and development and allow quicker roster moves, which makes call-ups, rehab stints, and shared practices easier to coordinate.
- Kenner’s government backed the plan in early February after roughly 18 months of talks, and Mayor Michael Glaser said the team could drive foot traffic and help turn Laketown into a stronger destination.
- The Birmingham chapter ended when the Squadron finished their season on March 27, and team governor Gayle Benson publicly thanked the city’s leaders, partners, and fans for their support.