Posted by Lacking a major league level sports team has not kept us from enjoying professional sports here in Portland, Maine. From the early years of the Maine Mariners, Portland Windjammers, and Maine Guides, Portland sports fans have always enjoyed athletics and the success of local Mainers while traditionally maintaining loyalty to the Boston area pro sports teams. Thanks to our love of sports, the fans in the area have witnessed a flurry of great athletes play in the Greater Portland area thanks to the Portland Seadogs, Portland Pirates, and Lewiston Maineiacs, and the visiting opponents. Sidney Crosby, David Ortiz, Josh Beckett, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, and various other athletes have spent time in Portland and amazed the great fans and athletic enthusiasts who may not always get down to Fenway Park, The Garden, or Gillette Stadium to enjoy a game.
The Stanley Cup even visited Portland in 2007, as the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, the one-time parent franchise of the Portland Pirates, hoisted the trophy in the NHL and recognized Portland’s efforts in helping them bring home the Cup with a number of former Pirates on the championship team. Cheers to Portland, the sports fans of Maine for supporting their teams and continuing the opportunity to see sports live at such a high level of play. http://www.portlandpirates.com, http://www.portlandseadogs.com , http://www.lewistonhockey.com
Portland recently added a NBA Development League Franchise named the “Maine Red Claws” for the 2009-2010 season. What another great opportunity for Maine basketball fans to see players affiliated with NBA teams play and develop before our eyes and hopefully one day suit up in the NBA. You know the D-League as it’s referred to produced 15 percent of the rosters of the 2007-2008 season. For more information on the new Maine team check out http://www.nbamaine.com