In 2005, Southwest Basketball, LLC led by David Kahn was granted permission by the recently rebranded NBA Development League (NBA D-League) to operate four new teams.[1] Southwest Basketball then purchased and relocated three existing franchises while launching one expansion team, the Fort Worth Flyers.[2] The team introduced its logo of a blue capital "F", reminiscent of a biplane, over a basketball.
The team began play in 2005–06 as an expansion franchise with Sam Vincent as coach. They were the D-League's regular season champions, finishing 28–20, but lost the championship game to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds by a score of 119–108. Vincent left after the season and was succeeded by Sidney Moncrief.
The following season, they finished in third place in the Eastern Division with a 29–21 record and lost the Eastern Division semifinal game to the Sioux Falls Skyforce 128–105.
The team did not return for the 2007–08 season as they were not profitable for Southwest Basketball, LLC. There was talk of the Flyers moving to Reno, Nevada, and of the D-League placing another team in Fort Worth, citing their proximity to the Dallas Mavericks.[3] The D-League returned to the metroplex in 2010 with the Texas Legends, affiliated with the Mavericks.
Season-by-season
Season
Division
Regular season
Playoffs
Finish
Wins
Losses
Pct.
Fort Worth Flyers
2005–06
1st
28
20
.583
Won Semifinals (Roanoke) 87–78 Lost D-League Finals (Albuquerque) 119–108
